California Medi-Cal Asset Limits for 2027

On July 1, 2027, the individual asset limit for affected Medi-Cal programs is scheduled to fall from $130,000 to $21,000.

Reviewed August 25, 2026 using published California Department of Health Care Services guidance.

When the new limits begin

Through June 30, 2027, the published limit is $130,000 for one person, plus $65,000 for each additional household member up to ten. Beginning July 1, 2027, the lower limits shown above apply. Income rules are separate and have not been replaced by the asset-limit change.

Who may be affected

DHCS identifies people age 65 or older, people with disabilities, nursing-home residents, and certain families whose eligibility is not based on the federal tax rules as groups that may be subject to the asset test. Not every Medi-Cal member is evaluated under the same financial rules.

Assets that commonly count

Cash and bank accounts
More than one home
More than one vehicle
Other financial resources that are not excluded by program rules

Assets DHCS says may not count

The home in which the member lives
One vehicle
Household items and personal belongings
Retirement funds that are making regular payments

Exempt for eligibility does not necessarily mean free from every other issue. Estate recovery, transfer rules, tax consequences, title, and the needs of a spouse must be analyzed separately.

Why families should not make rushed transfers

Giving away property or retitling accounts can create a period of ineligibility for long-term-care coverage, as well as tax, creditor, divorce, control, and family-conflict risks. California is phasing transfer review toward a full 30-month look-back for long-term-care applications and entry on or after July 1, 2028.

What to do before July 2027

Identify which family members are subject to an asset-tested Medi-Cal category.
Prepare a current asset, income, title, and beneficiary inventory.
Separate countable assets from potentially exempt assets.
Review the needs and protections of a spouse or disabled family member.
Compare lawful spending, exempt-asset, insurance, care, trust, and transfer strategies.
Document the plan before changing ownership.

Official source and related guidance

Read the official DHCS Medi-Cal changes page. For individual planning, visit our California Medi-Cal planning attorney guide, long-term-care planning guide, and Medi-Cal estate recovery guide.