When do Medicaid work rules start?

42 CFR 435.559 says states must use the rule for coverage on or after January 1, 2027, unless they start sooner. Nebraska DHHS says its rule started May 1, 2026. We did not verify an earlier date for any other state.

Who has to follow the Medicaid work rule?

The June 1, 2026 CMS fact sheet covers non-pregnant adults ages 19 through 64 who are not on Medicare and who are in the Medicaid adult expansion group or in some waiver plans.

The December 8, 2025 CMS bulletin lists caregivers of a child 13 or under, people who are medically frail, some American Indian and Alaska Native people, pregnancy and postpartum coverage, and other groups. The state office decides.

How do I report Medicaid work hours?

Tell the state Medicaid office. CMS does not publish one national form. If the state asks for proof, the June 1, 2026 fact sheet says you get 30 days. Do not type a login on this website.

Do Medicaid work requirements apply in 2027?

Simple answer

The national start is January 1, 2027. Nebraska started on May 1, 2026.

The rule can cover adults ages 19 through 64 in the expansion group. Many people are exempt. This quiz does not save your answers.

How old are you?

Are you pregnant or in the postpartum Medicaid months?

Do you have Medicare?

Do you care for a child age 13 or younger, or for a person with a disability?

Do you have a serious health limit, a disability, or a substance use disorder?

Are you an American Indian, Alaska Native, Urban Indian, or California Indian person under the bulletin's definition?

Does your household get SNAP or TANF and already follow that program's work rule?

Are you under 26 and did you age out of foster care?

Are you a veteran with a total disability rating?

Are you in a drug or alcohol treatment program?

Are you in jail, or were you released in the last 90 days?

Do you already have about 80 hours a month, half-time school, or at least $580 from work in a month?

Simple answer

Type an age to see the rule.

The CMS fact sheet covers non-pregnant adults ages 19 through 64 in the expansion group or in some waiver plans.

How many hours?

The December 8, 2025 CMS bulletin says 80 hours a month of work, community service, a work program, or a mix. Half-time school can also count. The same bulletin's wage example is $7.25 times 80 hours, which is $580 in a month.

How to report

Tell the state Medicaid office. CMS does not publish one national form. Watch your mail. If the state asks for proof, the June 1, 2026 fact sheet says you get 30 days. Do not type a login, a Medicaid ID, or a card number on this website.

Check benefits

This quiz stays on this page. It can include health and family details, so we do not save the answers. It is not an application and it is not a decision.

Where the dates come from

42 CFR 435.559, implementation timing. Last checked 2026-10-16.

CMS fact sheet, Medicaid community engagement interim final rule, dated 2026-06-01. That page says 43 states and Washington, D.C. cover the groups that must use the rule. It does not print the 43 names. Last checked 2026-10-16.

Nebraska DHHS Medicaid work requirements says the Nebraska start is May 1, 2026. The CMS press release dated 2026-06-01 names Nebraska and says other states were considering an early start. We did not verify another early date.

Expansion yes or no on the state pages comes from KFF Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions, as of October 2026. KFF is not a government agency. Last checked 2026-10-15.

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Do Medicaid work requirements apply in 2027?

Type an age to see the rule.

How many hours?

How to report

Where the dates come from

Pick your state

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