The following information was taking from a News Release email from the Minnesota Department of Human Services dated August 5, 2026

New tool helps people with Medical Assistance prepare for federal work requirements coming in 2027

People with Medical Assistance can find out now if they will need to meet 2027 federal work reporting requirements passed in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act with a new tool from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The tool is available through Aug. 31.

Starting Jan. 1, 2027, some adults may need to meet new work requirements to get or keep Medical Assistance health insurance. 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. Medical Assistance is Minnesota’s Medicaid program.

Work requirements will be verified when Minnesotans apply for Medical Assistance and when they renew their coverage. Renewals will now occur twice a year – or every six months – instead of once a year for these adults.

Medical Assistance enrollees can prepare now for their 2027 renewal by reporting how they expect to meet an exemption from work requirements or how they will complete a qualifying activity. Many people may already meet the requirement or qualify for an exemption.

“Insurance supports people’s overall health, and these new federal administrative barriers will make it harder for some Minnesotans to get and keep Medical Assistance,” said Temporary Commissioner John Connolly. “While most Medicaid recipients already work or meet the requirements in other ways, we are encouraging people to prepare now for the challenges of more paperwork. We want all eligible Minnesotans to keep their coverage.”

Find qualifying activities that meet work requirements and a list of exemptions at https://mn.gov/dhs/work-requirements.

Through Aug. 31, enrollees can use the Renewal Lookup tool at mnrenewallookup.com to report possible exemptions or qualifying activities that meet the requirements. Sharing this information will not affect current coverage, but it may make the 2027 renewal process easier with less paperwork.

Find step-by-step illustrated instructions on how to use the renewal lookup tool at https://mn.gov/dhs/work-requirements.

Medical Assistance enrollees can log into the system by providing basic information. If records indicate an enrollee must meet the new work requirement, the tool will ask if they expect to qualify for an exemption and request details. If an enrollee does not expect to meet an exemption, they will be asked if they expect to complete a qualifying activity within one of the months since their last Medical Assistance renewal. Watch a video on how to use the renewal lookup tool here.

Enrollees can still report exemptions and qualifying activities after Aug. 31; however, enrollees may need to call or visit their county, Tribe or the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

Federal work requirements are complicated. People who have Medical Assistance should study the requirements and exceptions carefully so they don’t lose coverage unnecessarily.

Work requirements do not apply to people who:

• Get Medical Assistance based on a disability
• Are a parent living with their children under age 19
• Are 65 or older
• Are 20 or younger
• Tell us they are pregnant

Exemptions from work requirements include people who are:

• American Indian or Alaska Native
• Living in a household that gets Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)and is subject to SNAP work rules
• Meeting work requirements for the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)
• In a drug or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program
• Medically frail: living with a serious, complex or chronic medical condition, or getting regular therapy or treatment
• A caregiver of a disabled individual

Activities that meet work requirements include:

• Receiving income of at least $580 in one month
• 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

Visit mn.gov/dhs/federalchanges/work-requirements for the full list of exemptions and qualifying activities.

Find out more about Medical Assistance coverage and services in specific counties on the Medicaid Matters webpages.