Federal SNAP and Medicaid Program Changes

 

Following the passage of H.R. 1, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, in July 2025, significant changes have been made and will be made in the coming years to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These changes range from work requirements, increasing eligibility verification, restricting immigrant access, and imposing major funding cuts. 

These federal programs are administered differently in each state. In Ohio, counties play a major role in helping residents access Medicaid and SNAP. In Summit County, the Department of Job and Family services is responsible for determining residents' eligibility for both Medicaid and SNAP. 

At this time, we are still learning more about the program changes and how they will be implemented. We will continue to update this page with details as they are available. 

Updates will also be shared at https://www.summitdjfs.org/. 

 

 

Medicaid - New Work Requirements for Expansion Group

 

New work requirements for Medicaid will go into effect on January 1, 2027, and are entirely separate from changes made to SNAP listed below. We are still awaiting complete guidance from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the State of Ohio's Department of Medicaid for a complete picture of what changes to Medicaid will look like. 

 

What we do know:

These new Medicaid work requirements will apply to the Medicaid Expansion Group, also referred to as Medicaid Group VIII (8).

Other names for the affected group include MAGI adult coverage, Ribicoff coverage, Medicaid Expansion Group, and Group VIII (8). All these names refer to the same group of individuals who must comply with new federal work requirements in order to maintain Medicaid coverage. 


The Medicaid Expansion Group refers to adults covered by Medicaid who are: 

  • 19-64 years old
  • Not pregnant
  • Not disabled
  • Have an income at or below 138% the Federal Poverty Level

138% Federal Poverty Level

*as of 2026

 Household Size

$22,024.80

1
$29,863.20 2
$37,701.60 3
$45,540.00 4
$53,378.40 5
$61,216.80 6
$69,055.20 7


 

If you are NOT in Group VIII, you do not have to meet these work requirements. 

If you are in Group VIII, you may qualify for an exemption and therefore do not have to meet these requirements. 

 

If you are in Group VIII, you do not have to meet work requirements if: 

  • You are a current of former foster child under age 26
  • You are a parent, guardian, caretaker relative, or family caregiver of either:
    • A dependent child age 13 or younger, or
    • A disabled individual (including someone in another household, if you provide significant care)
  • You are a veteran who is rated 100% disabled because of a service-connected condition
  • You have a physical or mental health condition that keeps you from working or participating in other activities. This includes:
    • Blindness or disability as defined by the SSA
    • A substance use disorder
    • A disabling mental disorder
    • A physical, intellectual, or developmental disability that significantly limits activites of daily living
    • A serious or complex medical condition
  • You are meeting SNAP or OWF work requirements
  • You are participating in a drug or alcohol treatment program
  • You are incarcerated or have been recently released
  • You are pregnant or are in your 12-month postpartum period
  • You are entitled to or have Medicare Part A
  • You have Medicare Part B

 

IMPORTANT: You must provide documentation showing you meet one of these exemptions, or your benefits will end or your Medicaid application will be denied.

 

 

 

Group VIII Medicaid Work Requirements 1/1/2027

What are the new Medicaid Work Requirements, and who must fulfill them?

 

The One Big Beautiful Bill (H.R. 1) created nationwide work requirements for the Medicaid Expansion Group, also known as Group VIII (8), MAGI Adult coverage, or Ribicoff coverage. All these names refer to the same covered group and can be used interchangeably. 

 

Beginning January 1, 2027, adults in Group VIII will be required to complete 80 hours per month OR the equivalent of 80 hours per month based on the federal minimum wage ($580 monthly income) of an approved work activity. 

 

Approved work activities include: 

Approved Work Activities Documentation to Prove
Paid employment, self-employment, or unpaid work like caregiving, work in exchange for goods or housing, or an internship Pay stubs or a statement from your employer
Community service (must be with a public agency or nonprofit organization) A letter from the organization where you volunteered
Participation in a recognized work program, such as those offered through OhioMeansJobs A letter from the organization running the program
Being enrolled at least half-time in high school, a GED course, college, or technical schools Proof of enrollment or your class schedule

 

If you are APPLYING for Medicaid, you must show you meet the work requirements the month before you applied. 

If you are RENEWING your Medicaid coverage, you must show that you met the requirement for at least one month since your last application or renewal. 

 

Starting January 1, 2027, Group VIII must renew Medicaid coverage every 6 months, rather than every 12 months. 

 

How do I know if I am in Group 8?

Employment Resources

 
OMJ Summit County
OhioMeansJobs Summit County is the local, all-in-one workforce resource center and provides a full range of free services to job seekers.
 
 
Visit https://www.summitmedinaomj.org/home/Home-Summit-County-OMJ.html to access resources or call 330-633-1050. 
 
 
Schedule an orientation in-person or online at: https://www.summitmedinaomj.org/pages/Orientation-and-Registration.html

 

 

 

 
SNAP Education and Training (for SNAP Participants)
SNAP E&T is a voluntary program that can help enrolled SNAP participants gain skills and find work. SNAP E&T is not a one-size-fits-all training. It meets you where you are and opens the door to new opportunities and career options. Learn more at https://www.summitdjfs.org/services/workforce-development/snap-e-t-program.html. 
 

 

Find more information on how to fulfill work requirements at the links below.

 

 

Medicaid work requirements are different from SNAP work requirements. If you are in the Medicaid Expansion Group and also receive SNAP benefits and are fulfilling your SNAP work requirements, your Medicaid work requirements will also be satisfied. 

 

If you are in the Medicaid Expansion Group and NOT receiving SNAP benefits, then you will have to provide documentation showing you are meeting the new Medicaid work requirements beginning January 1, 2027, or you will lose Medicaid coverage.

 

Learn more about who is included in the Medicaid Expansion Group here: https://medicaid.ohio.gov/resources-for-providers/special-programs-and-initiatives/group-viii

 

 

OhioMeansJobs Summit Logo

SNAP Changes - New Work Requirements

Effective March 2026, new work requirements have been implemented for:
  • able-bodied adults with children 14 years or older
  • able-bodied adults without dependents who are:
    • aged 55-64
    • veterans
    • or homeless
For more information, please view the PDFs below or visit: https://www.summitdjfs.org/services/workforce-development/snap-work-requirement-changes.html 


 

SNAP logo

More SNAP Changes - Funding Cost Shift

 

Additional changes have been made regarding how SNAP is funded. While these changes do not require client action, they significantly increase costs for state & local governments related to administering and funding SNAP.

 

Benefit Cost Shift

 

Effective October 2027, states with error rates higher than 6% must contribute to the Benefit Cost for the first time in history. The Benefit Cost is the money on a SNAP recipient's EBT card when they swipe it at the grocery store.
  • If Ohio's error rate remains 9%, Ohio will be required to contribute $316 million annually in benefit costs.
  • Previously, states paid $0 of this cost.

 

 

 

 

Admin Cost Shift

 

Effective October 2026, states will have to contribute more money to administer the program. Previously, states and the federal government split admin costs 50-50. Now, states must pay 75%, while the federal government will pay 25%.
  • Ohio's cost-share will increase by $51 million, in addition to the existing admin cost-share funding.
    • Summit County's portion of this is $2.1 million, in addition to our existing $3.6 million mandated share to the State of Ohio.

Outreach and FAQs

 

The presentation was given on January 12, 2026, at the Barberton Active Adult Center. It outlines the major changes to SNAP and Medicaid. It also addresses child care programs and Adult Protective Services.