Medicaid Eligibility in Pennsylvania (2026)

Pennsylvania's Medicaid program (officially called Medical Assistance or MA) is administered by the Department of Human Services through County Assistance Offices. To qualify for Medicaid long-term care benefits, an applicant must meet strict financial requirements. If an application has already been denied, the appeal window is 30 days; see our page on Medicaid denials and fair hearing appeals.

2026 Eligibility: Single Nursing Home Applicant

• Income: $2,982 per month or less (300% of the federal benefit rate) for the standard nursing home category. A single applicant with higher income can still qualify through the Medically Needy Only (MNO) category, which deducts the projected private-pay cost of nursing home care from income. In that case the lower asset limit noted below applies.
• Asset limit: $2,000 in countable assets, plus a $6,000 disregard when monthly income is at or below $2,982, for a total of $8,000 for a single applicant in 2026. If income is above $2,982 a month, the limit is $2,400. Confirm the current figures with DHS, which updates them.
• Medical requirement: Must require a nursing facility level of care

2026 Eligibility: Married Couple (One Spouse Applying)

All assets of a married couple count as jointly owned regardless of whose name they are in. Pennsylvania's Spousal Impoverishment Rule protects the non-applicant spouse (the "community spouse"):

• Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA): The non-applicant spouse can retain 50% of the couple's assets, up to a maximum of $162,660 in 2026
• If the non-applicant's half falls below $32,532, they can retain 100% of assets up to $32,532

Countable vs. Exempt Assets

Countable assets include bank accounts, investments, cash, non-exempt real estate, and most other financial resources. Exempt assets generally include:

• The applicant's primary home (generally exempt for an applicant who signs a statement of intent to return home, subject to a $752,000 home equity limit in 2026; the equity limit does not apply when the applicant's spouse, or the applicant's child who is under age 21, blind, or permanently and totally disabled, lawfully resides in the home)
• One vehicle
• Personal belongings and household furnishings
• Prepaid, irrevocable burial arrangements and a small burial fund
• Life insurance with a face value of $1,500 or less per insured person

Medically Needy Pathway ("Spend-Down")

Pennsylvania has a Medically Needy Only (MNO-MA) program for seniors over the income limit. The medically needy income limit is $425/month for an individual. The "spend-down" amount (the difference between monthly income and the MNO limit) acts like a deductible, calculated over a 6-month period. MNO-MA asset limits are $2,400 for an individual.

Legal and factual content on this page was last verified: Sep. 2026. If you are reading this significantly after that date, confirm key provisions with current statute text or contact our office.