Ohio Medicaid work requirement

Ohio Medicaid Group VIII (MAGI Adult / Ribicoff expansion) adults ages 19–64 who are not otherwise exempt. ODM will conduct outreach at least 3 months before the requirement takes effect. Members unable to verify compliance will be prompted to submit documentation through the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal.

• 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)
• Primary caregiver of a child 13 years old or younger
• Primary caregiver of a disabled individual
• Medically frail or living with a disability that significantly limits ability to work
• American Indian / Alaska Native (AI/AN)
• Former foster youth who aged out of foster care
• Veteran with total disability rating (VA)
• Household receiving TANF where work rules already apply
• Household receiving SNAP where SNAP work rules already apply
• Enrolled in or recently completed a substance use disorder (SUD) treatment program
• Currently incarcerated or released from incarceration within the prior 3 months

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.

ODM will perform ex-parte (auto) review of available state data first. If records are insufficient, it will send you a notice requesting documentation through the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal or by phone at 1-800-324-8680. Keep pay stubs, volunteer logs, school enrollment letters, and medical documentation ready.

• Visit medicaid.ohio.gov for the latest Ohio Medicaid work-requirements guidance
• Keep your contact information current with Ohio Medicaid (1-800-324-8680)
• Create or access your Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal account at benefits.ohio.gov
• Start tracking work, volunteer, education, or training hours each month now
• Watch for outreach notices from ODM at least 3 months before implementation
• Report life changes (pregnancy, disability, household changes) within 10 days

• Ohio Department of Medicaid
• Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal

Sources: Ohio Department of Medicaid (medicaid.ohio.gov). CMS IFC CMS-2454-IFC. Consumer Hotline: 1-800-324-8680.

Last checked September 2026.