There’s no single income limit for Wisconsin Medicaid. That’s the first thing to understand before you go looking for “the number.” Your eligibility hinges on your age, household size, pregnancy status, whether you have kids in the home, disability status, Medicare enrollment, and which Medicaid program actually applies to your situation.
BadgerCare Plus is another name for “Wisconsin Medicaid.” That’s what most people call it. Its money rules started on February 1, 2026. They will stay the same until January 31, 2027. Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services uses something called the federal poverty level to make these rules. This is a number the government uses to check how much money people need to live.
Quick 2026 Wisconsin Medicaid Income Chart
For the standard adult BadgerCare Plus category, the monthly income limit sits at 100% of FPL:
| Household size | Monthly adult limit | Annual 100% FPL |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,330 | $15,960 |
| 2 | $1,803.33 | $21,640 |
| 3 | $2,276.67 | $27,320 |
| 4 | $2,750 | $33,000 |
| 5 | $3,223.33 | $38,680 |
| 6 | $3,696.67 | $44,360 |
| 7 | $4,170 | $50,040 |
| 8 | $4,643.33 | $55,720 |
| 9 | $5,116.67 | $61,400 |
| 10 | $5,590 | $67,080 |
| Add a household member beyond ten, and the 100% FPL adult threshold climbs by $473.33 a month. | ||
| Treat these numbers as a screening tool, not a verdict. Wisconsin DHS is upfront about this: the only real way to know if you qualify for BadgerCare Plus is to apply. |
Also See Medicaid Income Limits for Every State — Medi Benefits Guide
Which Wisconsin Medicaid Income Limit Applies to You?
The right limit depends on who you are and which program you’re being measured against.
Adults and Childless Adults
BadgerCare Plus covers Wisconsin residents ages 0–64 who meet the program’s requirements. Standard adults are measured against 100% FPL.A single adult’s monthly threshold lands at $1,330. A household of four sits at $2,750. Having a job won’t automatically disqualify you. Wisconsin still runs your situation through the applicable income rules and other eligibility factors.
Parents and Caretakers
Parents and caretaker relatives sometimes face different eligibility rules than other adults. Household composition matters here — don’t assume you can just add up everyone’s income and land on the right answer.
Report every person who belongs in your household when you apply. That’s how Wisconsin figures out your correct assistance group.
Children
Kids qualify at much higher income levels than adults do. For 2026, children and pregnant people fall under a 306% FPL threshold in BadgerCare Plus. A household of four tops out at $8,415 a month under that limit. There’s also a 201% FPL premium threshold for children’s coverage, depending on circumstances — $5,527.50 monthly for a household of four.
Here’s what that produces in real households: a parent who doesn’t qualify under the standard adult limit, sitting in the same home as a child who absolutely does qualify for BadgerCare Plus. Pregnancy shifts the threshold considerably.
Wisconsin DHS says that for pregnant people and kids, you can earn a lot more money and still get help. The limit is called 306% FPL.
Here’s what that means in dollars each month:
- 1 person: $4,069.80
- 2 people: $5,518.19
- 3 people: $6,966.61
- 4 people: $8,415
What Is the Federal Poverty Level?
FPL is a federal income benchmark used across a wide range of health and public-benefit programs. Wisconsin’s 2026 table puts 100% FPL at $15,960 annually for one person and $33,000 for four. Different programs apply different percentages of that baseline. You’ll run into numbers like 100%, 120%, 135%, 200%, 250%, or 306% FPL while researching this. Don’t assume they all point to the same program — they don’t.
What Counts as Income for Wisconsin Medicaid?
People ask this constantly: does Wisconsin Medicaid count gross income or net income? There’s no one answer. It changes by category. Most BadgerCare Plus categories run on MAGI — Modified Adjusted Gross Income — rules. Household composition, tax relationships, earned income, self-employment income, and other income sources all factor into that calculation.
SSI-related Medicaid works differently. Wisconsin DHS deducts certain credits from monthly gross income before comparing what’s left against the applicable limit. Countable income can include wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security, unemployment compensation, and other sources. When you apply, Wisconsin wants job income and other income — including Social Security or unemployment — laid out clearly.
Does Wisconsin Medicaid Count Savings and Assets?
Again — depends on the category. Most MAGI-based BadgerCare Plus applicants face different asset rules than seniors and people with disabilities do under SSI-related Medicaid. For SSI-Related Medicaid specifically, Wisconsin DHS sets the asset limit at $2,000
for an individual and $3,000 for a married couple. That program layers its own income calculations and credits on top of the asset test.
Certain assets get excluded under program rules. Having money in the bank doesn’t automatically knock you out of every Wisconsin Medicaid program.
What If Your Income Is Slightly Over the Limit?
Being over one threshold doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Different Wisconsin Medicaid categories run on different financial tests. Seniors and people with disabilities, for instance, may qualify under SSI-related Medicaid or
another program with its own rules entirely. Some people have access to a deductible or other pathway, depending on circumstances. Sitting just above a BadgerCare Plus limit? Apply anyway. Let Wisconsin sort out which programs fit.
Wisconsin Medicaid for Seniors and People With Disabilities
People 65 and older, along with those who are blind or disabled, often get evaluated under SSI-Related Medicaid instead of standard BadgerCare Plus adult rules. For 2026, SSI-related Medicaid income limits land at $1,330 monthly for an individual and $1,803.33 for a married couple, after applicable credits are applied. Asset limits mirror the numbers above: $2,000 and $3,000.
Other programs worth knowing about include the Medicaid Purchase Plan (MAPP) and Medicare Savings Programs — QMB, SLMB, SLMB+, and QDWI. Each runs its own financial rules. Don’t confuse them with the standard BadgerCare Plus table.
What Happens If Your Income Changes?
Report the change. Don’t assume your coverage stays put on autopilot. Wisconsin manages benefits through ACCESS and your county or Tribal agency. The MyACCESS app handles certain tasks and document uploads, but l applications, renewals, and most changes still route through ACCESS or your agency directly. Keeping your income and household details current now saves you headaches at renewal time.
How to Apply for Wisconsin Medicaid or BadgerCare Plus
Wisconsin DHS gives you several ways in.
Apply Online
ACCESS is the state’s system for BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid, FoodShare, and other benefits — DHS calls it the fastest, easiest route.
Apply by Phone
Call your local county or Tribal agency during office hours.
Apply by Mail
Paper forms exist for BadgerCare Plus and the various Medicaid categories.
Apply in Person
Walk into your local county or Tribal agency. Before you start, gather birth dates, Social Security numbers, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, household members, job income, other income, and employer information.
What About the 2027 Medicaid Work Requirement?
A real change is coming for some BadgerCare Plus members in 2027. Wisconsin DHS confirms a new federal work requirement kicks in for new applicants starting January 1, 2027. Most current members won’t hit it until renewals beginning in March 2027. It targets BadgerCare Plus members ages 19–64 who aren’t pregnant, aren’t disabled, and don’t have a dependent child living with them at least 40% of the time.
Qualifying activities include working, volunteering, participating in certain work programs, or attending school. Earning at least $580 in monthly income can also satisfy the requirement in a given month. Plenty of exemptions exist beyond that.
This work requirement stands apart from the 2026 income-limit table — separate rule, separate timeline.
FAQs About Wisconsin Medicaid Income Limits
What is the Wisconsin Medicaid income limit for one person in 2026?
$1,330 per month, or $15,960 annually at 100% FPL, for the standard adult BadgerCare Plus category.
What is the Wisconsin Medicaid income limit for a family of four?
$2,750 per month under the standard adult limit. Children and pregnant people in that same household may qualify under much higher thresholds.
Can I get BadgerCare if I work full time?
Possibly. A job alone doesn’t decide it — Wisconsin weighs the applicable income rules alongside other requirements. Apply through ACCESS for an actual determination.
Does Medicaid count Social Security income?
It can, though treatment varies by category. Wisconsin’s application asks you to report Social Security and other income regardless.
Does Wisconsin Medicaid count savings?
Depends on the program. SSI-related Medicaid has hard asset limits. MAGI-based BadgerCare Plus categories run on different rules.
Can children qualify when their parents are over the adult Medicaid limit?
Yes. Children’s BadgerCare Plus thresholds sit well above the standard adult category.
How often do I have to renew BadgerCare?
Renewal timing is case-specific. ACCESS and your local agency handle the scheduling and process.
Where can I get help with Wisconsin Medicaid?
Your county or Tribal agency handles eligibility, enrollment, changes, and verification. Wisconsin DHS also runs ForwardHealth Member Services at 800-362-3002 for questions about benefits and covered services.
Conclusion
Wisconsin’s 2026 Medicaid money rules aren’t just one number. They change depending on who is asking. If it’s just one grown-up, they can make up to $1,330 each month. If it’s a family of four, they can make up to $2,750. Kids and moms who are expecting a baby get to make a lot more money and still qualify. And older people or people with disabilities follow a whole different set of rules.
The current BadgerCare Plus limits hold from February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027. Given how much income, household size, assets, and program category can shift your outcome, use these figures as a starting point — then let ACCESS give you the real answer.
Official Resources
- Apply for BadgerCare Plus Now — ACCESS Wisconsin
- Check 2026 Income Guidelines — Wisconsin DHS
- Find Answers to Common Questions — BadgerCare Plus FAQ
- Get Help by Phone — ForwardHealth Member Services
Disclaimer: This article is only meant to give general information and does not count as an official decision about who qualifies or as professional legal guidance. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, along with the relevant county or Tribal office, are the ones who actually decide who qualifies for Medicaid and BadgerCare Plus.
About Naseer
Naseer has 10+ years of experience creating informative content and researching medicare topics. He focuses on simplifying Medicaid and benefits details to support readers find clear, reliable, and easy-to-understand guidance.