Medi-Cal Work and Community Engagement Requirements

Starting January 1, 2027, some Medi-Cal members will need to work, volunteer, go to school, or be in training to get or keep Medi-Cal coverage due to new federal rules. These rules are called Medi-Cal Work and Community Engagement Requirements (WCER).

New applications received on or after January 1, 2027, will be screened for Medi-Cal WCER.

Current Medi-Cal members will be screened for Medi-Cal WCER at their next annual renewal due in March 2027 or later. These individuals will also be subject to the 6-month redetermination starting with their next annual renewal due in March 2027 or later. Click here for more information on 6-month redeterminations.

Impacted Individuals

The new Medi-Cal WCER applies to individuals in the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) New Adult group who receive full scope Medi-Cal. This group consists of:

  • Adults ages 19-64 years of age who do not have children and with income up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), and
  • Adults ages 19-64 years of age who have children and with income between 109%-138% FPL.

The new Medi-Cal WCER does not apply to:

  • Children (ages 0-18 years of age)
  • Adults 65 years of age and older
  • Individuals who are pregnant or in their 12-month postpartum period
  • Parents and caregivers of children 13 years of age or younger
  • Individuals with disabilities
  • Individuals with serious physical or mental health conditions, or substance use problems
  • Individuals who are incarcerated or released from jail or prison in the last 90 days
  • Individuals on Medicare Part A and/or Part B
  • American Indians or Alaska Natives
  • Individuals under age 26 who were in foster care on their 18th birthday

Exemptions

Individuals who meet one of the exemptions below may be excused from Medi-Cal WCER:

  • Entitled to or enrolled in Medicare Parts A and/or B
  • Pregnant or in 12-month postpartum period
  • Parent, guardian, caretaker of a dependent child age 13 or younger
  • Parent, guardian, caretaker, or family caregiver of a disabled individual
  • An inmate or recently released within the last 90 days from a public institution
  • Veteran with disability rated as total
  • American Indian/Alaska NativeParticipating in a drug or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program
  • Former Foster Youth under 26 years of age was in Foster Care on their 18th birthday
  • Meeting CalWORKs work requirements
  • Receiving CalFresh and subject to CalFresh work requirements
  • Medically frail
  • Receiving inpatient hospital, psychiatric, or nursing facility care
  • Traveling outside community to receive necessary medical services
  • Living in a county with a high unemployment rate
  • Living in a county impact by a federally declared emergency or disaster area

When applying for Medi-Cal, we look to see if you meet an exemption in the month you applied or in the month before the month you applied.

At renewal, we look to see if you meet an exemption in any of the months since your last redetermination.

Meeting Medi-Cal WCER

Individuals must do one of the following to meet Medi-Cal WCER, if they are not exempt from the rules:

  • Have an income from any source of at least $580 (before taxes) per month.
    • People whose hours change frequently or who have seasonal jobs can average at least $580 per month from any source over 6 months.
  • Work at any kind of job, volunteer, do community service, or attend a job-training program for at least 80 hours per month.
  • Go to school at least part time per month.

Individuals who do not meet any of the activities above can combine work, community service, job training, or class and school-activity hours to meet the 80-hour per month requirement.

When applying for Medi-Cal, we look to see if you meet Medi-Cal WCER by doing any of the activities above in the month before the month you applied.

At renewal, we look to see if you meet Medi-Cal WCER by doing any of the activities above in any of the months since your last redetermination.

Individuals who do not comply with Medi-Cal WCER will not be eligible for subsidized coverage through Covered California.

What You Can Do Now

Make sure your contact information is up to date. This includes mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses. This is very important as more information and notices about the Medi-Cal WCER will be sent via these methods.

Sign up for BenefitsCal. BenefitsCal is the official website where you can keep track of your benefits and documents, complete forms, report changes, upload documents, read notifications, and more. You can also opt in to get texts and e-notifications so that you can receive the latest information needed to help keep your Medi-Cal active.

When you get a letter, notice, or message from the county, open it right away and send in your information on time so you do not risk losing your Medi-Cal.

If you have questions about your case or would like to report updated information, please contact us using any of the methods listed here.

If you would like assistance applying for or renewing your Medi-Cal, visit HealthyAC.org to find a community-based organization (CBO) near you.