Covered California Subsidy Calculator
Big change for 2026: the enhanced federal credits expired, and the old 400% FPL cliff is back — with no gradual phase-out.
The rules changed for 2026. Enhanced federal premium subsidies expired at the end of 2025. Now, a household above 400% of the Federal Poverty Level gets zero federal premium tax credit — not a reduced one. California's new state program fully covers premiums up to 150% FPL and partially helps up to 165% FPL, but there's no state backstop above 400% FPL.
Enter your household size and income to see where you fall relative to the 2026 thresholds.
Covered California Subsidy Calculator
Your 2026 Subsidy Zone
How this is calculated
The tool converts your income into a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level for your household size, then places you into one of four 2026 zones: fully covered by California's state program (at or below 150% FPL), partially covered by the state program (150%-165% FPL), federal premium tax credit eligible with no state supplement (165%-400% FPL), or no premium assistance at all (above 400% FPL).
That last zone is the big 2026 change — before this year, subsidies phased out gradually above 400% FPL; now the credit disappears entirely and abruptly. This tool doesn't calculate an exact dollar subsidy amount, since that also depends on your county's rating region and the specific benchmark Silver plan premium there — get your exact figure at coveredca.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Covered California subsidies change for 2026?
Yes, significantly. The enhanced federal premium tax credits from 2021-2025 expired December 31, 2025 and Congress did not renew them. As of 2026, the old 400% FPL "subsidy cliff" is back — a household earning even $1 over 400% FPL gets zero federal premium tax credit, with no gradual phase-out.
Does California have its own subsidy to replace the expired federal one?
Partially. California created a $190 million state program for 2026 that fully covers premiums for households up to 150% FPL and partially helps those between 150%-165% FPL. There is no state replacement for households above 400% FPL who lost the federal credit entirely.
What if my income is just over 400% FPL in 2026?
You get no federal premium tax credit at all — not a partial one. This is a real cliff, not a phase-out, which is a major change from 2021-2025 rules and can mean a very large premium increase for households just above the line.
How is my subsidy eligibility measured?
By your household income as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for your household size, plus your county's rating region (which affects the benchmark Silver plan premium used in the calculation).
Should I still apply through Covered California even if I might be over 400% FPL?
Yes — it's still worth checking. Household size, income estimates, and the state's partial assistance programs can shift the outcome, and you may still get access to marketplace plans even without a subsidy.
This tool provides an educational estimate only and is not affiliated with Covered California. Get your exact subsidy amount and plan options at coveredca.com, since exact premiums vary by county and plan.