Michigan Work & Exemption Screening Tool

Michigan Work & Exemption Screening Tool (MI WEST)

Medicaid Work Requirements

Michigan Work & Exemption Screening Tool (MI WEST)

This tool was designed for community partners to help Michiganders navigate new work requirements for Healthy Michigan Plan Medicaid.

This is not a determination or an application.
This is not designed to assess Medicaid eligibility in general. For more information about general eligibility, visit SDHHS' Medicaid website.
Information provided here cannot be used as proof when applying for or renewing Medicaid benefits.
Results reflect someone's situation at the time they use the tool. If they wait to apply or renew, the results may no longer be accurate.
For more details about Medicaid work requirements, visit SDHHS' State Expansion Plan (SEP) website.

⚠

This tool does not save or send any information to SDHHS. Download, print, or copy the summary when you're done to save information.

Important legal information

This tool is an informational resource about what Medicaid coverage Medicaid applicants or renewing members may be qualified for. This is not an official application or renewal. It is not intended to provide official eligibility decisions or determinations and cannot be used as proof that you are complying with, or exempted from, work requirements, if applicable. To officially apply for or renew Medicaid coverage, you must contact the State Department of Health & Human Services or log into State portal for more information.

The information provided in this tool is for general informational and educational purposes only. All information in the tool is provided on an "as-is" and "as-available" basis. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the tool or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained therein for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

Michigan Work & Exemption Screening Tool (MI WEST)

This tool was designed for community partners to help Michiganders navigate new work requirements for Healthy Michigan Plan Medicaid.

This is not a determination or an application.
This is not designed to assess Medicaid eligibility in general. For more information about general eligibility, visit SDHHS' Medicaid website.
Information provided here cannot be used as proof when applying for or renewing Medicaid benefits.
This tool does not save or store any information. Download, print, or copy the summary when you're done if you need a record.
Results reflect someone's situation at the time they use the tool. If they wait to apply or renew, the results may no longer be accurate.
For more details about Medicaid work requirements, visit SDHHS' State Expansion Plan (SEP) website.

Household members

Only adults ages 19–64 who are on the Healthy Michigan Plan are subject to work requirements. Add each adult separately — the tool tracks their status individually.

State Expansion Plan (SEP)

State Expansion Plan (SEP): Do any of these situations apply to this person?
(Check all that apply)

Work requirements only apply to people enrolled in SEP, sometimes called the Medicaid expansion population. If you already know this person has HMP coverage, check the last box in this section, "None of these apply." If you don't know if someone is on HMP, this section helps determine if work requirements will apply.

Under 19 or 65 and older

Children and older adults are typically not on SEP and are not subject to work requirements.

Receives SSI or SSDI due to a disability

Adults on SSI/SSDI are typically not on SEP and are generally not subject to work requirements.

Enrolled in or entitled to Medicare Part A or Part B

People with Medicare coverage are generally not subject to work requirements.

Former foster youth under 26

Anyone who aged out of foster care at age 18, and is under 26 now, is generally not subject to work requirements.

None of these apply (likely on HMP)

If you know someone is on HMP, check this box.

Disability + health conditions

Health-related exemptions: Do any of these situations apply to this person?
(Check all that apply)

People should report all applicable exemptions on their applications and renewals. At application, people should report exemptions that apply for the current month and last month — the month may determine the coverage start date. At renewal, people only need to have had an exemption for one month since their last renewal to be exempt.

Currently pregnant

Pregnant people are not subject to work requirements. This person will need to tell MDHHS their due date and how many babies they're expecting.

Postpartum or was pregnant in the last 12 months

Postpartum people are exempt for the full 12 months after a pregnancy ends. This person will need to tell MDHHS the date their pregnancy ended.

Living with a physical, intellectual, or developmental disability that makes it hard to work

The disability must make it hard to work and do daily activities such as eating, bathing, walking, or getting out of a bed/chair.

Living with a mental health disorder that makes it hard to work

The mental health condition must make it hard to work. This exemption includes conditions such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, etc.

Living with a drug or alcohol disorder that makes it hard to work

The disorder must make it hard to work. This exemption includes people who have been in recovery for less than 5 years. This is considered a separate exemption from being in a treatment program for a drug or alcohol disorder.

In a treatment program for a drug or alcohol disorder

This is considered a separate exemption from living with a drug or alcohol disorder.

Living with a serious health condition that makes it hard to work

The health condition must make it hard to work. Exemptions include conditions that are life threatening, cause significant pain, require major effort or regular treatment, or that need coordination of multiple specialties. For example: cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDs, viral hepatitis, etc.

Traveling outside their community to get medical care

Traveling outside their community to get medical care for themselves or a dependent. "Outside their community" means traveling beyond the area someone normally relies on for daily living and health care services. Because communities vary across Michigan "outside their community" can mean different things (for some communities it could mean traveling one hour away, for others it may mean traveling less or more).

Receiving medical care

Receiving care in a hospital for more than 24 hours, or getting a similar level of care at another location such as a nursing facility, psychiatric hospital, clinic, the VA, at-home care, etc.

None of these apply

Why you might see this term: "Medically frail" is the legal term the law uses for some health-related exemptions — you may see it on state forms, guidance documents, or applications.

What counts under the law: The law describes the following categories when defining medically frail: blindness or disability; substance use disorder; a disabling mental disorder; a physical, intellectual, or developmental disability that significantly limits daily activities; or a serious or complex medical condition. The law also clarifies that these conditions must make it hard to work to count as an exemption. People can self-attest in 2027 — they do not need formal documentation to claim this exemption at this time.

For more information about medical frailty, including examples and conditions, visit Michigan's medical frailty webpage.

Other exemptions + situations

General exemptions: Do any of these situations apply to this person?
(Check all that apply)

People should report all applicable exemptions on their applications and renewals. At application, people should report exemptions that apply for the current month and last month — the month may determine the coverage start date. At renewal, people only need to have had an exemption for one month since their last renewal to be exempt.

A parent of a child under 14

Parents of children under 14 are exempt from work requirements.

A non-parent caregiver of a child under 14

This includes relatives, household members, or others providing regular care. Select to see sub-options below.

Is this person...

A relative of a child under 14

Relatives caring for a child under 14 don't need to meet a minimum hours requirement.

Living with a child under 14

Household members caring for a child under 14 don't need to meet a minimum hours requirement.

Providing at least 80 hours of care per month for a child under 14

People providing at least 80 hours of care per month for a child under 14 count under this exemption.

Providing less than 80 hours of care per month for a child under 14

People providing less than 80 hours of care for a child under 14 aren't exempt, but their hours can count as work activities. They should report caregiving hours to MDHHS.

A caregiver of someone with a disability

This includes caring for someone with a physical or mental condition that makes it much harder for them to do major everyday activities such as eating, walking, or getting out of a bed/chair. Select to see sub-options below.

Is this person...

A relative of a person with a disability

Relatives caring for someone with a disability don't need to meet a minimum hours requirement.

Living with a person with a disability

Household members caring for someone with a disability don't need to meet a minimum hours requirement.

Providing at least 80 hours of care per month for a person with a disability

People providing at least 80 hours of care per month for someone with a disability count under this exemption.

Providing less than 80 hours of care per month for someone with a disability

People providing less than 80 hours of care for someone with a disability aren't exempt, but their hours can count as work activities. They should report caregiving hours to MDHHS.

A disabled veteran

Must have a disability rated as total from the VA.

American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN)

A member of an Indian tribe, including American Indian, Alaska Native, or someone eligible for Indian Health Service coverage.

Already required to meet SNAP or TANF work requirements

Select to see sub-options below.

Which of these apply?

Receiving SNAP — already required to meet SNAP work requirements

People who are receiving SNAP and required to meet the SNAP work requirements are exempt from Medicaid work requirements.

Receiving SNAP — exempt from SNAP work requirements

People who are exempt from SNAP work requirements are not automatically exempt from Medicaid work requirements.

Receiving TANF — already required to meet TANF work requirements

People who must already meet TANF (cash assistance) work requirements are exempt from Medicaid work requirements.

In jail or prison now or in the past 3 months

Exempt while in prison and for three months after they are released.

None of these apply

People in some counties with federally declared disasters or high unemployment rates are automatically exempt from work requirements. To see which counties are affected visit Michigan's unemployment and disaster webpage.

Already meeting work requirements

Already meeting work requirements: this person

There are three ways to meet the Medicaid work requirement: meeting or exceeding a minimum household income threshold, being a student half-time or more, or reporting 80 hours of work activities in a month. Any one of these three is enough.

🏠 Household question

Household income: Does this household make at least $580 in monthly income?

Households making $580 or more count as meeting the work requirement, using MAGI household income calculations. Income includes all jobs, short-term / contract work, seasonal work, and unearned income such as unemployment. States will try to verify this income using wage data before asking for additional verification. Income from seasonal work can be averaged across 12 months.

This is about the whole household's income, not just this person — you'll only need to answer it once, no matter how many household members you add.

Yes — earned at least $580 this month, last month, or in at least one month since their last renewal

Households that earn at least $580 per month (or an average of $580 over the last 12 months for seasonal workers) meet the work requirement through income. New applicants will need to show $580 or more in income for the month they apply or the month before. People renewing will need to show $580 or more in income during any one month since their last renewal.

No — earns below $580 per month or monthly income is unknown

Income for households that earn less than $580 per month may still count toward meeting the requirement, but additional activities may be necessary.

Student status: Is this person enrolled in a college, vocational, or GED equivalent program?

Students enrolled at least half-time meet the work requirement. The number of hours considered as half-time enrollment is determined by each school or program. Part-time student hours can count towards the 80-hour requirement.

Yes — enrolled at least half-time

Being a student at least half-time counts as meeting the work requirement. MDHHS will try to verify this using enrollment records before asking for more information. This person will need to tell MDHHS which type of program they're in (K-12, GED, college/university, vocational, or trade/technical training) and the name of their school.

Not currently enrolled or enrolled less than half-time

Part-time student hours can count toward the 80-hour requirement for work activities (see qualifying activities below).

Qualifying activities: Is this person already doing at least 80 hours of qualifying activities per month?

Activities can be combined to reach 80 hours. Select each one that applies.

A job, internship, or short-term / contract work

Working people should report all work on their application or renewal. MDHHS will try to verify automatically, no additional proof is needed unless requested.

Hours per month:

Self-employment

Self-employed people should report all self-employment on their application or renewal. MDHHS will try to verify automatically, but additional documentation such as bank statements, invoices, or a self-attestation form may be requested in a verification letter.

Hours per month:

Unpaid work

Unpaid work includes work done in exchange for goods or services (sometimes called work "in-kind"). People doing unpaid work should report hours on their application or renewal. This person will need to tell MDHHS the organization, the month, and the number of hours.

Hours per month:

Work program

Work programs include state-run programs through MichiganWorks!. People in a work program should report the program on their application or renewal. Participation records from the program usually count as verification, if requested in a verification letter. This person will need to tell MDHHS the organization, the month, and the number of hours.

Hours per month:

Volunteering or community service

Community service includes volunteering with a non-profit, school, emergency relief organization, or other organization. Volunteers should report their hours on their application or renewal. This person will need to tell MDHHS the organization, the month, and the number of hours.

Hours per month:

Part-time school or vocational program

For part-time students, 1 credit hour equals 13 work activity hours per month. For programs that do not use credit hours, any hours spent in class and participating in educational activities count (such as training, lab work, etc.). Students should report their student status on their application or renewal. Enrollment records can typically serve as verification, if requested in a verification letter.

Hours per month:

Caregiving

Caregivers of children under 14 or someone with a disability can count their caregiving hours. Caregivers should report their hours on their application or renewal. This person will need to tell MDHHS the month and the number of hours.

Hours per month:

Not currently completing any work activities

Total hours0 out of 80

On verification: States check wage data and other existing data records first. People may only need to provide proof if the state can't verify information automatically. It may help to have records available when possible such as pay stubs, class schedules, or letters from organizations they volunteer with.

Your summary

Selections will appear here as you work through the guide.

Popular on michigan.gov

How Do I...

Michigan Work & Exemption Screening Tool

Michigan Work & Exemption Screening Tool (MI WEST)

Michigan Work & Exemption Screening Tool (MI WEST)

Household members

State Expansion Plan (SEP)

State Expansion Plan (SEP): Do any of these situations apply to this person?
(Check all that apply)

Disability + health conditions

Health-related exemptions: Do any of these situations apply to this person?
(Check all that apply)

Other exemptions + situations

General exemptions: Do any of these situations apply to this person?
(Check all that apply)

Already meeting work requirements

Already meeting work requirements: this person

Household income: Does this household make at least $580 in monthly income?

Student status: Is this person enrolled in a college, vocational, or GED equivalent program?

Qualifying activities: Is this person already doing at least 80 hours of qualifying activities per month?

Your summary

Your summary

Summary and next steps

Popular on michigan.gov

How Do I...

Michigan Work & Exemption Screening Tool

Michigan Work & Exemption Screening Tool (MI WEST)

Michigan Work & Exemption Screening Tool (MI WEST)

Household members

State Expansion Plan (SEP)

State Expansion Plan (SEP): Do any of these situations apply to this person?(Check all that apply)

Disability + health conditions

Health-related exemptions: Do any of these situations apply to this person?(Check all that apply)

Other exemptions + situations

General exemptions: Do any of these situations apply to this person?(Check all that apply)

Already meeting work requirements

Already meeting work requirements: this person

Household income: Does this household make at least $580 in monthly income?

Student status: Is this person enrolled in a college, vocational, or GED equivalent program?

Qualifying activities: Is this person already doing at least 80 hours of qualifying activities per month?

Your summary

State Expansion Plan (SEP): Do any of these situations apply to this person?
(Check all that apply)

Health-related exemptions: Do any of these situations apply to this person?
(Check all that apply)

General exemptions: Do any of these situations apply to this person?
(Check all that apply)