Medi-Cal Lookback and Asset Limits in California

Quick answer: the current California framework

DHCS says California began counting assets again on January 1, 2026 for specified Medi-Cal groups, including many people who are 65 or older, have a disability, live in a nursing home, or qualify outside the federal tax-based rules.

Through June 30, 2027, DHCS lists a general asset limit of $130,000 for one person, plus $65,000 for each additional household member, up to ten people. Starting July 1, 2027, DHCS says the general limits are scheduled to change to $21,000 for one person, $31,000 for two people, plus $1,550 for each additional household member, up to ten people.

Those numbers do not tell you whether your household qualifies. Not every household member counts the same way, some programs use different financial rules, some assets are not counted, and spouses or registered domestic partners may have additional protections. Income rules remain separate.

For nursing-home long-term care, DHCS also describes a 30-month lookback for assets transferred before entering the facility. Transfers before January 1, 2026 are not counted under the current DHCS description; transfers on or after that date may create a penalty that delays long-term-care coverage.

Do not transfer property based on this summary. Full-value sales, transfers to certain protected people, spousal rules, timing, and the type of care all affect the result.

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Asset limits and the 30-month lookback are different questions

An asset limit asks how much countable property a person may own and remain eligible for a particular Medi-Cal category. A lookback asks whether certain property was transferred for less than fair value before nursing-home long-term care.

A household can be under an asset limit and still have a transfer question. It can also own property above a general limit while some of that property is excluded or protected under a rule that requires individual review. Treating the two concepts as interchangeable leads to costly mistakes.

Who the asset test may affect

DHCS identifies these broad groups in its current public FAQ:

• People age 65 or older.
• People with a physical, mental, or developmental disability.
• People living in a nursing home.
• Families whose income is too high for the federal tax-based eligibility rules.

This is not a complete program chart. County eligibility workers apply the rules to the actual application or renewal.

Counted and non-counted assets: examples, not a personal answer

DHCS gives examples of assets that may count, including cash, bank accounts, second vehicles, second homes, and other financial resources. It also gives examples that generally are not counted, including the main home where the person lives, the main vehicle, household belongings, and retirement funds when regular payments are being received.

Labels are not enough. How an account is titled, whether a residence remains the main home, who lives there, whether retirement payments are being taken, and which Medi-Cal category applies can change the analysis. A website list is not a substitute for a county determination or legal advice.

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What the 30-month lookback means for nursing-home care

DHCS currently says that when a person moves into a nursing home, Medi-Cal reviews assets given away during the 30 months before entry into the facility. A transfer for less than fair value made on or after January 1, 2026 may cause a penalty that delays long-term-care coverage.

That does not mean every transfer creates a penalty. DHCS identifies examples that can be treated differently, including transfers to a spouse, to someone helping a spouse, or to a blind or disabled child, and sales for full value. Other exceptions and proof requirements may apply.

The safe lesson is simple: do not make a gift, change title, add a joint owner, or move money because someone online called it “Medi-Cal planning.” The transfer date, value received, recipient, care setting, and program category all matter.

Spending for your own needs is not the same as giving property away

DHCS distinguishes spending down on the applicant’s own needs from giving assets away. Its public examples include paying medical bills, rent or mortgage, education, home repairs, and debts. Whether a proposed expense is appropriate, documented, and consistent with the household’s broader plan still deserves review.

Keep records. Bank statements, receipts, contracts, appraisals, deeds, and explanations of transfers can matter when the county asks what happened.

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Spousal protections and the home require individual review

DHCS says some married couples and registered domestic partners may qualify for higher protections under spousal impoverishment rules. A nursing-home resident may also be able to allocate assets to a spouse or partner under program rules.

The main home may be non-counted when the applicant plans to return, or when a spouse, partner, or dependent relative lives there. A second home generally presents a different issue. Ownership, occupancy, equity, intent to return, transfer history, and estate-recovery exposure are separate questions.

Do not confuse eligibility with estate recovery. An asset may be non-counted during life but still raise a title, probate, or estate-recovery question after death. Read Medi-Cal Estate Recovery in California for that separate framework.

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A practical preparation list before asking for advice

Gather these items for the meeting:

• Recent bank, brokerage, retirement, and insurance statements.
• Deeds and property-tax records for real estate.
• Vehicle titles and loan balances.
• Dates, recipients, and documents for recent gifts or transfers.
• Existing living trust, will, powers of attorney, and health care directive.
• Information about the spouse or partner, household members, and current care setting.
• Medi-Cal notices, renewal documents, and county correspondence.

Do not send sensitive financial or medical details by ordinary email. Bring them to a secure attorney meeting.

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How CBM approaches Medi-Cal planning conversations

CBM Estate & Trust Law starts with the household’s facts, current DHCS guidance, and the family’s care and estate-planning goals. We do not promise eligibility, prescribe a transfer from a webpage, or treat one asset limit as the whole analysis.

Related reading: Medi-Cal planning · Elder law · Estate planning · Medi-Cal estate recovery.

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FAQs

What is the Medi-Cal asset limit in California in 2026?

DHCS states that through June 30, 2027, the general limit for affected programs is $130,000 for one person, plus $65,000 for each additional household member, up to ten people. Program category, household rules, exempt assets, income, and spousal protections can change the result. Confirm the current rule with DHCS and the county.

Is California changing the asset limit again?

Yes. DHCS says new general limits are scheduled for July 1, 2027: $21,000 for one person, $31,000 for two people, and $1,550 for each additional household member, up to ten people. Because implementation guidance can change, verify before relying on those future figures.

What is the Medi-Cal lookback period in California?

DHCS currently describes a 30-month review of assets given away before a person enters a nursing home. Transfers before January 1, 2026 are not counted under the current DHCS FAQ; transfers on or after that date may delay long-term-care coverage. Exceptions and valuation rules are fact-specific.

Can I give away assets to get under the limit?

Do not make a transfer based only on an online summary. DHCS warns that giving away assets for less than fair value may delay nursing-home long-term-care coverage. Transfers to a spouse, certain protected family members, or a full-value buyer may be treated differently. Get advice first.

Does my home count?

DHCS says the main home may be non-counted when the person plans to return or when a spouse, partner, or dependent relative lives there. A second home may count. Title, occupancy, care setting, and later estate recovery are separate issues.

Does CBM guarantee Medi-Cal eligibility?

No. Eligibility depends on current law, agency guidance, program category, income, assets, transfers, household facts, and documentation. A consultation is a way to review those facts, not a guarantee.

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Next step

If long-term care may be needed, bring the asset and transfer records above to a fact-specific consultation before changing title or making gifts. Request a free 60-minute consultation or call (805) 915-4793.

This guide is general educational information as of October 4, 2026. It is not legal advice, a Medi-Cal eligibility determination, or a promise about benefits, penalties, or estate recovery. DHCS and county implementation can change. Attorney advertising.