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New SNAP and Medicaid Work Rules: Who Needs 80 Hours, Who Is Exempt, and When

By CalculateBenefits Editorial Team · Mark Phaneuf, Publisher
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Paper-cut calendar with small wooden figures marking hours, next to a grocery bag and a plain health card.
Both SNAP and Medicaid work rules center on 80 hours a month of work or other tasks that count.

Many adults under 65 now have work rules for food stamps (SNAP) or Medicaid. The SNAP rule is in place now. The Medicaid rule starts by January 1, 2027. Nebraska started early, in May 2026. Both center on 80 hours a month of work or other tasks that count, such as job training or volunteer work.

Your state runs both programs. It decides who must meet the rules and who is exempt. Details vary by state, so check with your local office.

Do I have to work to get food stamps?

Not always. SNAP has two kinds of work rules.

The first kind covers some people ages 16 to 59 who can work. You may need to take a job offer unless you have a good reason not to. You should not quit a job, or cut your hours below 30 a week, without a good reason. You may also need to join a job program if the state tells you to.

The second kind is a time limit. It covers some adults ages 18 through 64 with no child under 14 at home. They can get SNAP for only 3 months in 3 years, unless they meet the work rule or are exempt.

What are the new work requirements for SNAP?

A federal law passed in July 2025 (Public Law 119-21) changed the time limit. The changes took effect on July 4, 2025. USDA told states to use them right away.

To keep SNAP past 3 months, you can:

People ages 60 to 64 are a special case. They do not have to follow the first kind of rule. A state cannot make them join a job program. But the time limit can still apply to them.

Who is exempt from SNAP work requirements?

You may not have to meet the time limit if you are:

People excused from the first kind of rule include those who:

Veterans, people who are homeless, and former foster youth may still fit another item on this list.

States play a big role. Your state screens each person for exemptions. It can ask USDA to waive the time limit where the jobless rate is over 10%. It can also give a small number of its own exemptions. Ask your SNAP office what applies where you live.

When do Medicaid work requirements start?

States must start the Medicaid rule by January 1, 2027. A state may choose to start sooner. Nebraska started on May 1, 2026. A state can ask for more time if it shows a good-faith effort. Any delay like this must end by December 31, 2028.

The rule covers adults ages 19 to 64 in the Medicaid "adult group," or in a similar state waiver plan. Many people call this group Medicaid expansion. The rule does not apply to people who are pregnant or who have Medicare. As of June 2026, 43 states and Washington, D.C., cover this group. U.S. territories do not have to use the rule.

Do you get Medicaid through another group, such as one for older adults or people with disabilities? Then this rule does not apply to that coverage. Ask your state which group you are in.

Most adults in the expansion group will also renew every 6 months, not once a year. That starts with renewals on or after January 1, 2027.

How many hours do you have to work for Medicaid?

You need 80 hours a month. You can meet it in any of these ways:

Seasonal workers use a different math.

The state checks when you apply and when you renew. It may check more often. New applicants may need to show 1 to 3 months of hours just before the month they apply. People who already have Medicaid must meet the rule for at least 1 month between renewals. The state sets the number of months.

If the state cannot confirm your hours, it must send you a notice. You then get 30 days to show you meet the rule or are exempt. If you do not, the state must check if you qualify for Medicaid another way. If not, your application may be denied or your coverage may end. You can apply again at any time.

Who is exempt from Medicaid work requirements?

CMS, the federal Medicaid agency, lists these groups as exempt:

People who left jail or prison in the past 3 months also count as meeting the rule.

States may also offer short-term hardship breaks. A state that picks this option can count you as meeting the rule if you:

How do the SNAP and Medicaid rules compare?

RuleSNAP time limitMedicaid work rule
Ages18 through 6419 to 64
Hours80 a month80 a month
Parent exemptionChild under 14Child 13 or younger
VeteransNo veteran exemption, but disability pay may countExempt with a total disability rating
Current rules startJuly 4, 2025By January 1, 2027
Who decidesYour state SNAP officeYour state Medicaid office

How can you protect your benefits?

  1. Keep proof of your hours. Save pay stubs, work schedules, and signed volunteer or school records.
  2. Report changes fast. In New York, for example, you must tell the office within 10 days after the month ends if your hours drop below 80.
  3. Ask about exemptions. If a health problem limits your work, ask what proof the state needs, such as a note from your doctor.
  4. Open all mail from SNAP and Medicaid. Answer by the due date. Keep your address up to date.
  5. Ask for a fair hearing if you think a choice about your case is wrong. For SNAP, you can ask within 90 days. If you ask within the time on your notice, your benefits may keep going while you wait. But if you lose, you may have to pay back that extra SNAP. Medicaid notices also explain your hearing rights.
  6. Get free legal help. Groups funded by the Legal Services Corporation give free legal help to people with low incomes in every state. Search for one on LSC.gov. LawHelp.org also has free legal forms.

Lost SNAP because of the time limit? You may be able to get it back. Work or join a program for 80 hours in a 30-day period, or show that you are now exempt. You may also get 3 new months when your state's 3-year period starts over. In New York, a new period starts October 1, 2026.

Applying for SNAP and Medicaid is free. Do not pay anyone who offers to apply for you or to get you an exemption. Only your state can decide your case.

For the basics, read our SNAP guide and our Medicaid guide.

Your next step. The free SNAP screening guide explains what your SNAP office needs to check and how to find the official application route. It does not calculate a SNAP award. All tools →

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