Kids' Health Insurance (CHIP) 2026: Who Qualifies & How to Apply

CHIP — the Children’s Health Insurance Program — provides free or low-cost health coverage for children and teens whose families earn too much for Medicaid but still need help paying for care. This guide covers who qualifies in 2026, how the income limits work (they are set by each state), what CHIP covers, and how to apply — any time of year.

What Is CHIP?

CHIP is a joint federal and state program that covers medical and dental care for uninsured children and teens up to age 19, according to USA.gov. It works alongside Medicaid: Medicaid covers the lowest-income families, and CHIP reaches higher up the income scale so that children in working families who earn a little too much for Medicaid can still get covered.

Like Medicaid, each state runs its own CHIP program within federal rules, so the exact income limits, benefits, and name of the program differ from state to state. But the promise is the same everywhere: comprehensive, affordable coverage for kids.

Who Qualifies for CHIP?

CHIP is for children and teens up to age 19 whose family income is too high for Medicaid but within their state’s CHIP limit. As USA.gov puts it, “If your income is too high for Medicaid, your child may still qualify for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).”

Whether your child qualifies depends mainly on:

• Age — children and teens up to age 19
• Household income — measured against your state’s CHIP limit (explained below)
• Household size — larger families can qualify at higher incomes
• Being uninsured — CHIP is for children who do not have other health coverage

CHIP qualifications, as USA.gov notes, “are different in every state. In most cases, they depend on income.” Because states set their own cutoffs, the same income can qualify a child in one state and not in another.

CHIP Income Limits for 2026

There is no single national income limit for CHIP — each state sets its own. Federal law establishes a floor: Medicaid.gov and the CMS CHIP fact sheet explain that states may cover children up to the higher of 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL), or 50 percentage points above the state’s Medicaid income level — and many states have chosen to cover children at even higher income levels.

Applying that 200% baseline to the 2026 federal poverty guidelines gives these approximate yearly income figures for the 48 contiguous states and D.C.:

Household size	2026 federal poverty level	200% of poverty (CHIP baseline)
1	$15,960	about $31,920
2	$21,640	about $43,280
3	$27,320	about $54,640
4	$33,000	about $66,000
Each additional person	+$5,680	+$11,360

These 200% figures are calculated from the verified 2026 poverty guidelines and represent the federal baseline — your state may set its limit higher. In fact, HealthCare.gov notes that in most states, children up to age 19 with family income up to about $80,000 a year (for a family of four) may qualify — though the exact number varies by state. Rather than guess, fill out one application and let your state check your child against its own limit.

What CHIP Covers

CHIP provides comprehensive coverage for children. Benefits generally include:

• Routine “well-baby” and “well-child” check-ups
• Immunizations (vaccines)
• Doctor visits
• Dental care — coverage that helps prevent disease, keep teeth and gums healthy, and treat problems

Medicaid.gov and HealthCare.gov confirm these core benefits. Because each state designs its own CHIP benefits within federal rules, some services — such as vision care — can vary. Your state’s program can give you the full list of what is covered.

How Much CHIP Costs

CHIP is free or low-cost. Routine well-child doctor visits and dental visits are free. Some states charge a modest monthly premium or small copayment for other services, but federal rules cap these so that no family pays more than a small share of its income for children’s coverage. What you pay, if anything, depends on your state and your income.

How to Apply for CHIP

Applying is free, and there is no enrollment deadline — USA.gov says you can apply anytime. There are two ways to apply:

1. Apply through your state’s CHIP or Medicaid agency. This is the most direct route. USA.gov links to a state-by-state directory of where to apply for Medicaid and CHIP.
2. Apply through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Create an account at HealthCare.gov and fill out one application. If it looks like your child qualifies, your information is sent to your state agency, which contacts you about enrollment.

Either way, you fill out one application and your state checks your child for both Medicaid and CHIP — so you do not have to figure out in advance which program fits.

What to have ready. Applications generally ask for your child’s and household’s names and dates of birth, Social Security numbers, proof of income, and citizenship or immigration documents. Exact requirements vary by state, so your state agency will tell you what it needs.

After You Apply

Your state reviews the application and verifies your information. If your child qualifies, coverage can begin quickly, and there is no yearly window to worry about — you can apply the day you need it. CHIP coverage is renewed periodically, so watch for renewal notices from your state and respond on time to keep your child covered.

Getting one benefit often opens the door to others. If your child qualifies for CHIP, your household may also qualify for the Lifeline phone and internet discount — up to $9.25 off your monthly bill. If you are also stretching to cover food or energy costs, see our guides to food stamps (SNAP) and help paying heating and cooling bills (LIHEAP). And if the whole family may need coverage, start with our Medicaid guide — one application checks everyone.

Income figures shown are for 2026 in the 48 contiguous states and D.C.; the 200% figures are calculated from the official federal poverty guidelines, and your state’s exact CHIP limit and covered benefits may differ. Information verified on official government websites as of July 21, 2026.