Medicaid Income Eligibility Requirements in Alabama

A family or individual must meet income requirements in order to qualify for Medicaid. Alabama offers different categories of Medicaid, including for children of varying ages or pregnant women; Medicare or SSI (Supplemental Security Income); and for individuals with limited income or other special circumstances. Each of these categories has its own income limit.

Medicaid for pregnant women and children is known as SOBRA Medicaid. The income limit for SOBRA varies according to the age of the children and family size. As of January 2010, the Alabama Medicaid Agency puts the income limit at 133 percent of the federal poverty level for pregnant women and children under the age of 6. This is calculated on a monthly basis, after deductions. Therefore, the income limit for a family of 1 is $1,201 per month; a family of 2 is $1,615; a family of 3 is $2,030; and a family of 4 is $2,444. For children, ages 6 to 19 years of age, the family income limit is 100 percent of the federal poverty level. As of 2010, this puts the income limit at $903, $1,215, $1,526 and $1,838 for a family of 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively.

Medicare and SSI beneficiaries can qualify for Medicaid through their respective programs. According to the Social Services Administration, in 32 states and the District of Columbia, an individual qualifies for Medicaid if he qualifies for SSI benefits. When applying for SSI, a person is also applying for Medicaid in these states and the District of Columbia. In order to apply for Medicaid through SSI, the blind, the aged (age 65 or older) and the disabled must not exceed income limits of $694 per month for individuals and $1,031 per month for couples. Resource limits also apply. Resources (such as cash, savings, mutual funds, time deposits and real estate) cannot exceed $2,000 per month for individuals and $3,000 for couples. Qualified Medicare beneficiaries have an income limit of $923 for individuals and $1,235 for couples, while Specified Low Income Medicare beneficiaries have income limits of $1,103 and $1,477 for individuals and couples, respectively.

Adults who are not blind, aged or disabled may also qualify for Medicaid, according to the Alabama Medicaid Agency. Healthy adults may qualify, but there are income limitations. Income after deductions must not exceed $111, $137, $164 and $194 per month for families of 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Deductions include a $90 work deduction (per wage earner), child support costs and daycare costs. Other circumstances for which one may qualify for Medicaid include having HIV/AIDS, mental retardation, the need to live in a nursing home or the need to live with technological assistance. The income limit for these special circumstances is $2,022 per month, and the resource limit is $2,000 per month.