South Carolina Cliff Calculator — 2026 ACA Subsidy

By Severance Calculator Editorial · Updated

South Carolina Marketplace: HealthCare.gov

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

Medicaid in South Carolina: Healthy Connections

South Carolina has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Adults above the pre-ACA income limit and below 100% FPL may fall into a coverage gap — they earn too little to qualify for marketplace subsidies (which start at 100% FPL) but do not qualify for Medicaid.

2026 SLCSP Benchmark Premiums (South Carolina)

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

Age2130405060
Monthly SLCSP$460$521$587$821$1,247

2026 ACA Cliff Thresholds by Household Size (South Carolina)

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: South Carolina ACA

South Carolina is one of approximately 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA, leaving a coverage gap for adults earning between 100% and 138% of the federal poverty level. These individuals earn too much to qualify for Healthy Connections (South Carolina's Medicaid program, which covers only traditional categories like children, pregnant women, parents with very low incomes, and people with disabilities) but too little to receive meaningful federal Premium Tax Credits.

South Carolina has not pursued expansion through the standard ACA pathway or any alternative 1115 waiver approach. The state also has not enacted any state-funded premium subsidy backfill for 2026. The enhanced PTCs from the American Rescue Plan expired December 31, 2025, creating premium increases for many South Carolina marketplace enrollees who rely entirely on federal APTC.

South Carolina residents use HealthCare.gov (FFM) for marketplace enrollment. South Carolina's neighbor North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023, making SC's non-expansion status increasingly unusual among Southeast states.

Calculate your South Carolina ACA cliff

Inputs default to South Carolina; 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
$2,064
$172 / 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. KFF — The Coverage Gap: Uninsured Poor Adults in Non-Expansion States
    “97% of those in the coverage gap live in the South.”

FAQ — South Carolina ACA Cliff

What is the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff in South Carolina?
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. South Carolina has no state subsidy backfill, so crossing this threshold eliminates all premium assistance.
What is the coverage gap in South Carolina?
Adults earning between 100% and 138% FPL ($15,650–$20,997 for a single adult in 2026) in South Carolina face a coverage gap. SC has not expanded Medicaid, so they do not qualify for Healthy Connections (SC Medicaid). Those at or above 100% FPL may qualify for federal PTC on the marketplace. Below 100% FPL, lawfully present immigrants may still qualify for PTCs as an exception.
How do I enroll in marketplace coverage in South Carolina?
South Carolina uses HealthCare.gov (the federal FFM marketplace). Open enrollment runs November 1 through January 15. South Carolina has no state-run marketplace. You can apply for Healthy Connections (SC Medicaid) at scdhhs.gov or through a local county office.
Does South Carolina have a state subsidy on top of the federal PTC?
No. South Carolina has no state-funded premium subsidy backfill for 2026. Residents rely entirely on federal APTC, which ends above 400% FPL. The American Rescue Plan enhanced PTCs expired December 31, 2025.
Who qualifies for Healthy Connections (SC Medicaid)?
Healthy Connections covers children, pregnant women, parents with very low incomes, people with disabilities, and some elderly low-income individuals. South Carolina has not expanded Medicaid, so non-disabled adults without dependent children generally do not qualify for SC Medicaid regardless of how low their income is.
How is SLCSP calculated for South Carolina?
The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for South Carolina are: Age 21: $460/mo, Age 30: $521/mo, Age 40: $587/mo, Age 50: $821/mo, Age 60: $1,247/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 South Carolina?
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. Because South Carolina has no state subsidy above 400% FPL, staying below the federal cliff has full dollar impact.

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