Work requirements
Starting Jan. 1, 2027, some adults with Medical Assistance may need to meet new work reporting and community engagement requirements to get or keep coverage.
This change generally applies to adults ages 21 to 64 who do not have dependent children, are not pregnant, are not eligible for Medicare and do not qualify for Medical Assistance based on a disability. It does not apply to everyone. Many people may already meet the requirement or qualify for an exemption. The biggest risk is missing a notice, proof request or deadline. Someone could lose coverage even if they still qualify.
Do work requirements apply to me?
This change applies to adults seeking to enroll or enrolled in MA who:
- Are age 21 to 64
- Do not live with their children under age 19
- Are not pregnant
- Do not have MA based on disability
You are not affected if you:
- Get MA coverage based on a disability
- Are a parent living with your children under age 19
- Are 65 or older
- Are 20 or younger
- Are pregnant
Ways to meet work requirements
You can meet work requirements by:
- Receiving earned or unearned income of at least $580 in one month, no matter how many hours were worked
- Being a seasonal worker with average monthly earnings of $580 over the previous six months, no matter how many hours were worked
- Working at least 80 hours in one month at a job or in your own business
- Doing community service or volunteering at least 80 hours in one month
- Participating in a work program at least 80 hours in one month
- Attending school or an apprenticeship at least half-time
- Meeting any combination of the above for a total of 80 hours in one month
Exemptions from work requirements
You may be exempt from work requirements if you are:
- An American Indian or Alaska Native
- In a household that gets Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and are subject to SNAP work rules
- Meeting work requirements for the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)
- Participating in a drug or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program
- Medically frail: You are living with a serious, complex, or chronic medical condition, or getting regular therapy or treatment.
- A caregiver of a disabled individual
- A veteran with a disability rated as total
- Currently in jail or prison
- Recently released from jail or prison
- Recently received care in a hospital, nursing facility, psychiatric hospital or similar setting
- Traveled outside your community to get medical care for yourself or your dependent
- Lived in a county with a federally declared emergency (like a natural disaster)
- Lived in a county with a high unemployment rate (8 percent or 1.5 times the national unemployment rate)
Do this now if work requirements will apply to you
Get help
You can get free help from a navigator. Visit mnsure.org/help/find-assister