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 limit: Under $2,982 per month
• Asset limit: $2,000 in countable assets under federal rules. However, Pennsylvania applies an additional $6,000 disregard, raising the limit to $8,000 for most applicants. This is one of the more generous state-level adjustments in the country, and many practitioners (and even some caseworkers) miss it. The combined $8,000 limit applies to countable assets
• 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: Aug. 2026. If you are reading this significantly after that date, confirm key provisions with current statute text or contact our office.