Delaware Cliff Calculator — 2026 ACA Subsidy

By Severance Calculator Editorial · Updated

Delaware Marketplace: HealthCare.gov

Delaware uses a federally-facilitated marketplace (FFM) called HealthCare.gov. Delaware residents enroll at HealthCare.gov.

Medicaid in Delaware: Delaware Medicaid

Delaware expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Delaware Medicaid covers adults to 138% FPL.

2026 SLCSP Benchmark Premiums (Delaware)

Statewide average monthly second-lowest-cost Silver plan (SLCSP) premiums by age. Actual premiums vary by rating area.

Age2130405060
Monthly SLCSP$470$533$600$838$1,273

2026 ACA Cliff Thresholds by Household Size (Delaware)

MAGI above these amounts zeros out the federal Premium Tax Credit. FPL region: contiguous48.

Household size12345
400% FPL cliff$62,600$84,600$106,600$128,600$150,600

Key Facts: Delaware ACA

Delaware is sometimes mistakenly listed as an SBM-FP (state-based marketplace using the federal platform) state, but for plan year 2026 Delaware operates as a full FFM state — residents enroll at HealthCare.gov. This is an important correction for 2026 planning purposes.

Delaware expanded Medicaid under the ACA effective January 1, 2014, one of the earliest adopters. Adults with MAGI up to 138% FPL qualify for Delaware Medicaid, administered through the Diamond State Health Plan (DSHP) 1115 Demonstration Waiver. Delaware's Medicaid program is administered by the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) within DHSS.

Delaware has not enacted a state-funded premium subsidy backfill for 2026. The federal enhanced PTCs that ran from 2021 through 2025 under the American Rescue Plan expired December 31, 2025, and Delaware residents above 400% FPL receive no premium assistance in 2026. Delaware launched a paid family and medical leave program in 2026 — one of the country's newer state-level benefit programs — though this is distinct from ACA health coverage.

Calculate your Delaware ACA cliff

Inputs default to Delaware; adjust to your household specifics. Cliff = $62,600 (HH=1) / $128,600 (HH=4).

Your situation

Member ages
self

Coverage

Income

You're under the cliff

100%138%200%300%400%

You are at 319% of the federal poverty level.

Annual PTC
$2,220
$185 / month
MAGI headroom before cliff
$12,600
until you hit 400% FPL

PTC dollar values use a state-level SLCSP estimate; verify your exact second-lowest-cost Silver plan on healthcare.gov for your zip.

Primary Sources

  1. Delaware DHSS — Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance
    “Delaware's Medicaid state plan is an agreement between the state and the federal government that describes how Delaware administers its Medicaid program.”

FAQ — Delaware ACA Cliff

What is the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff in Delaware?
For a household of 1, MAGI above $62,600 (400% of the 2025 FPL contiguous-48 base) zeros out the federal Premium Tax Credit under IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-25. Household of 4: $128,600. Delaware has no state subsidy backfill, so crossing this threshold eliminates all premium assistance.
How do I enroll in marketplace coverage in Delaware?
Delaware uses HealthCare.gov (the federal marketplace, FFM) for 2026. Open enrollment runs November 1 through January 15 annually. Outside open enrollment, you need a qualifying Special Enrollment Period. Delaware is not an SBM-FP state in 2026 despite some earlier listings — use healthcare.gov directly.
Does Delaware have a state subsidy on top of the federal PTC?
No. Delaware has no state-funded premium subsidy backfill for 2026. Residents rely entirely on federal APTC, which zeroes out above 400% FPL ($62,600 for HH=1). The American Rescue Plan enhanced PTCs expired December 31, 2025.
What is the Medicaid threshold in Delaware?
Delaware expanded Medicaid under the ACA effective January 1, 2014. Adults with MAGI up to 138% FPL ($22,597 for a single adult in 2026) qualify for Delaware Medicaid (administered through the Diamond State Health Plan DSHP 1115 waiver). Children and pregnant women qualify at higher income levels.
How is SLCSP calculated for Delaware?
The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for Delaware are: Age 21: $470/mo, Age 30: $533/mo, Age 40: $600/mo, Age 50: $838/mo, Age 60: $1,273/mo. These are statewide averages; your specific county may vary ±20–30%. The federal cliff distance (income vs. 400% FPL) is exact regardless of SLCSP precision.
Can I reduce my MAGI to stay below the 2026 cliff in Delaware?
Yes — common strategies include maximizing HSA contributions, deductible IRA or SEP-IRA/Solo 401(k) contributions if self-employed, harvesting capital losses, and deferring Roth conversions to a lower-income year. Because Delaware has no state subsidy above 400% FPL, staying below the federal cliff is especially valuable.

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