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Income and asset limits
Most people must have income below certain amounts to qualify for Minnesota Health Care Programs. Different programs use different rules to count income. It is important to tell us about all income you receive. Besides income, some people have asset limits, too. There are different asset limits for different people and programs.
Income limits
How much income can I have and still qualify for a health care program?
How much income you can have and still qualify depends on:
- The program you qualify for
- Your age
- Your family size
- Your pregnancy or disability status.
To find the category that best describes you or your family, see the Income and Asset Guidelines (DHS-3461A) (PDF).
Can I still get coverage if my income is more than the limit?
You may be able to get Medical Assistance (MA) coverage even if your income is more than the limit. Some people whose income is more than the limit may still get coverage using a spenddown (DHS-3017) (PDF). A spenddown lets you deduct certain medical expenses from your income. MA will pay for covered services when your income is at or below the income limit after deducting these medical expenses.
Asset limits
Assets are things like cars, checking and savings accounts, your home and financial investments. In most cases, your home and one car do not count against the asset limit.
How many assets can I have and still get coverage?
To qualify, the maximum value of assets that you can have depends on:
- The program you qualify for
- Your age
- How many people are in your household
MinnesotaCare and some bases of eligibility for Medical Assistance (MA) do not have an asset test. This means a person’s assets are not counted to decide if the applicant qualifies.
A basis of eligibility for MA is a grouping of people based on a set of factors. A person’s basis of eligibility determines the rules and limits to qualify for MA. People who qualify for MA under the following bases of eligibility do not have an asset test:
- Pregnant women
- Infants under age 2
- Children 2 – 18 years old
- Children 19 – 20 years old
- Adults without children ages 21 through 64
- Parents and caretaker relatives
To find the asset limit for the category that best describes you or your family, see the Income and Asset Guidelines (DHS-3461A) (PDF).
If you have more assets than the limit allows, call your county or Tribal office to learn about other options available to you.
If I get coverage, will the state put a lien on my house?
A lien is a claim the state makes on your house to get paid back for health care costs the state paid for your care. We may file a lien against your house if all of the following are true:
- You live in a hospital or long-term care facility, such as a nursing home.
- You are not expected to return home.
- Your spouse or certain other family members are not living in your house.
The state may also make a claim against your estate, or your spouse's estate, if you received MA on or after age 55. Ask your county or Tribal office if the state or county will file a lien.