Can you be a surrogate if you are on Medicaid or government assistance?

• American Surrogacypays $55,000 to $65,000+ (first-time base)

  Cash aid or housing excluded, other programs reviewed: Government cash assistance excluded; Medicaid: cannot stay on Medicaid during the journey, but currently receiving it does not automatically disqualify if there is a realistic plan to transition off

  “You cannot remain on Medicaid while completing a compensated surrogacy with American Surrogacy because the compensation you earn will likely conflict with income eligibility limits.”

  American Surrogacy's own page, read Oct 28, 2026

  Apply
• Circle Surrogacypays $55,000 to $75,000+ (first journey, base from $55,000 plus benefits)

  Cash aid or housing excluded, other programs reviewed: Cash assistance, welfare, public housing and Section 8 excluded; other programs (including Medicaid) case by case

  “You cannot participate in certain government aid programs, including cash assistance, welfare, public housing, and Section 8.”

  Circle Surrogacy's own page, read Oct 28, 2026

  Apply
• ConceiveAbilitiespays $75,000 (up to, first journey, by state and income (includes a limited-time $10,000 bonus))

  Reviewed individually, not excluded: Medicaid or other financial assistance: typically yes; depends on program

  “Typically, yes. When you apply, we will talk with you to better understand your financial picture.”

  ConceiveAbilities's own page, read Oct 28, 2026

  Apply
• Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institutepays $60,000 to $70,000 (first-time base ($70,000 in California))

  State or federal aid excluded: Cash assistance, TANF, welfare, public housing and Section 8 disqualify; Medicaid in most cases disqualifies; WIC and SNAP case-by-case

  “Medicaid in most cases disqualifies surrogates since compensation affects income eligibility.”

  Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute's own page, read Oct 28, 2026

  Apply
• Eggceptional Fertilitypays $60,000 to $80,000 (typical; first-time from $60,000)

  Cash aid or housing excluded, other programs reviewed: Certain government aid programs excluded (not itemized)

  “No participation in certain government aid programs”

  Eggceptional Fertility's own page, read Oct 28, 2026

  Apply
• Family Source Consultantspays $55,000+ (base pay, first journey)

  Cash aid or housing excluded, other programs reviewed: Excluded (cash assistance, welfare, public housing, Section 8); Medicaid, SNAP and WIC not named

  “We are unable to accept applicants who are enrolled in certain government programs such as cash assistance, welfare, public housing, and Section 8 housing.”

  Family Source Consultants's own page, read Oct 28, 2026

  Apply
• Golden Surrogacypays $70,000+ (first journey: $50,000 base + $20,000 benefits)

  Reviewed individually, not excluded: Not excluded; individual review

  “Golden reviews financial stability as part of eligibility. Surrogacy compensation may also affect eligibility for certain need-based programs. Applicants receiving assistance should contact Golden for an individual review”

  Golden Surrogacy's own page, read Oct 28, 2026

  Apply
• Modern Family Surrogacypays $70,000 to $90,000 (first journey, before travel and lost-wage stipends)

  Cash aid or housing excluded, other programs reviewed: State cash aid excluded; other programs not addressed

  “Not receiving any State financial aid (cash aid)”

  Modern Family Surrogacy's own page, read Oct 28, 2026

  Apply
• Quest Surrogacypays $45,000 to $65,000 (first-time base $45,000; typical total up to $65,000)

  Cash aid or housing excluded, other programs reviewed: Cash assistance, welfare, public housing and Section 8 excluded; all other government assistance case by case

  “Not participate in government aid programs such as cash assistance, welfare, public housing, and section 8. All other forms of government assistance are to be considered case-by-case.”

  Quest Surrogacy's own page, read Oct 28, 2026 · Works only with gestational carriers who identify as LGBTQ+.

  Apply
• Simple Surrogacypays $58,000 to $63,000 (first journey ($63,000 with maternity coverage))

  Cash aid or housing excluded, other programs reviewed: Cash assistance, welfare, public housing and Section 8 excluded; other government assistance case by case

  “Not be on public assistance (Does not receive cash assistance, welfare, public housing and section 8. All other forms of government assistance will be considered on a case-by-case basis.)”

  Simple Surrogacy's own page, read Oct 28, 2026

  Apply
• Surrogacy4Allpays $50,000 to $65,000 (base pay; total up to $100,000)

  Cash aid or housing excluded, other programs reviewed: Public assistance for housing or income excluded on the requirements page; the Medicaid page says Medicaid enrollment alone is not a barrier

  “you can’t be currently receiving public assistance for housing or income.”

  Surrogacy4All's own page, read Oct 28, 2026

  Apply
• West Coast Surrogacypays $86,000 to $106,000+ (total compensation (highest for experienced California surrogates))

  State or federal aid excluded: State or federal financial aid excluded; programs not itemized

  “Not be receiving state or federal financial aid”

  West Coast Surrogacy's own page, read Oct 28, 2026

  Apply

Babytree Surrogacy, Growing Generations, Hatch, Ivy Surrogacy, Northwest Surrogacy Center, Patriot Conceptions, Physician's Surrogacy. Their pages did not answer this when we read them; ask the agency before you rule it in or out.

These are the rules each agency publishes for an application. Every agency then screens medically and psychologically, and the fertility clinic that does the embryo transfer sets its own limits, which can be stricter or looser. Where an agency's pages disagree with each other, both statements are shown.

First-time surrogate pay, agency by agency, with what each figure covers and a check of which agencies you qualify for: how much surrogates get paid, and by state.