Medicaid Eligibility

• Some groups automatically are eligible for Medicaid, the state-administered program that covers medical costs for low-income families. Examples are children under age 6, as well as pregnant women, whose household income is no more than 133 percent of the designated federal poverty level. Also, children under age 19 can receive Medicaid if their family's income does not exceed the federal poverty level. States also might allow other groups to qualify for Medicaid, such as infants under age 1 and pregnant women who do not meet the criteria for mandatory coverage and whose family incomes are less than 185 percent of federal poverty standards.
  
  

Federal Poverty

• The federal government each year designates the poverty level based on household size. In 2010, for example, the federal poverty level for a family of four was $22,050. A family of four could make no more than that amount for children under 19 to receive Medicaid. It could make no more than $29,326.50 -- 133 percent of the limit -- for children under age 6, as well as pregnant women, to be eligible for Medicaid. It could make no more than $40,792.50, or 185 percent of the limit, for infants under age 1 and pregnant women to be eligible according to the optional rules.
  
  

Unemployment Benefits

• If you qualify for unemployment benefits, your weekly benefit rate depends on your state of residence and the amount of earnings you made from employment during a period leading up to your benefit claim. According to the File Unemployment website, the average weekly payout in 2009 was about $300 per recipient. Unemployment benefits are typically available for no more than 26 weeks, but through 2011, benefits are available in all states for at least 60 weeks based on federally funded extensions.
  
  

Calculations

• Based on a weekly rate of $300, your payout for the year would be $15,600. This would qualify you for Medicaid based on 100 percent of the federal poverty level for families of three or more; based on 133 percent of federal poverty for families of two or more; and based on 185 percent of federal poverty for families of all sizes. However, higher unemployment benefit rates would increase your difficulty in meeting Medicaid income guidelines. In addition, other family members' income factors into the equation.