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New York Medicaid work requirements start January 1

Published on November 9, 2026

New York Medicaid applicants ages 19 to 64 must meet new federal work requirements starting January 1, 2027. An applicant may meet the requirement by earning at least $580 a month or by completing 80 hours a month of work, school at least half time, job training or volunteering.1 Many of these adults must also renew coverage every six months instead of once a year.

An applicant who applies before January 1, 2027, or renews before March 1, 2027, receives 12 months of coverage before six-month renewals begin. Exemptions include pregnancy or the 12 months after pregnancy, caring for a child under age 14 or a person with a disability, enrollment in Medicare, and meeting SNAP or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) work rules.1

For the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), New York reset its three-year time limit for able-bodied adults without dependents on October 1, 2026. An adult who lost SNAP between June 1 and September 30, 2026, for not meeting the work rules may reapply at myBenefits.ny.gov, or at access.nyc.gov in New York City.2 New York City residents may call the SNAP hotline at 718-762-7669.3

Sources & notes

Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:

Footnotes

  1. NY State of Health, Changes to Medicaid Coverage , publication date November 2, 2026. ↩ ↩2

  2. New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, SNAP Work Requirements . ↩

  3. New York City Mayor’s Office, SNAP & Medicaid Resources . ↩

  1. Federal judge rules Medicaid medical frailty definition unlawful, October 30, 2026.
  2. NY City to add 10,000 free 2-K seats from fall 2027, October 26, 2026.
  3. Medicaid changes could pressure hospitals, report finds, October 25, 2026.
  4. Medicaid Work Requirements Begin Jan 1, October 25, 2026.