Last Updated: September 1, 2026
How to Report Income Changes to Medi-Cal in California: 2026 Guide
If your income changes while you have Medi-Cal, you should report the change to your County Medi-Cal Office promptly.
Medi-Cal members are generally required to report changes that may affect eligibility, including changes in income, household size, address, employment, or other circumstances.
If your income changes, report it to your County Medi-Cal Office as soon as possible. Many Medi-Cal changes should generally be reported within 10 days. Reporting the change does not automatically mean you will lose Medi-Cal.
1. What Income Changes Should You Report?
You should report income changes that may affect your Medi-Cal eligibility.
Examples include:
- Starting a new job
- Losing a job
- Receiving a raise
- Having your pay reduced
- Changing from part-time to full-time work
- Changing from full-time to part-time work
- Starting or ending self-employment
- A significant change in self-employment income
- Starting unemployment benefits
- Starting Social Security or other income that may affect eligibility
- A spouse or other household member starting or stopping work
Not every dollar you receive is necessarily counted the same way for Medi-Cal. The income rules depend on the Medi-Cal eligibility category that applies to you.
2. How Soon Should You Report an Income Change?
Medi-Cal members generally should report changes that may affect eligibility within 10 days.
Do not wait until your annual renewal if you have a significant change in income or household circumstances.
Reporting changes promptly can help the County keep your eligibility information accurate and reduce problems later.
3. How Can You Report an Income Change?
You can usually report an income change in several ways.
- Online: Through BenefitsCal
- By phone: Call your County Medi-Cal Office
- In person: Visit your local County eligibility office
- By mail: Send documents to your County if allowed
- By fax or email: Some counties accept these methods
The exact methods available can vary by County, so check your County's current instructions.
Keep proof that you reported the change. Save upload confirmations, fax receipts, copies of documents, emails, or notes showing when you called the County.
4. What Information Should You Have Ready?
When reporting an income change, it helps to have the following information ready:
- Your Medi-Cal case number, if available
- Your name and date of birth
- The date your income changed
- Your employer's name and information, if applicable
- Your current hourly wage or salary
- Your normal work hours
- Recent pay stubs
- Self-employment income records, if applicable
- Information about unemployment, Social Security, or other income
The County may not need every item in every case. Submit what is requested or what is relevant to the change you are reporting.
5. What If You Start a New Job?
Starting a new job is an important change to report.
Tell your County:
- Your start date
- Your employer
- Your pay rate
- How often you are paid
- Your expected work hours
- Whether your hours are regular or variable
If you have not received your first paycheck yet, ask the County what documentation it wants. An employer statement or other verification may sometimes be accepted.
6. What If Your Income Changes Every Month?
Some people have irregular income because their hours change, they work seasonally, receive commissions, or are self-employed.
If your income varies, do not assume that one unusually high or low paycheck automatically determines your Medi-Cal eligibility.
The County may look at your current income pattern and other information needed under the Medi-Cal rules that apply to your case.
If your earnings are irregular, explain that clearly and provide records that show the pattern.
7. How Does MAGI Medi-Cal Look at Income?
Many adults, children, parents, and pregnant applicants are evaluated under MAGI Medi-Cal rules.
MAGI stands for Modified Adjusted Gross Income.
For MAGI Medi-Cal, eligibility can involve:
- Current household income
- Expected income
- Tax household relationships
- Which income sources are included under MAGI rules
This is why the amount deposited into your checking account is not necessarily the same number Medi-Cal uses for eligibility.
8. Does Social Security Count as Medi-Cal Income?
It depends on the type of Social Security benefit and the Medi-Cal eligibility category.
For example, Social Security retirement or disability income can affect some Medi-Cal eligibility calculations, while SSI is treated differently under Medi-Cal rules.
If you begin receiving Social Security, SSI, SSDI, retirement income, or another new benefit, report the change and let the County determine how it applies to your case.
9. Does Unemployment Income Count?
Unemployment benefits can affect Medi-Cal income calculations depending on the eligibility category and applicable rules.
If you begin or stop receiving unemployment benefits, report the change to your County.
10. What About Self-Employment Income?
Self-employment income can require more documentation than regular wages.
Depending on your case, the County may ask for:
- Profit and loss records
- Business income records
- Business expense information
- Tax documents
- Bank or payment records related to the business
Do not simply report your total business revenue as personal income without explaining your business expenses and how your self-employment income is calculated.
11. Will a Higher Income Automatically End Your Medi-Cal?
No. A higher income does not automatically mean your Medi-Cal will end.
The County should review your eligibility under the Medi-Cal rules that apply to you.
Depending on your circumstances:
- You may remain eligible for your current Medi-Cal category.
- You may qualify under a different Medi-Cal category.
- Your child may remain eligible even if an adult in the household no longer qualifies.
- You may qualify for another health coverage program.
- You may be referred to Covered California if you are no longer eligible for Medi-Cal.
Do not cancel Medi-Cal yourself simply because your income increased. Report the change and wait for an official eligibility decision from the County.
12. What If Your Income Goes Down?
A decrease in income should also be reported.
This can include:
- Losing your job
- Working fewer hours
- Taking unpaid leave
- Having self-employment income decrease
- Losing another source of income
A lower income could affect your Medi-Cal eligibility, Share of Cost, or other benefit programs.
13. What Happens After You Report the Change?
After you report the income change, the County may:
- Update your case without requesting more information
- Ask for additional income verification
- Review whether you remain eligible
- Review eligibility for another Medi-Cal category
- Send you a Notice of Action if your eligibility changes
Continue using your Medi-Cal according to your current eligibility unless you receive an official notice telling you that your coverage has changed.
14. What If the County Says Your Income Is Too High?
If you receive a Notice of Action saying your income is too high, check the calculation carefully.
Ask the County:
- What monthly income did you use?
- Which household members were included?
- Which income sources were counted?
- Which Medi-Cal category was reviewed?
- Was my updated income information received?
If the County used incorrect information, provide proof of the correct income and ask for the case to be reviewed.
If you disagree with the final decision, review the State Fair Hearing rights on your Notice of Action.
15. What If You No Longer Qualify for Medi-Cal?
If your County determines that you are no longer eligible for Medi-Cal because of income, you may have another health coverage option.
Many people who lose Medi-Cal because their income increased may qualify for coverage through Covered California.
Depending on your household income and other circumstances, financial assistance may be available to help reduce your insurance premium.
Do not cancel or ignore your current coverage until you understand the effective date of any Medi-Cal termination and your new coverage options.
Income Change Checklist
- Write down the date the change started.
- Gather recent income documents.
- Report the change promptly to your County.
- Use BenefitsCal if appropriate.
- Keep proof of your submission.
- Watch for requests for additional documents.
- Read any new Notice of Action carefully.
- Check that the County used the correct income.
- Do not assume increased income automatically ends Medi-Cal.
- Check Covered California if Medi-Cal ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I have to report an income change to Medi-Cal?
Medi-Cal members generally should report changes that may affect eligibility within 10 days.
Will I lose Medi-Cal if I get a raise?
Not automatically. Report the new income and allow the County to review your eligibility. Your result depends on your household, income, Medi-Cal category, and other eligibility rules.
Can I report my income through BenefitsCal?
BenefitsCal can be used for many Medi-Cal case updates. If you cannot complete the change online, contact your County Medi-Cal Office.
Should I report a decrease in income?
Yes. A decrease in income can affect your Medi-Cal eligibility or other benefits, so report significant income changes to your County.
Should I cancel Medi-Cal if my income goes up?
No. Report the change and wait for the County to determine whether your eligibility changes.
Official Resources
- DHCS — Update Your Medi-Cal Information
- DHCS — Medi-Cal Help
- BenefitsCal
- Covered California
- California Medi-Cal County Office Contact Guide
California Benefits Guide is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the State of California, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Medi-Cal, Covered California, or any county agency. This article is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, tax, or official Medi-Cal eligibility advice. Income rules and reporting requirements can depend on your Medi-Cal category and individual circumstances and may change. Always verify your case information with your County Medi-Cal Office or DHCS.