Examples of meeting work and education requirements
- Work for 80 or more hours per month (this can include unpaid work or work done for goods or services)
- MassHealth determines your income to be $580 or more per month, no matter the number of hours worked (seasonal workers can also earn an average of $580 per month over a six-month period)
- Volunteer for 80 hours or more per month with a non-partisan public or nonprofit organization. This could include, for example, volunteering at a soup kitchen or assisting at a blood drive.
- Participate in an approved job training program (that helps you learn skills to get a job) for at least 80 hours per month
- Be enrolled in an educational program, such as high school, a GED program, community college, or university or four-year college, at least half-time
- Do a total of work, volunteer, work program, or school for 80 or more hours per month
Find out if you are affected
Answer a few questions to learn if federal changes could affect you.
MassHealth will contact you if you are affected
Before any changes happen, MassHealth will contact impacted members directly. Members who must meet work and education requirements will be notified through mailed paper notices, texts, emails, and more. All members should make sure that MassHealth has your current cell number, mailing address, and email.
MassHealth will use available data to confirm if you are excused from or already meeting these requirements. If MassHealth does not have available data on file, you will receive your MassHealth renewal notice in a blue envelope. The renewal notice mailing will include information on what you need to do to keep coverage.
Who is affected and who is exempt or excused
The new federal work and education requirements will mostly impact adults who are 19 through 64 years old AND do not have young children, a disability, or a medical condition that significantly impairs your ability to work. Answer a few questions to learn if federal changes could affect you.
You may be exempt, which means you could be excused from these requirements, if you:
- are pregnant or less than 12 months postpartum, regardless of pregnancy outcome
- are a parent who provides care to your child who is younger than 14 or is a disabled individual
- are a guardian of a child who is younger than 14 or is a disabled individual
- are a “caretaker relative,” meaning you are related to and are the primary caregiver for a child who is younger than 14 or is a disabled individual who lives with you.
- are a “family caregiver,” meaning you:
- live with and provide regular care to a child who is younger than 14 or is a disabled individual;
- are related to and provide regular care to a child who is younger than 14 or is a disabled individual; or
- provide at least 80 hours of care a month to a child who is younger than 14 or is a disabled individual
- are eligible for Medicare Part A
- are enrolled in Medicare Part B
- are younger than 26 who had Medicaid when they aged out of foster care
- are a certain American Indian or Alaska Native
- are living with one of the following conditions (you may need to show that your condition significantly impairs your ability to work):
- a disability that seriously limits their ability to do a daily task (such as bathing, dressing, eating) without help
- an alcohol or drug addiction
- a serious mental health condition (such as schizophrenia or major depression)
- a serious or complex condition (such as cancer or heart failure) that requires frequent medical care
- blindness or disability based on Social Security rules
- receive Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) cash help and are meeting TAFDC work rules
- served in the U.S. Armed Forces and have a total disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- are a member of a household that gets Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and DTA told you or someone in your household you must meet work rules
- are a participant in certain substance use disorder treatment and rehabilitation programs
- are an inmate of a public institution, or individuals who were inmates in the previous three months
When to confirm you meet the requirements
MassHealth members who need to meet work and education requirements will not be affected until their first renewal of 2027 or if they experience changes that impact their coverage. Impacted members are required to meet work and education requirements for one month between their last renewal and their next renewal. You will receive information about renewal and any next steps in a blue envelope.
If you are newly applying for MassHealth coverage and are subject to work and education requirements, you need to meet the requirements the month before you apply.
How to keep your MassHealth coverage
Take the following actions to make sure you do not lose your MassHealth coverage:
- Make sure MassHealth has your current contact information, including a mailing address, cell number, and email so that we can reach you with important information.
- Read and reply to all letters and messages from MassHealth.
- Tell us right away if there are changes to other factors that could impact coverage, like pregnancy, disability status, or income.
You can also sign up for MyServices to get 24/7 access to your MassHealth.
| Date published: | July 21, 2026 |
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