Medicaid limits by state › Illinois
Medicaid Long-Term Care Eligibility in Illinois (2026)
To qualify for Medicaid-paid nursing home or long-term care in Illinois in 2026, a single applicant must generally have no more than $17,500 in countable assets and income at or below $1,330 / month. Medically needy / spend-down state.
Illinois 2026 limits at a glance
| Test | 2026 standard in Illinois |
|---|---|
| Countable asset limit (single) | $17,500 |
| Countable asset limit (couple, both applying) | $17,500 |
| Income limit | $1,330 / month |
| Home equity limit | $752,000 |
| Spousal asset allowance (CSRA) | Community spouse may keep between $32,532 and $143,172 of the couple's assets |
| Spousal income allowance (MMNA) | Minimum $2,705/month up to $4,066/month in this state |
| Look-back period | 60 months (asset transfers for less than fair value can cause a penalty period) |
How Illinois treats income
This is a medically needy (spend-down) state: income above the limit can be spent down on medical and care expenses to qualify.
Good to know in Illinois
Illinois updates its standards by fiscal year (April 2026 – March 2027): asset limit $17,500, income limit $1,330 single / $1,803 couple, and a fixed spousal asset allowance of $143,172.
Check your own eligibility
Enter your assets, income and marital status to see whether you pass all three financial tests in Illinois — and if not, by how much, and which lawful pathways exist:
Open the Medicaid eligibility estimator →What does care cost in Illinois?
See median nursing home, assisted living and home care prices for Illinois:
Illinois senior care costs →Sources: 2026 federal Medicaid standards (CMS) and published state standards compiled by the American Council on Aging. This page is a planning estimate, not a determination — only the Illinois Medicaid agency can decide eligibility. Rules change; verify before making financial moves, ideally with an elder law attorney.