Activities that count for Medicaid work requirements

You can meet the monthly requirement through different types of qualifying activities. You may be able to combine different activities to meet the requirement.

An activity that counts in one state may not count in another state. Check your state’s rules before you count an activity toward your monthly hours.

Qualifying activities that count toward the monthly 80-hour Medicaid work requirement may include:

  • Work: Working for an employer or working for yourself
  • Education: Attending college, completing a GED program, or participating in certain other educational programs
  • Job training: Participating in certain job-training programs
  • Community service: Volunteering or completing community service with a public or nonprofit organization

If you are meeting the requirement by working, you may need to earn a minimum wage for the work to count. Your state Medicaid office can tell you if your work activity counts.

Find your state Medicaid agency

Keeping track of hours and activities

Keep track of the activities you complete and the hours you spend on them each month. Your state Medicaid office may ask you to provide this information when you report your hours.

What should I track?

Use our reporting log to easily keep track of your activities and hours. For each activity, record:

  • The activity you completed
  • The date you completed it
  • The number of hours you completed
  • Your employer, school, training program, or organization, if applicable

Make sure to check your state’s rules to find out if you must use a specific form to track your activities.

What documents or records should I keep?

Keep documents that support the activities and hours you track. Your state may ask you to provide these documents when you report your hours.

Depending on the activity, you may need records such as:

  • Pay stubs or other proof of earnings
  • A work schedule or timesheet
  • A letter or other record from your employer
  • School or training records
  • Records from a volunteer or community service organization
  • Other documents your state accepts

Keep your records somewhere you can find them if your state asks you to provide them. 

Your state Medicaid office can tell you which records it accepts and how long you should keep

How to report hours

Follow your state’s instructions for reporting Medicaid work requirement hours. Your state sets the reporting schedule and deadlines. You may need to report your hours when you apply for Medicaid, renew your coverage, or at another time set by your state.

In general, states must give you 30 calendar days to show that you met the requirement or that the requirement did not apply to you. Medicaid coverage must generally continue during this 30-day response period.    

Your state’s Medicaid program will tell you where to submit your information and any documents it requires.