What is the Minimum Income for ObamaCare?
What is the minimum income for cost assistance under ObamaCare?
Answer
The minimum income for ObamaCare is 100% of the federal poverty level. The dollar amount of this changes every year, but for 2020 it is $12,490 for an individual and $25,750 for a family of four.
You can check the federal poverty level guidelines each year to figure out what the minimum income level is. Please note that in states that expanded Medicaid, those making under 138% of the poverty level ($17,236 for an individual and $35,535 for a family of four in 2020) qualify for Medicaid.
Also note that the out-of-pocket assistance thresholds are different. See the chart below for more details.
TIP: You'll use the 2019 federal poverty level guidelines to determine 2020 cost assistance for premiums and out-of-pocket costs (see the 2020 guidelines for Medicaid thresholds for 2020; they will be slightly higher than the thresholds listed below).
| Types of Cost Assistance For 2020 | Individual Annual Income | Family of Four Annual Income |
| Medicaid health coverage (if your state decides to offer it) |
Up to $17,236 | Up to $35,535 |
| Help to pay your premium (if you buy in your state's online marketplace) |
Between $12,490-$49,960 | Between $25,750-$103,000 |
| Subsidies for out-of-pocket costs (if you buy a Silver plan in your state's online marketplace) |
Between $12,490- $31,225 | Between $25,750-$64,375 |
NOTE: Alaska and Hawaii use different guidelines (see this link to guidelines as published on HHS.Gov).
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Is there a penalty if I do not reach the income mandate level but keep my coverage for the year. My state does not have Medicaid expansion.
You should pay nothing if you thought you would qualify for credits but then came in under and your state didn’t expand Medicaid.
https://obamacarefacts.com/advanced-tax-credit-repayment-limits/