Healthy Connections Medicaid (South Carolina)
Last updated August 2026
South Carolina Healthy Connections is the state's Medicaid program, covering low-income parents and caretakers, pregnant women, children, and people who are aged, blind, or disabled. There is one hard fact to know up front: South Carolina has not expanded Medicaid, so there is no coverage group for non-disabled adults without children. Apply online at apply.scdhhs.gov, by fax or mail, or at a local county eligibility office.
The children's door is the widest, so start there if you have kids. Children under 19 are covered through Partners for Healthy Children up to 208 percent of poverty, about $2,766 a month for a one-person household size. A child may qualify even when the parents cannot.
Pregnancy coverage reaches higher than parent coverage. Pregnant women and infants are covered up to 194 percent of poverty, about $2,580 a month for a household of one. A separate Family Planning group extends limited services to that same 194 percent line even for those over the full-Medicaid limits.
The hardest number to hear is the parent limit. Parents and caretaker relatives qualify only at very low income, about 62 percent of poverty, roughly $825 a month for a household of one, and they must have a dependent minor child at home. Many working parents fall in the gap above that and below the marketplace subsidy range.
Two more groups have their own paths. Aged, blind, or disabled adults qualify at 100 percent of poverty, about $1,330 a month for one, and the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program covers screening-diagnosed women up to 200 percent.
Even if the adults do not qualify, apply for the children, and check the federal Marketplace at HealthCare.gov, which may offer low-cost plans above these limits. SC Thrive can help you enroll, and 2-1-1 points to community health centers that see patients regardless of coverage.
Phone 1-888-549-0820
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- South Carolina residents who meet the income rules for their group; children, pregnant people, low-income parents, seniors, and people with disabilities each have a pathway
- South Carolina did not expand Medicaid, so low income by itself does not cover most adults who do not have children in the home
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Apply at apply.scdhhs.gov, by fax or mail, or at a county eligibility office.
- 2
If the adults are over the limit, apply for the children through Partners for Healthy Children.
- 3
A pregnant applicant should apply right away; coverage reaches 194 percent of poverty.
- 4
If no one qualifies, check HealthCare.gov for low-cost Marketplace plans.
What to have ready
- Photo ID and Social Security numbers for those applying
- Proof of income and South Carolina residency
- Proof that a child lives with you, for parent or child coverage.
What the application looks like
Common questions
Can a childless adult get Medicaid in South Carolina?
No. South Carolina has not expanded Medicaid, so there is no coverage group for non-disabled adults without children.
What is the income limit for parents?
About 62 percent of poverty, roughly $825 a month for one person, with a dependent minor child at home. This is far below the limits for children and pregnant women.
What about my kids?
Children under 19 are covered through Partners for Healthy Children up to 208 percent of poverty, about $2,766 a month for a one-person size. Apply for them even if the parents do not qualify.
I am pregnant. Can I get covered?
Yes. Pregnant women and infants are covered up to 194 percent of poverty, about $2,580 a month for a household of one.
What if no one in my family qualifies?
Check HealthCare.gov for low-cost Marketplace plans, and ask SC Thrive for help. 2-1-1 can point you to community health centers.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
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