Washington Cliff Calculator — 2026 ACA Subsidy

By Severance Calculator Editorial · Updated

Washington Marketplace: Washington Healthplanfinder

Washington uses a state-based marketplace (SBM) called Washington Healthplanfinder. Washington residents enroll at Washington Healthplanfinder — not HealthCare.gov.

Medicaid in Washington: Apple Health

Washington expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Apple Health covers adults to 138% FPL.

State Subsidy Backfill

Cascade Care Savings (restructured for 2026): $55/member/month for federally-subsidized enrollees on Silver/Gold Cascade Care plans; $250/member/month for non-subsidized enrollees. Available up to 250% FPL on Cascade Care plans at Washington Healthplanfinder.

2026 SLCSP Benchmark Premiums (Washington)

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

Age2130405060
Monthly SLCSP$400$454$511$714$1,085

2026 ACA Cliff Thresholds by Household Size (Washington)

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: Washington ACA

Washington is one of four Western states with a state premium subsidy backfill for 2026. As healthinsurance.org confirms: 'Washington runs its own health insurance exchange (Marketplace), called Washington Healthplanfinder.' Washington Healthplanfinder (wahealthplanfinder.org) is a full state-based marketplace (SBM) operating since 2013.

Washington's Cascade Care Savings program was restructured for 2026. The program provides a fixed-dollar monthly benefit for enrollees in Silver or Gold Cascade Care plans — a state-standardized plan design available only on Washington Healthplanfinder. For 2026, healthinsurance.org describes: 'For 2026, most applicants with household income up to 250% of the federal poverty level get an additional $55 per member per month.' Non-subsidized enrollees at or below 250% FPL receive a larger $250 per member per month benefit. Importantly, Cascade Care Savings applies only up to 250% FPL — it does not reach or soften the 400% FPL cliff at $62,600.

Apple Health is Washington's Medicaid program, expanded under the ACA in 2014 to cover adults up to 138% FPL. Washington also expanded Apple Health to a limited number of undocumented immigrant adults starting July 2024.

Calculate your Washington ACA cliff

Inputs default to Washington; 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
$1,152
$96 / 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. healthinsurance.org — Washington Cascade Care Savings 2026
    “For 2026, most applicants with household income up to 250% of the federal poverty level get an additional $55 per member per month”
  2. healthinsurance.org — Washington Healthplanfinder
    “Washington runs its own health insurance exchange (Marketplace), called Washington Healthplanfinder.”
  3. healthinsurance.org — Washington Cascade Care Savings $250/mo non-subsidized
    “For 2026, most applicants with household income up to 250% of the federal poverty level get an additional $55 per member per month from the Cascade Care Savings program”

FAQ — Washington ACA Cliff

What is the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff in Washington?
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. Washington's Cascade Care Savings applies only to households at or below 250% FPL ($39,125 for HH=1) — it does not soften or eliminate the 400% FPL cliff.
What is Cascade Care Savings?
Cascade Care Savings is Washington's state subsidy program available to enrollees in Cascade Care plans (Silver or Gold) at Washington Healthplanfinder. For 2026, federally-subsidized enrollees with income up to 250% FPL receive an additional $55 per member per month. Non-subsidized enrollees at or below 250% FPL receive $250 per member per month. This benefit applies only to Cascade Care plan types available through Healthplanfinder.
What is Washington Healthplanfinder?
Washington Healthplanfinder (wahealthplanfinder.org) is Washington's state-based marketplace (SBM), the only source of federal Premium Tax Credits and Cascade Care Savings for Washington residents. Healthplanfinder has operated since 2013 as one of the original ACA marketplaces. Open enrollment runs November 1 through January 15.
What is Apple Health?
Apple Health is Washington's Medicaid program. It expanded under the ACA in 2014 to cover adults earning up to 138% FPL. Washington also began enrolling a limited population of undocumented immigrant adults in Apple Health starting July 2024. Apply at washingtonconnection.org year-round.
Does Washington have a state subsidy on top of the federal PTC?
Yes — Washington's Cascade Care Savings provides a fixed-dollar benefit ($55/mo for subsidized enrollees; $250/mo for non-subsidized) on Silver/Gold Cascade Care plans for households at or below 250% FPL. This is a state subsidy backfill, but it does not extend to the 400% FPL cliff level and applies only to Cascade Care plan purchasers at Washington Healthplanfinder.
How is SLCSP calculated for Washington?
The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for Washington are: Age 21: $400/mo, Age 30: $454/mo, Age 40: $511/mo, Age 50: $714/mo, Age 60: $1,085/mo. These are statewide averages; King County metro vs. Eastern Washington rural areas may vary. 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 Washington?
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. Washington state has no income tax, so MAGI reduction focuses on federal AGI. Cascade Care Savings doesn't help at the 400% FPL cliff level.

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