Work Requirements for MaineCare Expansion Adults

The federal government is making changes to Medicaid programs across the country. In Maine, Medicaid is called “MaineCare”.

Starting on January 1, 2027, MaineCare Expansion adults will need to meet new Work Requirements in order to get or keep MaineCare. MaineCare Expansion members are adults between 19 and 64 years old who get MaineCare based on their income. They do not meet the Social Security disability guidelines or have Medicare.

MaineCare Expansion adults will need to meet these new requirements in at least one calendar month since their last MaineCare renewal to maintain their eligibility for MaineCare coverage. They can meet these requirements if they:

• Work and make at least $580 in a month;
• Volunteer, attend school, or attend a work program for at least 80 hours a month (or any combination of these activities and work for at least 80 hours a month);
• Are enrolled in school at least half time; or
• Tell OFI if any of the situations below apply to them. They are exempt from work requirements, which means they will not need to meet the work requirements (see list below).

Members are exempt and will not need to meet Work Requirements if they are any of the following:

• Pregnant 
• Up to 12 months postpartum and had MaineCare while pregnant
• A parent, guardian, or caretaker of a dependent child aged 13 or younger
• A parent, guardian, or caretaker of an individual with disabilities  
• A veteran with a disability rated as “total”
• A former foster youth who aged out of foster care at age 18 and who is currently under the age of 26
• Meeting TANF or SNAP work requirements
• Someone with a work-limiting health condition, including someone who is blind or disabled, who has a substance use disorder or a disabling mental disorder, or who has a medical condition that impacts their ability to work
• Participating in a drug addiction or alcohol treatment or rehabilitation program
• An inmate of jail or prison, or were an inmate in the last 3 months
• American Indians and Alaskan Natives or individuals otherwise determined eligible for Indian Health Services

How will I know if the new Work Requirements apply to me?

The Office for Family Independence (OFI) will contact impacted members beginning in late summer/Fall 2026 through letter, e-notice, and phone calls with details. We will let members know if they need to meet the Work Requirements at their 2027 renewal and what steps they need to take to maintain coverage.

Find out if you may be affected by MaineCare Work Requirements using our screener tool (coming soon!).

How can MaineCare Expansion Adults meet the Work Requirements in 2027?

MaineCare Expansion Adults can meet the Work Requirements by either earning at least $580 from paid work, completing 80 hours of approved activities, or a combination of these.

• If someone does not have MaineCare and is applying in 2027: In the calendar month before they submit their application, will need to show that they:
  • Earned at least $580, or
  • Spent at least 80 hours working, going to school, participating in a work program, volunteering, or a combination of these activities.
• Current MaineCare members who are renewing in 2027: In at least 1 calendar month since their last renewal, will need to show that they:
  • Earned at least $580 in any one of those months, or
  • Spent at least 80 hours going to school, participating in a work program, volunteering, or a combination of these activities.

Activities that count towards complying with the work requirements

Complete 80 hours of one (or a mix) of the following activities:

Category	Example
Work	Paid work Self-employed Seasonal work
School or training	Participating in a work program (for example, HOPE, CSSP, or others) Going to college, community college, or a GED program at least half-time
Volunteering	AmeriCorps Volunteering with non-profit organizations

What can I do right now to keep MaineCare coverage?

The most important things you can do now are:

• Keep OFI updated on your current mailing address, email, and phone number so that you receive important messages from them.
• Read all letters that OFI sends you.
• Report any changes that could affect your coverage, like a new pregnancy or disability, a change in your income, or a change in the size of your household.
• Create a My Maine Connection account to see important information about your coverage 24 hours a day. You can also opt in to e-noticing to avoid mail delays and receive your letters faster.
• Add the OFI phone number to your contacts in your phone to make sure you don't miss a call: 1-855-797-4357.

Are you looking for information about other MaineCare eligibility changes besides Work Requirements? For all the federal MaineCare eligibility change information, visit mainecare.gov/federalchanges