08/19/2026
FYI! Be sure to pay attention to your mail if this applies to you (or your clients).
Beginning this week, the State of Ohio will be mailing important notices to adults enrolled in Group VIII Medicaid, also known as Medicaid Expansion, MAGI Adult, or Ribicoff coverage.
Beginning January 1, 2027, Medicaid recipients in Group VIII will need to complete at least 80 hours (or the equivalent of) each month of approved activities to continue to receive Medicaid coverage. In Summit County, we estimate this will affect 25% of our Medicaid recipients.
This requirement will not apply to everyone. Exemptions may include parents or caregivers of young children, people caring for someone with a disability, people with certain physical or mental health conditions, pregnant or postpartum residents, people participating in substance use treatment, certain veterans, people enrolled in Medicare, and others.
To help assist current and potential Medicaid clients, we have provided information at our website which we will continue to share throughout the week: https://co.summitoh.net/pages/Federal-SNAP-and-Medicaid-Program-Changes.html
On this website, you can find:
• How to determine if you are in Group VIII
• How to determine if you qualify for an exemption
• What documents you will need to prove you are exempt
• Resources to find employment to fulfill work requirements
Finally, we encourage residents who receive Medicaid to:
• Make sure Summit County Department of Job & Family Services has your current address;
• Open and read every letter about your Medicaid coverage;
• Respond to requests by the deadline listed in the notice;
• Report changes in address, income, household members, or pregnancy; and
• Keep copies of documents that may be needed.
The website is updated with all current guidance we have received from the federal and state agencies implementing these changes. To avoid increasing phone wait times, SCDJFS is asking residents to utilize online resources and the Ohio Benefits Self-Services Portal whenever possible.
