Medicaid
Starts January 1, 2027
- Who it covers
- Adults 19 to 64 who got Medicaid through expansion, unless exempt
- Hours needed
- 80 a month of work, volunteering, school, or a work program, in any mix
- When it starts
- January 1, 2027. Current members are affected at their first renewal in 2027. New applicants must meet it in the month before they apply.
- How often they check
- Every 6 months at renewal (from 2027-01-01)
- Months they look back
- Renewal: 1 month since the last renewal. Application: the month before applying.
- Hardship exceptions
- We haven't confirmed this yet. Ask your caseworker.
- Proof of volunteer hours
- We haven't confirmed this yet. Ask your caseworker.
- Notes
- Mostly adults 19-64 in MassHealth. 80 hours a month of work (paid or unpaid), volunteering with a non-partisan public or nonprofit group, approved job training, or half-time school, or a mix; $580/month income also counts. MassHealth checks its own data first.
- Official page
- Massachusetts Medicaid agency
SNAP
- Does volunteering count?
- Yes
- Time limit waiver
- No waiver. The time limit applies everywhere in the state. No time limit waiver is in effect in this state as of Oct. 1, 2026, per USDA's quarterly waiver status list. Checked October 9, 2026.
- How many hours
- Ages 18-64: 80 hours a month of work or approved training, or volunteering at a nonprofit or public group. Volunteer hours = monthly SNAP benefit divided by the state minimum wage; DTA's notice gives each person their number.
- Who signs it
- A staff person at the volunteer site fills in Part 2 and signs with printed name, title and date. The client returns it to DTA.
- When it's due
- Not monthly: turned in at application, interim report, and recertification.
- Official page
- Massachusetts SNAP agency
Información en español de Massachusetts