my80hours › The 80-hour rule
The 80-hour rule, side by side
SNAP and Medicaid now both ask many adults to show 80 hours a month of work or similar activity. The two rules look alike but differ in the details.
| SNAP | Medicaid | |
|---|---|---|
| Ages | 18–64 | 19–64, expansion adults |
| Starts | Already in effect in every state | By January 1, 2027 (some states earlier) |
| Kids at home | Exempt if responsible for a child under 14 | Exempt if caring for a child 13 or under |
| What counts | Paid work, unpaid or volunteer work, work programs, or a mix | Work, community service, work programs, school half-time, a mix, or $580+ monthly income |
| If you don’t meet it | SNAP limited to 3 months in 3 years | Coverage can be denied or ended after notice |
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Keep proof of every hour
my80hours is a free app that logs your hours, saves photos of pay stubs and sign-in sheets, gets volunteer letters signed, and makes a PDF for your caseworker. No sign-up. Your info stays on your phone.
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- www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-119publ21/html/PLAW-119publ21.htm
- www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text
- www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/7/2015
- www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/guidance-documents/fns.snap-obbb-abawd-exceptions-impleme
- www.fns.usda.gov/snap/obbb-abawd-exemptions-implementation
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-II/subchapter-C/part-273/subpart-B/section
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-II/subchapter-C/part-273/subpart-B/section
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-II/subchapter-C/part-273/subpart-B/section
- www.fns.usda.gov/snap/work-requirements
- www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/by-the-numbers-harmful-republican-megabill-takes-foo
- www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/03/2026-11094/medicaid-program-community-engagem
- www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-03/pdf/2026-11094.pdf
- www.medicaid.gov/resources-for-states/working-families-tax-cut-legislation/community-engag
- ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/07/16/new-federal-medicaid-work-reporting-requirements-rule-threat
- www.kff.org/medicaid/early-medicaid-work-requirement-insights-from-nebraska/
This page explains federal rules as of October 10, 2026. It is not legal advice and my80hours is not a government site. Your state sets many details, so always follow the notices your state sends you, and ask your caseworker or a legal aid office if you’re unsure.