Rhode Island Medicaid work requirement

Rhode Island Medicaid expansion adults ages 19–64 who are not otherwise exempt. Renewals happen every 6 months, and you only need to meet the 80-hour threshold for ONE month out of every six-month period before each renewal. You do not need to report or submit documentation until your first 2027 renewal — if RI has data on file showing you qualify, your coverage may renew automatically.

• Earn $580+ per month before taxes (seasonal workers: average $580+ over the prior 6 months) — regardless of hours
• Work 80+ hours/month (paid or unpaid)
• Volunteer 80+ hours/month at a public or nonprofit organization
• Participate in job training or workforce programs for 80+ hours/month
• Enroll in school, trade school, or vocational training at least part-time (Stay Covered RI consumer language says part-time qualifies; federal CMS materials say half-time — check RI-specific guidance at renewal time)
• Combine any of the above (work + volunteer + training + school) to total 80+ hours/month

• Parent or guardian of a child younger than 19 living in the household (note: broader than the federal ≤13 threshold)
• Caregiver of a child younger than 14
• Caregiver of a disabled individual of any age
• Medical, mental health, or substance use disorder conditions that make work, school, or volunteering difficult (see litigation note below)
• Currently enrolled in a treatment program
• Pregnant or pregnant within the last year
• American Indian / Alaska Native (AI/AN)
• Released from jail or prison within the last 3 months
• Aged out of foster care at 18
• Veteran with 100% disability rating
• Household already meeting TANF work rules
• Household subject to SNAP work rules
• Receiving Medicare, SSI, SSDI, or other disability benefits
• Short-term hardship options available — contact HealthyRhode for details

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.

Rhode Island will use data it already has on file first. If it can verify you qualify or are exempt, your coverage renews automatically. If not, RI will send you a notice requesting documentation at renewal time — receiving that notice does NOT mean automatic coverage loss. Respond with your supporting documents (pay stubs, volunteer logs, enrollment letters, medical documentation) within the timeframe stated in the notice.

• You do NOT need to report anything now — reporting begins at your first 2027 renewal
• Update your contact information in HealthyRhode so renewal notices reach you
• Report life changes (new job, change in household, pregnancy, disability) to DHS promptly
• Start keeping records now: pay stubs, volunteer hour logs, school/training enrollment letters
• Look up your renewal date on HealthyRhode so you know when your first 2027 renewal is due
• Gather medical or legal documents now if you think a medical/disability exemption may apply to you

• Stay Covered RI — Work Requirements
• RI Medicaid Work Requirements FAQ (PDF, Jul 2026)
• RI Work Requirements Screener (informational)
• HealthyRhode Member Portal
• HealthSource RI — 1-855-840-4774

Sources: Primary: staycovered.ri.gov work-requirements page (updated Sep 1, 2026) and RI EOHHS consumer FAQ PDF (Jul 2026). Additional context: CMS-2454-IFC; RI AG multi-state litigation (PI denied Jul 29, 2026, case ongoing). RI DHS: 1-855-697-4347. No formal RI Code of Regulations implementing rule found as of last review.

Last checked September 2026.