New Nebraska Medicaid Work Requirements

Changes May Affect Some Adults Enrolled in Medicaid Expansion

Beginning May 1, 2026, Nebraska requires some adults receiving Medicaid through Medicaid expansion to meet a work, education, training or volunteer requirement.

These requirements do not apply to everyone enrolled in Medicaid. Many people may qualify for an exemption because of their health, family responsibilities or other circumstances.

Do not assume that you will lose your Medicaid coverage. Watch for notices from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), keep your contact information current and respond promptly when DHHS requests information.

Charles Drew Health Center’s Patient Resource Specialists can help you understand the requirements, complete Medicaid applications and renewals, submit documents and determine whether an exemption may apply to you.

Call 402.451.3553 for assistance.

Who May Need to Meet the Requirements?

The requirements generally apply to adults who receive Medicaid through Nebraska’s Medicaid expansion program.

This may include people who:

Are between ages 19 and 64;
Are not pregnant;
Are not enrolled in Medicare;
Do not qualify for Medicaid based on a disability; and
Meet Medicaid expansion income and eligibility requirements.

The requirements do not apply to children or to everyone enrolled in Nebraska Medicaid.

How Can I Meet the Requirement?

Unless you qualify for an exemption or temporary hardship, you may need to complete at least 80 hours during one calendar month through one or more approved activities.

Approved activities may include:

Working;
Volunteering or completing community service;
Attending school at least half-time;
Participating in an apprenticeship;
Participating in an approved job or workforce program; or
Combining more than one approved activity to reach 80 hours.

You may also meet the requirement by earning at least $580 from work during a calendar month. Seasonal workers may qualify based on their average monthly income over the previous six months.

You May Qualify for an Exemption

You may not have to complete work-related activities if one or more exemptions apply to you.

You may qualify for an exemption if:

You have a medical condition that prevents or significantly limits your ability to work;
You are blind or have a physical, intellectual or developmental disability;
You have a serious or complex medical condition;
You have a disabling mental health condition;
You have a substance use disorder or are participating in a qualifying treatment program;
You are pregnant or within 12 months after the end of a pregnancy;
You are caring for a person with a disability;
You are a parent or caretaker of a child age 13 or younger;
You are under age 26 and aged out of foster care;
You are a veteran with a total disability rating;
You were recently released from jail or prison;
You are a member of a federally recognized Native American tribe or otherwise meet specified tribal eligibility criteria; or
Your household receives SNAP or TANF benefits and meets certain program requirements.

Other exemptions may also be available. DHHS will make the final decision about whether an exemption applies.

A CDHC Patient Resource Specialist can help you review the requirements and gather information that may support an exemption. Call 402.451.3553.

Temporary Hardships

You may also receive a temporary hardship exemption for certain situations, including when:

You were hospitalized or staying in a nursing facility;
You or a dependent had to travel to receive serious medical care that was not available in your community;
You lived in a county covered by a federal emergency declaration; or
You lived in a county experiencing a qualifying high unemployment rate.

Some hardships require you to complete and return a declaration form. DHHS may automatically identify hardships related to federal emergencies or county unemployment rates.

When Will DHHS Review My Eligibility?

If You Are Applying for Medicaid

For applications submitted on or after May 1, 2026, DHHS may review whether you completed an approved activity, met the earnings requirement, experienced a temporary hardship or qualified for an exemption during the month you applied or the month before you applied.

If You Already Have Medicaid

If you currently receive Medicaid through Medicaid expansion, DHHS will generally review the requirement as part of your Medicaid renewal.

Renewal dates are different for each person. You can check your renewal date through your Nebraska iServe account.

Members with renewal dates in May or June 2026 will not be required to demonstrate compliance until their 2027 renewal.

How Do I Report My Information?

DHHS will first review information already available through state records. You may not need to submit anything if DHHS can confirm that you meet the requirement or qualify for an exemption.

If DHHS needs more information, it will send you a notice explaining:

What information is needed;
How to submit it; and
The deadline for responding.

You will generally have 30 days after receiving the notice to provide the requested information. Your Medicaid application could be denied—or your existing coverage could end—if you do not respond by the deadline.

You may be able to submit information:

Through the Nebraska iServe portal;
By scanning the QR code included in your DHHS notice;
By telephone;
By mail;
By fax; or
In person at a local DHHS office.

Do not send documentation unless DHHS requests it or you need to report a change.

Protect Your Medicaid Coverage

Take these steps now:

Update Your Contact Information

Make sure DHHS has your correct:

Mailing address;
Email address; and
Telephone number.

Check Your Mail and Messages

Read all letters, emails and text messages from Nebraska Medicaid or DHHS.

Know Your Renewal Date

Respond Before the Deadline

If DHHS requests information, submit it within the timeframe listed in your notice.

Ask for Help

Do not ignore a notice because it is confusing or because you are unsure what documents to provide. CDHC’s Patient Resource Specialists can help you understand the notice and complete the next steps.

Report Changes to DHHS

Medicaid members are required to report changes that may affect their eligibility, including changes to:

Income;
Employment;
Home or mailing address;
Household size;
Marriage or divorce;
Pregnancy; or
Adoption.

You can report changes through Nebraska iServe or contact DHHS directly.

Nebraska Medicaid and Economic Assistance

Statewide: 855.632.7633, option 3
Omaha: 402.595.1178, option 3
Lincoln: 402.473.7000, option 3
TTY: 402.471.7256
Fax: 402.742.2351

Mail:
ACCESSNebraska
P.O. Box 2992
Omaha, NE 68103-2992

Visit Nebraska iServe

CDHC Can Help

At Charles Drew Health Center, we believe everyone should have access to quality healthcare, regardless of income or insurance status.

Our Patient Resource Specialists can assist you with:

Applying for Medicaid and other benefits;
Completing your Medicaid renewal;
Understanding notices from DHHS;
Submitting requested documentation;
Updating your Medicaid information;
Exploring possible exemptions;
Finding community services and resources; and
Identifying healthcare and financial assistance options.

Call Charles Drew Health Center at 402.451.3553 to speak with someone who can help.

Call Today Learn About Health Coverage Assistance

This information is provided for educational purposes and does not guarantee Medicaid eligibility or approval of an exemption. Nebraska DHHS makes all Medicaid eligibility and work-requirement decisions. Requirements and procedures may change. Information adapted from resources provided by Nebraska Appleseed and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.