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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop S2-26-12 Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850 CMCS Informational Bulletin DATE: FROM: April 27, 2026 Dan Brillman Deputy Administrator, CMS Director, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services SUBJECT: Updated 2026 SSI and Spousal Impoverishment Standards This Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) Informational Bulletin (CIB) provides an update on the 2026 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Spousal Impoverishment Standards. Certain Medicaid income and resource standards are adjusted annually in accordance with changes in the SSI federal benefit rate (FBR) and the Consumer Price Index (CPI). These include some of the standards described in section 1924 of the Social Security Act (the Act), which describes the financial eligibility rules (the “spousal impoverishment rules”) that apply when married individuals seek coverage of certain long-term services and supports. While some of the spousal impoverishment standards, such as the maximum community spouse income maintenance allowance and community spouse minimum and maximum resource allowances, are adjusted each January, section 1924 of the Act directs that the community spouse’s minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance (MMMNA) be adjusted, in accordance with changes to the federal poverty level, effective July 1 of each year. Additionally, as the community spouse’s monthly housing allowance (which is the basis for determining if the community spouse may have an excess shelter allowance) is calculated based on a percentage of the MMMNA, the housing allowance is adjusted each July 1 as well. Included with this informational bulletin is the revised 2026 SSI and Spousal Impoverishment Standards chart that displays the updated MMMNA and Community Spouse Monthly Housing Allowances. These standards are also available on Medicaid.gov at https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/eligibility/spousal-impoverishment/index.html. Please update your standards in accordance with this information. If you have any questions or need additional information, please send your question to CMCS@cms.hhs.gov.