Do I Qualify for Covered California?

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Covered California, you must meet ALL of these requirements:

• Live in California - Must be a California resident (not just visiting)
• U.S. Citizen or lawfully present - Must have qualifying immigration status
• Not currently incarcerated - Cannot be serving a sentence in prison or jail
• Not eligible for Medicare - Under age 65 or not on disability Medicare
• No affordable employer coverage - Or employer coverage doesn't meet minimum value standards

California Residency Requirement

You must be a California resident to enroll in Covered California. This means:

• You live in California and intend to stay (not just visiting or temporarily present)
• California is your primary place of residence
• You have a California address where you receive mail

What Counts as Proof of Residency?

• California driver's license or ID card
• Utility bill with California address
• Lease or mortgage agreement
• Pay stub showing California address
• Bank statement with California address

Recent Movers

If you just moved to California, you become eligible for Covered California immediately. Moving to California triggers a Special Enrollment Period, allowing you to enroll outside of open enrollment. You have 60 days from your move date to enroll.

Citizenship and Immigration Status

You must be a U.S. citizen or have qualifying immigration status to enroll in Covered California.

Who Qualifies:

• U.S. citizens (born in the U.S. or naturalized)
• U.S. nationals
• Lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
• Refugees and asylees
• DACA recipients (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
• Other qualified immigration statuses (TPS, U-Visa, etc.)

DACA Recipients

As of 2024, DACA recipients are now eligible for full Covered California coverage with subsidies. This is a major change—DACA recipients can now enroll in the same plans as U.S. citizens and get the same financial help.

Income Requirements

There is no upper income limit for Covered California, but your income determines whether you qualify for subsidies:

Income Ranges for 2026 (Individual)

• Below $20,783 (138% FPL): Qualify for Medi-Cal (free coverage)
• $20,783 - $69,400 (138-460% FPL): Qualify for Covered CA with subsidies
• Above $69,400 (460% FPL): Qualify for Covered CA without subsidies (full-price)

Even if your income is too high for subsidies, you can still enroll in Covered California and benefit from comprehensive ACA coverage that cannot deny you for pre-existing conditions.

What Income Counts?

Covered California uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), which includes:

• Wages and salaries
• Self-employment income
• Social Security benefits (taxable portion)
• Investment income and capital gains
• Rental income
• Unemployment benefits

Special Cases & Exceptions

Employer Coverage

You may still qualify for Covered California even if your employer offers insurance if:

• Employer coverage costs more than 9.12% of your household income (not affordable)
• Employer coverage doesn't meet minimum value standards (covers less than 60% of costs)
• You're only offered coverage for yourself, not family members

Medicare Eligibility

If you're eligible for Medicare (age 65+ or on disability), you cannot enroll in Covered California. However, you can purchase Medicare supplement plans.

Mixed-Status Families

Family members can have different eligibility. For example:

• U.S. citizen children can enroll even if parents are undocumented
• DACA recipients can enroll even if other family members cannot
• One parent on Medi-Cal, other parent and children on Covered California

Students

College students can remain on parent plans until age 26, but can also enroll in their own Covered California plan if they prefer or if parent coverage isn't available.