Iowa Hawki (Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa / CHIP)
Last updated September 26, 2026 · By O.B.
Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (Hawki) is Iowa’s Children’s Health Insurance Program. Iowa says children who meet its rules may be eligible for low-cost coverage. Iowa HHS makes the final decision.
What does Hawki cover?
Hawki covers services such as checkups, immunizations, doctor and hospital visits, dental, vision, and prescriptions for eligible children.
2026 Hawki income guidelines — medical
These are yearly countable income figures from Iowa HHS’s published 2026 Hawki income guidelines. The table includes Iowa’s Medicaid column because it appears in the state’s own table.
| Family size | Medicaid free up to | Hawki free | Hawki $10/child | Hawki $20/child |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $26,654 | $26,655–$28,888 | $28,889–$38,783 | $38,784–$48,199 |
| 2 | $36,139 | $36,140–$39,168 | $39,169–$52,585 | $52,586–$65,353 |
| 3 | $45,624 | $45,625–$49,449 | $49,450–$66,388 | $66,389–$82,506 |
| 4 | $55,110 | $55,111–$59,730 | $59,731–$80,190 | $80,191–$99,660 |
| 5 | $64,596 | $64,597–$70,011 | $70,012–$93,992 | $93,993–$116,814 |
| 6 | $74,081 | $74,082–$80,292 | $80,293–$107,795 | $107,796–$133,967 |
| 7 | $83,567 | $83,568–$90,572 | $90,573–$121,597 | $121,598–$151,121 |
| 8 | $93,052 | $93,053–$100,853 | $100,854–$135,400 | $135,401–$168,274 |
A federal rule may extend the top income tier slightly
Federal Medicaid/CHIP rules require states to disregard an amount equal to 5 percentage points of the federal poverty level when deciding whether someone qualifies under the single highest MAGI-based income tier available to them (42 CFR 435.603(d)(4), applied to CHIP via 42 CFR 457.315(a)). Hawki's $20-per-child tier (302% FPL) is Iowa's highest MAGI-based children's income tier, so a family whose income is a little above the published ceiling may still be found eligible for it. For a family of one, 5 percentage points of the 2026 federal poverty guideline ($15,960) is $798, so the effective ceiling may be about $48,997 rather than the published $48,199. This does not move the boundaries between the free, $10, and $20 tiers — it only affects whether a family above the published $20 tier's own ceiling can still qualify for that tier. We have not confirmed with Iowa HHS whether this disregard is applied automatically to Hawki applications; ask Iowa HHS if your income is close to the limit.
Monthly premiums have a family cap
At the $10 per child per month tier, no family pays more than $20 per month.
At the $20 per child per month tier, no family pays more than $40 per month. For example, four children at $20 each would be $80, but the family cap means the total is $40 per month.
Dental-only coverage
A dental-only pathway exists with $5, $10, or $15 per child per month premium tiers. Its income bands differ from the medical table. We have only verified the medical table above, so we are not reproducing the dental income bands here. See the official PDF or Iowa HHS for dental-only figures.
How to apply
You can apply for Hawki through Iowa Health and Human Services online, by mail, or in person. You may need to provide proof of income, residency, and your child’s information.
What we could not verify
These are Iowa HHS’s published 2026 guidelines. Countable income is not the same as gross pay, and Iowa HHS decides what income counts and whether a child may be eligible.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Hawki cost?
Based on yearly countable income and family size, coverage may be free; or $10 per child per month capped at $20 per family; or $20 per child per month capped at $40 per family.
What is the difference between Hawki and Medicaid?
Iowa’s published table shows Medicaid and Hawki income ranges. Iowa HHS decides which program, if any, a child may be eligible for.
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