The $580 a month income option
You may not need to count 80 hours if you earn enough money in the month. CMS says you can meet the month by earning at least 80 times the federal minimum wage. In 2026 that is $7.25 times 80, which is $580. Seasonal workers have a different calculation. Check your state.
This page is not legal advice. Check with your state Medicaid agency. Your state decides who needs to meet the 80-hour rule and what proof it takes.
iPhone coming soonThe simple math
The U.S. Department of Labor says the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. CMS multiplies that by 80 hours. $7.25 × 80 = $580 a month in 2026. Your state may use your Medicaid income figure to check this.
Some states have a higher minimum wage. The federal math still uses $7.25 unless your state says otherwise. Always check your state Medicaid agency.
Hours or income
You can meet a month with hours, with this income amount, or in some cases a mix of activities. You do not have to do both. If your hours are short but your pay is at least $580, ask your state if the income option applies to you.
You can still log hours in the 80 hours tracker so you have a record. Your state tells you which path it will accept.
Sources
We fetched and checked these official pages on 2026-10-19.
- CMS fact sheet: Medicaid Community Engagement Requirement interim final rule (June 1, 2026)
- CMS slide deck: Community Engagement Requirement interim final rule overview (posted July 27, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Labor: federal minimum wage ($7.25 an hour)
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: minimum wage
More guides
Log80 keeps your proof in one place.
Track your hours and make a monthly report to share with your state Medicaid office. It's free, in your browser or on Android.
Log80 is not a government service and is not Medicaid. This page is not legal advice. Your state Medicaid office decides who needs to meet the rule and what proof it takes.