Virginia Medicaid work requirement

Virginia Medicaid expansion (Cardinal Care) adults ages 19–64 who are not otherwise exempt. Requirements are reviewed every 6 months at renewal. At renewal, members must show compliance in 1 of the prior 6 months. New applicants must meet requirements in the month before 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)
• 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.

Virginia Medicaid will provide information about whether requirements apply, how to meet them, how to report activities, and how to report an exemption. Work (including in-kind work and unpaid internships) and community service (unpaid, for the direct benefit of the community through a public or nonprofit organization) count. Respond to any DMAS notices by the stated deadline.

• Visit dmas.virginia.gov/news-updates/new-federal-requirements/federal-work-requirements/ for the official DMAS work requirements page
• Follow Cardinal Care on social media channels for updates
• Keep your contact information current with Virginia Medicaid — update at coverva.dmas.virginia.gov
• Start tracking work, volunteer, education, or training hours each month now
• Report life changes (pregnancy, disability, household changes) to DMAS promptly

• DMAS — Federal Work Requirements
• Cover Virginia (benefits portal)

Sources: Virginia DMAS (dmas.virginia.gov). CMS IFC CMS-2454-IFC.

Last checked September 2026.