Washington Medicaid work requirement

Apple Health for Adults (Washington Medicaid expansion) members ages 19–64 who are not otherwise exempt. Requirements apply when you apply or renew: you must meet requirements in the month before applying, or in any of the 6 months before renewing. Renewals also move to every 6 months. American Indian / Alaska Native members are excluded from both the work requirement and the shortened renewal period.

• 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

• American Indian / Alaska Native (AI/AN) — also exempt from 6-month renewals
• Pregnant or within 12 months postpartum
• Primary caregiver of a child 13 or younger, or of a person with a disability
• Medically frail or with serious health conditions
• Disability that limits ability to work
• Substance use disorder or in treatment
• Former foster youth
• Released from incarceration within the prior 3 months
• Already meeting SNAP or TANF work requirements
• Veteran with total disability rating

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.

You will report your circumstances through Washington Healthplanfinder. If state data sources cannot verify your activities or exemption, documentation may be required within 30 days. Keep records of pay stubs, volunteer logs, school enrollment letters, and medical documentation.

• Review the HCA H.R. 1 Work Requirements and Renewals fact sheet at hca.wa.gov
• Keep your contact information current with Washington HCA
• Update your coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder (wahealthplanfinder.org)
• Start tracking work, volunteer, education, or training hours each month now
• AI/AN members: confirm your exemption and annual renewal status with HCA
• Report life changes (pregnancy, disability, household changes) through Healthplanfinder

• HCA H.R. 1 Work Requirements Fact Sheet
• Washington Healthplanfinder (portal)
• Washington HCA (Apple Health)

Sources: Washington HCA (hca.wa.gov). CMS IFC CMS-2454-IFC. AI/AN excluded from both work requirement and 6-month renewals.

Last checked September 2026.