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Work requirements reform activity in the states

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Work requirements
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• Work requirements by state • Index of articles
• Major arguments
• Reform proposals
•Medicaid work requirements
• Public housing work requirements
• SNAP work requirements
• Child care subsidy work requirements
• Laws
• Court cases
• Scholarly work
See also: Reform proposals related to work requirements for public assistance programs

This page includes updates about reform activities in the states related to work requirements for public assistance programs. For a full list of reform proposals related to work requirements, click here.

Ballotpedia has tracked state-level work requirement reform activities related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, public housing, and child care subsidies. Click the link to each public assistance program below to learn more about related state reform activities:

Ballotpedia has tracked three reform approaches concerning work requirement eligibility criteria for individuals participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These include increasing the age to meet work requirements, enacting mandatory participation in SNAP employment and training program, and restricting work requirements waivers.
Ballotpedia has tracked one reform approach that would tie Medicaid work requirements for individuals to Medicaid expansion efforts.
Ballotpedia has tracked one reform approach concerning the work requirement eligibility criteria for individuals receiving public housing assistance.
Ballotpedia has tracked no reform approaches regarding the work requirement eligibility cirteria for individuals receiving child care subsidies.

This page organizes reform activities in two different ways. Click the links below to see reform activity organized by:

Reform activity organized by public assistance program

This section contains state work requirement reform activity organized by the type of public assistance program. To jump to a program, click the list below:

For a full list of reform proposals related to work requirements, click here.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program work requirements

See also: Reform proposals related to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program work requirements

These reform approaches propose changes to work requirements for individuals participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), such as increasing the age to meet work requirements, enacting mandatory participation in SNAP employment and training programs, and restricting state work requirement waivers.

Reform: Increase the age to meet work requirements

These reform approaches increase the age to meet work requirements for individuals participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Reform: Mandatory participation in SNAP employment and training program

These reform approaches require that individuals receiving SNAP benefits participate in the state's employment and training (E&T) program.

Reform: Restrict work requirements waivers

Federal law allows states to request temporary waivers from certain work requirements in areas where the unemployment rate exceeds 10% or where insufficient jobs are available. These reform approaches restrict state agencies administering SNAP benefits from applying for or approving work requirement waivers, unless required by federal law.

  • Louisiana enacts bill to limit work waivers for SNAP benefits: Gov. Jeff Landry signed Senate Bill 195 on May 28, 2024, to prohibit the Department of Children and Family Services from "seeking, applying for, accepting, or renewing any waivers of the federal SNAP work requirements." The bill passed along party lines.[6]

Medicaid work requirements

See also: Reform proposals related to Medicaid work requirements

These reform approaches would tie Medicaid work requirements to Medicaid expansion efforts.

Reform: Implement work requirements for Medicaid expansion

This reform approach requires able-bodied adults receiving Medicaid expansion benefits to meet certain work requirements.

  • The Mississippi House passed House Bill 1725 on February 28, 2024, with a bipartisan vote of 98-20. The bill would have required the Mississippi Division of Medicaid to apply for a waiver from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to require eligible individuals to work 20 hours a week, be a full-time student, or enroll in a workforce training program. It would have expanded Medicaid coverage to households with incomes lower than 138% of the federal poverty line—approximately 200,000 Mississippians—even if CMS rejected the work requirement.[8]
  • The Mississippi Senate passed the House Bill with amendments on March 28, 2024. The Senate version increased the work requirements to 120 hours per month and would have applied to households lower than 100% of the poverty line—thus not meeting the federal criteria for Medicaid expansion. This scaled-back version would have covered 40,000 individuals, while refusing $1 billion in federal Medicaid funds. The bill would also be repealed if CMS rejected the work requirement waiver.
  • South Dakota Senate and House pass resolution on Medicaid work requirement (2024):The Republican-led South Dakota Senate and House of Representatives passed Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 501, which put a constitutional amendment on the ballot asking voters to weigh in whether to allow the state to submit a waiver to the federal government requesting that work requirements imposed for the state’s expanded Medicaid program.[9] South Dakota voters in November 2022 approved a constitutional amendment to expand Medicaid to people who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level. SJR 501 seeks to put a separate constitutional amendment to voters in November 2024 allowing the state to require adults under the age of 65 without mental or physical disabilities to work to remain eligible for Medicaid.[10]
  • Kansas Governor seeks to expand Medicaid with work requirements (2023): Kansas Governor Laura Kelly (D) on December 14, 2023, proposed legislation to expand the state's Medicaid program with work requirements for certain enrollees. The Cutting Healthcare Costs for All Kansans Act would require adults under 65 to provide employment verification to qualify for Medicaid. People who have disabilities, are pregnant, are experiencing homelessness, have children under 18, or are enrolled in college would not have to meet the work requirements.[11]
  • Georgia establishes work requirements to expand Medicaid coverage (2023): The Georgia Medicaid program, Georgia Pathways, took effect on July 1, 2023. The work requirement policy, announced by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) on July 5, 2023, expands Medicaid coverage to people below the Federal Policy Level (FPL) who complete certain work-related activities. 
  • Georgia lawmakers in 2019 created Georgia Pathways through the passage of Senate Bill 106. The program aims to expand Medicaid coverage to qualifying adults with households below the poverty level that work at least 80 hours per month. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Georgia’s plan in October 2020, effective July 1, 2021.
  • CMS later approved Georgia’s Medicaid expansion but rejected work requirements for eligibility. Georgia filed a lawsuit against CMS and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia in January 2022, arguing in part that the Medicaid expansion was contingent on work requirements. The state proceeded to implement Georgia Pathways as initially approved by CMS, and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia ruled in favor of the state on August 19, 2022. 
  • Ohio seeks to implement Medicaid work requirements (2023): Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) on July 4, 2023, signed a two-year state budget that seeks to implement work requirements for Medicaid recipients. The state budget requires the director of the Ohio Department of Medicaid to apply for a Section 1115 waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The waiver, if approved by CMS, would allow the state to establish Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied residents ages 55 and younger. Able-bodied adults without dependents under the policy would be required to work or study 20 hours per week to qualify for Medicaid benefits.

Public housing work requirements

See also: Reform proposals related to public housing work requirements

This reform approach focuses on the eligibility criteria for individuals receiving public housing assistance.

Reform: Require able-bodied adults to meet work requirements

This reform mandates that physically capable adults fulfill to work requirements.

  • New Arkansas public housing work requirements (2023): The Arkansas General Assembly approved House Bill 1196 on February 27, 2023, which requires able-bodied adults to work, volunteer, or participate in a workforce training program for at least 20 hours per week. The law requires local public housing authorities (PHAs) to seek approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by January 1, 2025, to implement the work requirements. The new law applies to adults from 19-64 ages who are not pregnant, disabled, receiving unemployment compensation, or participating in a drug treatment program, and do not have kids under five. If the work requirements are unmet, the law requires PHAs to terminate the lease agreements after 60 days. Local PHAs receive federal funding and must meet guidelines set by HUD.[12]

Child care subsidy work requirements

See also: Reform proposals related to child care subsidy work requirements

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any state reform activity related to child care subsidy work requirements.

Reform activity by state

This section contains state work requirements reform activity organized by state. To jump to a state, click the list below:

Alabama

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Alaska

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Arizona

This section tracks a selection of unemployment insurance reform activities in Arizona:

Arkansas

This section tracks a selection of unemployment insurance reform activities in Arkansas:

  • New Arkansas public housing work requirements (2023): The Arkansas General Assembly approved House Bill 1196 on February 27, 2023, which requires able-bodied adults to work, volunteer, or participate in a workforce training program for at least 20 hours per week. The law requires local public housing authorities (PHAs) to seek approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by January 1, 2025, to implement the work requirements. The new law applies to adults from 19-64 ages who are not pregnant, disabled, receiving unemployment compensation, or participating in a drug treatment program, and do not have kids under five. If the work requirements are unmet, the law requires PHAs to terminate the lease agreements after 60 days. Local PHAs receive federal funding and must meet guidelines set by HUD.[12]

California

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Colorado

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Connecticut

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Delaware

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Florida

This section tracks a selection of unemployment insurance reform activities in Florida:

Georgia

This section tracks a selection of unemployment insurance reform activities in Georgia:

  • Georgia establishes work requirements to expand Medicaid coverage (2023): The Georgia Medicaid program, Georgia Pathways, took effect on July 1, 2023. The work requirement policy, announced by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) on July 5, 2023, expands Medicaid coverage to people below the Federal Policy Level (FPL) who complete certain work-related activities. 
  • Georgia lawmakers in 2019 created Georgia Pathways through the passage of Senate Bill 106. The program aims to expand Medicaid coverage to qualifying adults with households below the poverty level that work at least 80 hours per month. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Georgia’s plan in October 2020, effective July 1, 2021.
  • CMS later approved Georgia’s Medicaid expansion but rejected work requirements for eligibility. Georgia filed a lawsuit against CMS and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia in January 2022, arguing in part that the Medicaid expansion was contingent on work requirements. The state proceeded to implement Georgia Pathways as initially approved by CMS, and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia ruled in favor of the state on August 19, 2022. 

Hawaii

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Idaho

This section tracks a selection of unemployment insurance reform activities in Idaho:

  • Idaho H0345 becomes law, requiring the state to apply to implement Medicaid work requirements (2025): On March 19th, Governor Brad Little (R) of Idaho signed a bill into law that requires the state to submit a waiver request to CMS. Upon approval, the state will institute work requirements for able-bodied adult Medicaid recipients. The bill passed along party lines with a 29-6 vote in the Senate and 61-9 vote in the House. Idaho is a Republican trifecta, meaning that its executive branch and both houses of its legislature are Republican-controlled. Activities that will fulfill the work requirement, should CMS approve the program, include: working a job, participating in a work, doing a combination of these, participating in a workfare program, or volunteering for 20 hours a week.[16]


Illinois

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Indiana

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Iowa

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Kansas

This section tracks a selection of unemployment insurance reform activities in Kansas:

  • Kansas Governor seeks to expand Medicaid with work requirements (2023): Kansas Governor Laura Kelly (D) on December 14, 2023, proposed legislation to expand the state's Medicaid program with work requirements for certain enrollees. The Cutting Healthcare Costs for All Kansans Act would require adults under 65 to provide employment verification to qualify for Medicaid. People who have disabilities, are pregnant, are experiencing homelessness, have children under 18, or are enrolled in college would not have to meet the work requirements.[11]

Kentucky

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Louisiana

This section tracks a selection of unemployment insurance reform activities in Louisiana:

  • Louisiana enacts bill to limit work waivers for SNAP benefits: Gov. Jeff Landry signed Senate Bill 195 on May 28, 2024, to prohibit the Department of Children and Family Services from "seeking, applying for, accepting, or renewing any waivers of the federal SNAP work requirements." The bill passed along party lines.[17]

Maine

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Maryland

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Massachusetts

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Michigan

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Minnesota

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Mississippi

This section tracks a selection of unemployment insurance reform activities in Mississippi:

  • The Mississippi House passed House Bill 1725 on February 28, 2024, with a bipartisan vote of 98-20. The bill would have required the Mississippi Division of Medicaid to apply for a waiver from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to require eligible individuals to work 20 hours a week, be a full-time student, or enroll in a workforce training program. It would have expanded Medicaid coverage to households with incomes lower than 138% of the federal poverty line—approximately 200,000 Mississippians—even if CMS rejected the work requirement.[19]
  • The Mississippi Senate passed the House Bill with amendments on March 28, 2024. The Senate version increased the work requirements to 120 hours per month and would have applied to households lower than 100% of the poverty line—thus not meeting the federal criteria for Medicaid expansion. This scaled-back version would have covered 40,000 individuals, while refusing $1 billion in federal Medicaid funds. The bill would also be repealed if CMS rejected the work requirement waiver.

Missouri

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Montana

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Nebraska

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Nevada

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

New Hampshire

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

New Jersey

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

New Mexico

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

New York

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

North Carolina

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

North Dakota

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Ohio

This section tracks a selection of unemployment insurance reform activities in Ohio:

  • Ohio seeks to implement Medicaid work requirements (2023): Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) on July 4, 2023, signed a two-year state budget that seeks to implement work requirements for Medicaid recipients. The state budget requires the director of the Ohio Department of Medicaid to apply for a Section 1115 waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The waiver, if approved by CMS, would allow the state to establish Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied residents ages 55 and younger. Able-bodied adults without dependents under the policy would be required to work or study 20 hours per week to qualify for Medicaid benefits.

Oklahoma

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Oregon

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Pennsylvania

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Rhode Island

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

South Carolina

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

South Dakota

This section tracks a selection of unemployment insurance reform activities in South Dakota:

  • South Dakota Senate and House pass resolution on Medicaid work requirement (2024):The Republican-led South Dakota Senate and House of Representative passed Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 501, which would ask voters to weigh in on a proposed constitutional amendment allowing for work requirements in the state’s expanded Medicaid program.[20] South Dakota voters in November 2022 approved a constitutional amendment to expand Medicaid to people who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level. SJR 501 seeks to put a separate constitutional amendment to voters in November 2024 allowing the state to require adults under the age of 65 without mental or physical disabilities to work to remain eligible for Medicaid.[21]
  • South Dakota voters pass Constitutional Amendment F: Voters passed the ballot measure in the November 2024 election, allowing legislators to consider applying to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for approval to implement work requirements for Medicaid. The amendment did not impose any requirements; it allowed the state to consider applying for a Section 1115 waiver and impose work requirements for Medicaid going forward.

Tennessee

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Texas

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Utah

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Vermont

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Virginia

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Washington

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

West Virginia

This section tracks a selection of unemployment insurance reform activities in West Virginia:

Wisconsin

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

Wyoming

As of the last update, Ballotpedia had not tracked any reform activity in this state.

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ "West Virginia Legislature," "Bill Status - 2024 Regular Session," accessed February 28, 2024
  2. ↑ "West Virginia Watch," "WV Senate passes bill increasing SNAP work requirements, sends Crown Act to finance committee," accessed February 28, 2024
  3. ↑ Florida Senate, "CS/CS/HB 1267: Economic Self-sufficiency," accessed June 20, 2024
  4. ↑ Legiscan, "Arizona House Bill 2502," accessed April 6, 2024
  5. ↑ [https://legiscan.com/AZ/supplement/HB2503/id/457765 Legiscan, "Arizona House Bill 2503," accessed April 2, 2024.
  6. ↑ Bill Track 50, "LA SB195, accessed July 15, 2024
  7. ↑ Mississippi Today, "From dummy bill to Hail Marys: How Mississippi’s Medicaid expansion efforts failed," accessed May 16, 2024
  8. ↑ Legiscan, "Mississippi House Bill 1725," accessed May 16, 2024
  9. ↑ "AP News," accessed February 9, 2024"
  10. ↑ "South Dakota Legislature," "Senate Joint Resolution 501," accessed February 9, 2024"
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Kansas Office of the Governor," "Governor Kelly Unveils Middle-of-the-Road Medicaid Expansion Legislation," "December 14, 2023
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Arkansas Lesislature," "House bill 1196," accessed October 31, 2023"
  13. ↑ Legiscan, "Arizona House Bill 2502," accessed April 6, 2024
  14. ↑ [https://legiscan.com/AZ/supplement/HB2503/id/457765 Legiscan, "Arizona House Bill 2503," accessed April 2, 2024.
  15. ↑ Florida Senate, "CS/CS/HB 1267: Economic Self-sufficiency," accessed June 20, 2024
  16. ↑ Legiscan, "ID H0345 | 2025 | Regular Session," March 19, 2025
  17. ↑ Bill Track 50, "LA SB195, accessed July 15, 2024
  18. ↑ Mississippi Today, "From dummy bill to Hail Marys: How Mississippi’s Medicaid expansion efforts failed," accessed May 16, 2024
  19. ↑ Legiscan, "Mississippi House Bill 1725," accessed May 16, 2024
  20. ↑ "AP News," accessed February 9, 2024"
  21. ↑ "South Dakota Legislature," "Senate Joint Resolution 501," accessed February 9, 2024"
  22. ↑ "West Virginia Legislature," "Bill Status - 2024 Regular Session," accessed February 28, 2024
  23. ↑ "West Virginia Watch," "WV Senate passes bill increasing SNAP work requirements, sends Crown Act to finance committee," accessed February 28, 2024
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