Resources and Toolkits

Common policy missteps states may take in efforts to reduce SNAP payment error rates (PERs), such as adopting change reporting, imposing asset tests, or limiting discretionary exemptions, can have unintended effects of increasing error rates. Instead, states should make informed policy choices, such as adopting simplified reporting, waiving asset tests, allowing discretionary exemptions, and implementing…

Analysis examining how states are likely to implement H.R. 1’s Medicaid provisions, including work requirements and other policies that can put eligible people at risk of losing coverage due to administrative barriers.The resource outlines key implementation timelines under both early and standard implementation scenarios, highlighting the first and last enrollee cohorts affected, major state policy…

JAMA Health Forum Viewpoint article examining how states can implement the Medicaid “medical frailty” exemptions under HR 1’s new work reporting requirements with recommendations for states to use flexible, clinically driven standards, multiple data sources, and priortize transparency to identify such individuals and prevent harmful coverage disruptions.

States face an unrealistic timeline to implement Medicaid work requirements by January 2027 due to the compliance demands of data integration, system upgrades, and application portal modifications. These challenges are compounded by limited federal guidance, technical system constraints, and insufficient state capacity, making it difficult for states to adapt and administer the changes effectively. Consequently,…

Tracker displaying most recent federal and state agency data on SNAP participation, along with unemployment trends.

Guidance on state policy chocies that tend to increase SNAP payment error rates include requiring change reporting or monthly reporting, imposing asset tests, and limiting discretionary exemptions. In contrast, states can reduce errors by simplifying reporting requirements, using BBCE, applying exemptions, and using one-month lookbacks to minimize reassessments and ensure coverage for eligible populations.

States can simplify and streamline determinations for individuals and agenciesand, reduce administrative burden, and minimize unnecessary coverage loss by leveraging the overlap in compliance activities and exemption reasons for individuals applying for or enrolled in both programs. Strategies on aligning exemptions, sharing data, and integrating verification processes highlighted through process flows and crosswalks.

CMS is offering states an open source, consent-based verification tool to streamline implementation of the Medicaid work requirement. This supports income verification for non-traditional workers, allows applicant review, and enables flexible system integration. Emmy API will also provide a single point of access for relevant data sources.

Resource explaining how SNAP’s BBCE helps working families qualify for food assistance by easing income and asset limits. It also outlines the potential negative impacts, such as increased food insecurity, if BBCE were eliminated.

Webinar session to discuss Medicaid unwinding lessons, strategies to coordinate work requirement and ex parte renewals, and methods toward designing flexible, efficient, and sustainable systems. Passcode: ^m3Q+Fuz

Webinar communicating new Medicaid work reporting requirements under H.R.1, highlighting how strong outreach strategies can help states protect coverage and support implementation. Experts from GMMB and Health Equity Solutions shared a communications framework and emphasized engaging enrollees in planning and message development.

Resource outlining data and analytic approaches to support states through the technology implementation and integration process for Medicaid work requirements, with a focus on medical frailty exemptions.

A free resource that focuses on strategies that states can test immediately to reduce PER and lessen the burden on frontline eligibility workers

A CMS-developed suite of open-source tools that streamlines income and community engagement reporting for Medicaid applicants and enrollees

Chart summary of OBBBA provisions on work and community engagement requirements across SNAP, Medicaid, and TANF, with FAQs from state administrators and advocates to support implementation.

Timeline of key OBBBA Medicaid policy changes, highlighting those with greatest operational impact and upcoming deadlines for state and territory agencies.

Toolkit outlining federal statutory definitions for qualifying activities and mandatory exemptions, describing criteria for ex parte verifications, and assessing need for additional application questions.

Toolkit outlining key implementation milestones for states to launch work reporting requirements including creation of governance structure, shaping policy and operational design (e.g. defining state choice for “look back period”, qualifying compliance activities, etc.), preparing staff and systems readiness, partner engagement, enrollee education, and monitoring and oversight.

Implementation details on Medicaid work requirements outlining affected populations, exemptions, compliance pathways, information on state policy choices, and implementation timeline.

Implementation-oriented framework to support states with adapting to community engagement/work requirements. Features overview of “look back” period and four-step compliance flow including: checking for automatic hardship, screening for exemptions, checking for participation, and allowing for requestable hardship.

Toolkit for states to define “medical frailty” work reporting requirement exemption through mechanism of alignment while aligning with CMS standards.

Guide to provide states with policy and technical strategies to reduce procedural terminations under Medicaid work requirements, including simplifying verification processes, mitigating automation risks, managing vendor

Outlines strategies to reduce coverage losses including minimizing administrative and applicant burden, streamlining verification processes, creating accessible and user-friendly forms and portals, and strengthening communication and outreach efforts.

Repository of resources for state administrators to support the implementation of work requirement policies through overview of implications and recommendations of smart system designs and processes.

Features interviews from seven states on adaptation journeys in response to SNAP and Medicaid on integrated eligibility and enrollment. Insights include states awaiting federal guidance, standing up work groups, putting technology road map placeholders, prioritizing SNAP PER, making changes to end-of-life systems, rethinking data sharing, and considering population impacts.

A central resource library for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments working to implement public benefits policy and system changes created through OBBBA, featuring Medicaid work requirements and SNAP PER topic sections.

Blueprint on how work requirement policy impacts the process of SNAP application, determination, and maintained eligibility. Provides human-centered implementation recommendations such as focused support, ease of exemptions, discovery/comprehensive interview to capture compliance.

Various templates for state and local governments to meet OBBBA requirements, including primers for program staff and state leadership, targeted flyers for populations (e.g. veterans, unhoused, older adults), and work requirements checklists.