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Work and Community Engagement Requirement
NOTE: This policy represents preliminary guidance and is subject to change based on developing federal and state guidance.
Beginning January 1, 2027, all new applicants eligible for the MAGI new adult group (M1, 1C, 1J, 1M, aid codes) are subject to a new Work and Community Engagement Requirement (WCER) as a condition of eligibility unless they qualify for an exemption. For members currently enrolled in the MAGI new adult group, the rule applies at their next scheduled renewal, beginning with renewals due in March 2027 and ongoing.
The new requirement applies only to the new adult group members, regardless of immigration status, and does not impact other Medi-Cal program members (Non-MAGI, Children's Group, or Pregnancy Group, Restricted-Scope). Medi-Cal eligibility is determined at the individual level, and only those in the new adult group must meet WCER.
When determining Medi-Cal eligibility for the WCER population, the SSBS must first review all available information (ex-parte) to identify if the individual qualifies for an exemption before requesting additional information from the individual. If the individual does not qualify for an exemption, the SSBS must then review all available information, including electronic sources, to determine if the individual has met WCER through qualifying activities before requesting additional information.
Individuals only need to comply with WCER in one month to have met the requirement. This includes new applications and renewals; refer to the WCER at Application and WCER at Renewal topics for further guidance.
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