California Medicaid work requirement

Medi-Cal adults ages 19–64 enrolled through the ACA expansion (including adults covered under recent immigrant coverage expansions) who are not otherwise exempt. Renewals move to every 6 months. Your county Medi-Cal office will notify you if requirements apply to you. You will also need to meet the requirement in the prior month when applying.

• Work 80+ hours/month (paid or unpaid, including self-employment or work for goods/services)
• Community service / volunteering at a public or non-profit organization — 80+ hours/month
• Participation in an approved job training or workforce program — 80+ hours/month
• Enrollment in an educational program at least half-time (high school, GED, community college, vocational, or four-year college)
• Any combination of the above totaling 80+ hours/month
• Income ≥ $580/month (federal minimum wage × 80 hours) — regardless of hours tracked; seasonal workers may average $580/month over the prior 6 months

• Pregnant or less than 12 months postpartum (regardless of pregnancy outcome)
• Parent or caregiver of a child 13 years old or younger, or of an individual with a disability
• Medically frail, blind, or disabled; serious or complex medical condition
• Serious mental health condition or disabling mental health condition
• Substance use disorder or enrolled in drug or alcohol treatment
• American Indian / Alaska Native (AI/AN), including urban Indians
• Veteran with total disability rating (VA)
• Already meeting CalFresh (SNAP) or CalWORKs (TANF) work requirements
• Currently incarcerated
• Former foster youth who aged out at 18
• Short-term hardship (natural disaster, medical emergency requiring hospitalization)
• Other exemptions approved by federal government or listed in California's state plan

Caring for a child 13 or younger, or for a person with a disability, is usually an exemption. Caregiving hours are not counted toward the 80 hours.

Your county Medi-Cal office will notify you if it needs more information. DHCS is deploying community navigators and a nurse advice line to help members understand the rules. Self-attestation is accepted for many exemptions in 2027. Keep records of pay stubs, volunteer logs, enrollment letters, and medical documentation.

• Visit dhcs.ca.gov/medi-cal/help/medi-cal-changes/ for the official Medi-Cal Changes member page
• Watch for a letter from Medi-Cal or your county office — open it right away when it arrives
• Keep your contact information current with your county Medi-Cal office
• Start tracking work, volunteer, education, or training hours each month now
• Report life changes (pregnancy, disability, household changes) to your county promptly

• Medi-Cal Changes (DHCS member page)
• Tracking Federal Impact — Medi-Cal Eligibility

Sources: DHCS (dhcs.ca.gov/medi-cal/help/medi-cal-changes). CMS IFC CMS-2454-IFC.

Last checked September 2026.