2026 Income and Resource Levels for Medicaid Have Been Adjusted Along with Special Income Standard for Housing By Ronald Fatoullah and Stacey Meshnick.
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026 GIS 26 MA/05
Maximum Community Spouse Resource Allowance $162,660*
Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Spousal Income Allowance $4,066.50
Home Equity Limitation $1,130,000**
Medicaid Income and Resource Limits
| SINGLE | COUPLE | |||
| 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | |
| Monthly Income Limit | $1,800 | $1,836 | $2,433 | $2,489 |
| Resource Limit | $32,396 | $33,038 | $43,781 | $44,796 |
* Minimum of $74,820 or one-half of the married couple’s resources, up to a maximum of $162,660.
**The limitation does not apply if a spouse or a minor, blind or disabled child is residing in the home.
SPECIAL INCOME STANDARD FOR HOUSING EXPENSES – UPDATED FOR 2026
The Special Income Standard for Housing Expenses (SISHE) in New York Medicaid allows individuals transitioning from nursing homes or adult homes to community-based long-term care to retain a higher amount of monthly income to pay for housing costs. To be eligible for the special income standard for housing, an individual must have a housing expense. This includes rent, a mortgage, or room and board. This income standard prevents “excess income” from forcing individuals back into institutional care.
| New York City (All boroughs) | $1,828 |
| Northern Metropolitan Area (includes Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange, Dutchess, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties) | $1,380 |
| Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk Counties) | $2,104 |
| Central Region | $439 |
| Northeastern Region | $567 |
| Rochester Region | $505 |
| Western Region | $402 |