Medicaid › Work requirements

Medicaid work requirements, made simple.

Sometimes, getting health insurance means you have to show that you are working, volunteering, or going to school. This is called a work requirement. You don’t have to figure it out alone. We got you.

See if you qualify Read the detailed rules

At a glance

80 hours a monthof work, school, job training or volunteering

Ages 19–64and many people are excused

By Jan 1, 2027when most states must start (some may start sooner)

Working or volunteering 80 hours a month

is the new rule for many adults on Medicaid.

How they work

To keep your free health insurance through Medicaid, you might need to show that you are working, going to school, or volunteering every month. If you meet the rules, you stay covered. If you can’t, there are many reasons you might be excused (called an exemption).

You might have to renew more often to show you still meet the rules. And at renewal, you may be able to show you met the rules in the past to keep your coverage.

If you live in a state that did not expand Medicaid, the rules and how they affect you might be different.

The rules don’t apply to everyone!

These rules generally apply to adults between 19 and 64 years old. People who are pregnant, caring for young children, or living with a disability are usually excused. Fabric Health will help you find out if you qualify!

See everyone who’s excused

Always free

We do the paperwork. You stay covered.

You shouldn’t have to become an expert in Medicaid just to get the help your family qualifies for. That’s our job. A Fabric specialist helps you apply, tracks your case, and stays with you through the end.

Fabric will tell you if you qualify

Going a bit deeper

The detailed rules for Medicaid

If you want the exact details on the new requirements, here is a closer look at the federal rules. (1,4)

The hoursAt least 80 hours a month of working, going to school at least half-time, job training, or volunteering. Earning at least $580 a month also counts.

Who must complyAdults ages 19 to 64 who get Medicaid through the adult (expansion) group and aren’t on Medicare.

When it startsStates must start by January 1, 2027. Some states may start earlier.

More frequent renewalsStates may ask you to renew or report more than once a year to show you still meet the rules.

Past months can countWhen applying, you show at least one month before you apply. At renewal, a month since your last renewal can keep you covered.

State differencesHow the rules work varies by state. States that did not expand Medicaid may have different rules.

Who’s excused

You are excused from the Medicaid work requirement if you are: (1,2,3)

Age 65 or older, or on Medicare
Age 18 or younger
Earning at least $580 a month (before taxes)
Pregnant, or postpartum
A parent or caregiver of a child 13 or younger, or of someone with a disability
Living with a disability or a serious health condition that makes it hard to work
A veteran with a total disability rating
Former foster youth under age 26
In jail or prison, or released in the last 3 months
In a drug or alcohol treatment program
Already meeting SNAP or TANF work rules
American Indian or Alaska Native

Remember, whether you are applying for the first time, renewing coverage, or figuring out what you qualify for, Fabric walks you through it from start to finish.