New York Medicaid work requirements (2027): key facts

When do New York's new Medicaid work requirements start?

New Medicaid rules start January 1, 2027.

The rule starts January 1, 2027, but it reaches you at your Medicaid renewal. If your next renewal is March 1, 2027 or later, that renewal is when you must meet the requirement or show it doesn't apply to you. If your next renewal is February 1, 2027 or earlier, you won't have to until the renewal after that, in late 2027 or early 2028. Log in to your NY State of Health account and open the Plans tab to find your date.

Who has to meet the 80-hour rule?

About 2 million New Yorkers will need to show 80 hours a month of work, community service, or a work program — or half-time school enrollment — to keep Medicaid. But many people are exempt.

The rule only covers adults 19 to 64 who don't have (and aren't eligible for) Medicare. Being enrolled in Medicare Part A or Part B takes you out of this rule. So does being entitled to Part A, even if you never signed up.

What counts toward the 80 hours?

Working, doing community service, or being in a work program 80 hours a month counts. So does being enrolled in school at least half-time, or earning at least $580 a month.

Work, community service, training, school credits, and income all combine toward 80 hours — earning $580 works out to the same 80 hours at the federal minimum wage. Half-time school enrollment on its own also satisfies the requirement, regardless of hours.

Earning at least $580 in a month also counts. Seasonal workers can average their income over time — ask an assistor how.

The $580 is household income, not only yours — if you are married to someone who also has to meet this rule, New York adds your income together for both of you. Wages, self-employment, gig work, tips, unemployment, Social Security, SSDI, and pensions count. SSI, veterans' disability payments, workers' compensation, child support, gifts, and loans do not.

Who is exempt from New York's Medicaid work requirements?

Many people are exempt. You likely do not have to report 80 hours a month if any of these apply to you:

Pregnant or recently pregnant

This counts no matter how the pregnancy ended, including miscarriage or stillbirth. New York says it will not ask for medical proof of pregnancy or postpartum status.

Medicaid through disability or SSI

New York's official notice exempts people who are enrolled in Medicaid because of a disability, or who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Parent or caregiver

Caring for a young child or a disabled person is exempt. This includes grandparents and other relatives raising children, and family members caring for a disabled adult. If you're related to them, you don't need to live together. If you're not related and don't live with them, you need to provide at least 80 hours a month of care. More than one caregiver in the same household can qualify.

Health condition or disability

This includes many chronic illnesses and mental health conditions. New York has not yet published which conditions qualify, or how it will decide whether a condition makes the requirement hard to meet — the state says details are coming. If this might apply to you, raise it on your application or renewal, keep your medical records handy, and ask a free assistor for help.

Substance use treatment

People in substance use treatment or rehabilitation programs are exempt.

SNAP household, subject to its work rule

This includes either of SNAP's work rules — the general one or the time-limited one. Being subject to SNAP's rule is enough; you don't need to separately prove hours for Medicaid.

Meeting TANF work requirements

This is Family Assistance specifically, not New York's separate Safety Net Assistance program for childless adults — Safety Net alone doesn't qualify for this exemption.

Currently in foster care

This exemption applies at any age if you're currently in foster care.

Former foster youth, under 26

This covers former foster youth who exited NY foster care between 18 and 21 and were enrolled in Medicaid when they left, as long as they're still under 26 now.

American Indian or Alaska Native

American Indian and Alaska Native people are exempt. If you get care through the Indian Health Service, a tribal clinic, or an urban Indian health program and aren't sure whether you count, ask NY State of Health.

Veteran with total disability

Either path qualifies — a 100% VA disability rating, or a determination of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU), whether permanent or temporary.

Recent incarceration

People who are incarcerated, or who were released within the last 3 months, are exempt.

Based on your answers, you likely do not have to report 80 hours a month. But you may need to prove your exemption, so don't ignore letters from the state.

Are there short-term hardship exceptions?

If you're hospitalized, live in a county with a declared disaster or very high unemployment, or must travel far for serious medical care, ask about short-term hardship exceptions.

What should I do now to keep my Medicaid?

Most people who lose coverage under rules like these lose it to paperwork, not to the requirement itself. These steps, in order, protect you.

1. Update your contact info today. The state can only warn you if it can reach you. Update your address, phone, and email with NY State of Health (or your county Department of Social Services if you enrolled there). This is the single most important step.
2. Find your renewal date — it sets your deadline. The rule starts January 1, 2027, but it reaches you at your Medicaid renewal. If your next renewal is March 1, 2027 or later, that renewal is when you must meet the requirement or show it doesn't apply to you. If your next renewal is February 1, 2027 or earlier, you won't have to until the renewal after that, in late 2027 or early 2028. Log in to your NY State of Health account and open the Plans tab to find your date.
3. Read every letter, text, and WhatsApp message. NY State of Health says it will send a notice by September 30, 2026, by mail or email, to people these rules may apply to, explaining what to expect and what to do. If you don't get one, the rules may not apply to you — but keep your contact info current and keep reading everything they send. Any message may have a deadline inside.
4. Find out if you're exempt. Use the free 2-minute check at 80hoursny.org. If you might be exempt, start gathering proof now: medical records for a health condition, a child's birth certificate, treatment program enrollment, or benefit letters.
5. Track your hours — or your enrollment. If you must comply, keep records every month: pay stubs, volunteer and program logs, and — if you're a student — proof of at least half-time enrollment, which satisfies the rule by itself. Earning at least $580 in a month counts too. The counter at 80hoursny.org shows where you stand.
6. Say yes to automatic verification if offered. NY may be able to confirm your work or school status using existing records, so you don't have to send anything. If you're given the option to opt in to data matching, consider it.
7. If you get a warning notice, act by its deadline. If the state can't confirm you meet the rule, it will send a notice explaining what it needs and giving a clear deadline to respond before anything changes. Respond fast, and get free help if you're unsure (see the Get help tab).
8. Renew every 6 months starting 2027. Starting January 1, 2027, most adults 19–64 must renew Medicaid every 6 months instead of once a year. Missing a renewal is now twice as easy — put a reminder in your phone.
9. If you lose coverage, you can come back. Being disenrolled is not permanent. The state will warn you at least 15 days before coverage ends, and if it does end, you have 90 days to send your information and have it reviewed. You can also reapply at any time. One thing to know: if you lose Medicaid only because of this rule, you can't get tax credits for a NY State of Health plan — so a free assistor's help is worth it.

What happens if I lose Medicaid coverage?

Being disenrolled is not permanent. The state will warn you at least 15 days before coverage ends, and if it does end, you have 90 days to send your information and have it reviewed. You can also reapply at any time. One thing to know: if you lose Medicaid only because of this rule, you can't get tax credits for a NY State of Health plan — so a free assistor's help is worth it.

Where can I get free help in New York?

You never have to figure this out alone, and none of these services cost anything.

• NY State of Health. The official marketplace. Update your info, ask about your notice, and manage your coverage. Open Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 9am–1pm. TTY: 1-800-662-1220. Your notice may list 1-855-329-8850 — that is also NY State of Health. 1-855-355-5777 nystateofhealth.ny.gov
• NYC Health Department insurance assistors. Free help for New York City residents, in multiple languages, with the new requirements. 347-665-0214
• Community Health Advocates. Free statewide helpline for health coverage problems, appeals, and denials. 888-614-5400
• Your county Department of Social Services. If you enrolled in Medicaid through your county (not NY State of Health), update your information and ask questions there. 1-800-541-2831
• Certified enrollment navigators. Free in-person experts across the state, trained on the new rules. Find one through the NY State of Health website. Find an assistor

Is 80 Hours NY a government website?

80 Hours NY is a free educational tool. It is not legal advice, not a government website, and not connected to NY State of Health or any agency. Rules described here are current as of September 2026 and may change — always confirm your situation with NY State of Health at 1-855-355-5777. Your answers in this app are never saved or sent anywhere.