If you have Medicaid, important changes are coming. Starting in January 2027, some adults will need to show that they are working, in school, in a job training program, or doing community service to apply for or recertify their Medicaid coverage.

While not everyone will be asked to show that they are working, in school, in a job training program or doing community service, you may still need to show that work requirements don’t apply to you.

In addition, for some individuals, Medicaid renewals will happen every six months instead of once a year.

The new work requirements apply to some people between the ages of 19 and 64 who have Medicaid.

• Your Medicaid household (which is based on your tax household) has an income of at least $580 month (SSD counts; SSI does not);

OR

• You are going to school at least half time;

OR

• You completed 80 hours a month of one or some combination of:
  • Work
  • A job training program
  • Community service
  • Attending school

You will not have to meet the work requirements if you: 

• Are 65 and older 
• Are 18 and younger 
• Have or are eligible for Medicare 
• Are pregnant or were pregnant within the last 12 months 
• Are the parent or caregiver for a child under age 14 
• Are the caregiver for a person with a disability 
• Are American Indian or Alaska Native 
• Have a serious medical or mental health condition that makes it hard to work 
• Participate in a drug or alcohol treatment program 
• Receive SNAP (food stamps) and are already subject to SNAP work rules 
• Receive cash assistance and meet those work requirements 
• Were released from jail or prison within the last 90 days 
• Are in foster care, or formerly in foster care and under age 26 
• Are a veteran with a total disability 
• Are receiving inpatient care in a hospital or nursing facility 
• Are traveling for serious medical care not available in your community
• Are living in an area where a federal disaster or emergency has been declared 
• Are living in an area with very high unemployment. NYS has determined the Bronx meets this exception. Bronx residents will not be asked to meet work requirements.  

• For new Medicaid applicants, work requirements must be met in the month before they apply.
• For people renewing their Medicaid, work requirements need only be met for 1 month within the 6-month period a person’s Medicaid has been authorized for; they do not have to be met in the month before the recertification is due.

Medicaid Renewals are also changing. Some people between the ages of 19 and 64 will need to renew their Medicaid coverage every 6 months instead of every year. These changes will affect people who apply for Medicaid after January 1, 2027, and people who renew their coverage after March 1, 2027.

• Children
• People who are pregnant or were pregnant within the last 12 months
• People 65 and older
• American Indian or Alaska Native
• People determined to have a disability by NYS or Social Security
• People with state-funded Medicaid (some people with certain immigration statuses have Medicaid paid for by New York State only, rather than by the federal government).

Make sure your mailing address, phone number, and email address are current with NY State of Health. You can do this by visiting NY State of Health online or by calling 855-355-5777.  This will help ensure you receive important notices about your coverage.  

NY State of Health will send notices with important information about your Medicaid coverage and any actions you may need to take. People affected by the new work requirements are expected to receive notification letters. Make sure you read your mail and respond to letters from NY State of Health.

Do not ignore Medicaid renewal forms or requests for information. Missing deadlines could put your health coverage at risk.

Keep seeing your doctors and healthcare providers as needed. If you are unsure whether your Medicaid coverage is active, call NY State of Health or check your account online.

If you have questions about these Medicaid changes, need assistance with a renewal, need help keeping your coverage, or help finding other coverage you may be eligible for, free help is available.

• Contact Navigators and Assistors through the New York State of Health.
• Contact the NYC Health Department’s enrollment counselors: 347-665-0214.

You may still be able to get affordable healthcare. Options are available for uninsured New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. NYC Care and community health centers may be able to help.

If you feel you lost your Medicaid coverage in error, you can reach out to The Legal Aid Society for assistance by calling our Access to Benefits Helpline: 888-663-6880.

The information in this document has been prepared by The Legal Aid Society for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. You should not act upon any information without retaining professional legal counsel.