Short answer: Texas CHIP covers children under 19 whose family income is above the Children’s Medicaid limit and at or below 201% of the federal poverty level, which is $5,528 per month for a family of four for 2026.
HHSC’s CHIP limit (201% FPL, effective March 1, 2026) by family size, per month:
- Family of 2: $3,625
- Family of 3: $4,577
- Family of 4: $5,528
- Family of 5: $6,479
Income is measured as MAGI household income after the standard five-percentage-point disregard. CHIP is for children who are not eligible for Medicaid; a child under the Medicaid limit for their age goes to Medicaid instead. CHIP also requires that the child not be covered by other health insurance when CHIP starts, and it charges an income-based enrollment fee and copays.
Many two-paycheck families assume they earn too much for CHIP. Run the numbers: a family of four earning about $66,000 per year may still be under the line.