States and Cities Sue to Block New Public-Charge Rule
Two coalitions sued DHS on September 14 over a public-charge rule set to broaden immigration officers’ discretion for covered applications on September 18.
Public Benefits
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Medicaid Work-Rule Guidance Sets Jan. 1 Deadline and 80-Hour Test
CMS has set a Jan. 1, 2027, Medicaid deadline. Affected adults may need 80 hours of work, school or service, with exemptions and a 30-day appeal window.
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Social Security adds 14 conditions to fast-track disability list
SSA added 14 conditions to its Compassionate Allowances list, which can speed disability claims while leaving SSDI and SSI eligibility rules unchanged.
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Illinois Medicaid customers face new coverage deadlines as October changes near
Some Illinois noncitizens may lose full-scope Medicaid coverage Oct. 1. Here are the eligibility categories, deadlines and steps customers should take now.
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GAO: 15 of 20 Major Benefit Programs Lacked Fraud-Risk Documentation
A revised GAO report found that only five of 20 major state-administered programs documented fraud-risk assessments across $1.1 trillion in obligations.
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Hayward commission approves hyperscale data-center project
Hayward’s Planning Commission approved a large hyperscale data-center project after a July hearing, drawing concerns about power demand, scale and city oversight.
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USDA will require SNAP retailers to stock more staple foods beginning in fall 2026
A final USDA rule will require SNAP-authorized retailers nationwide to carry seven varieties of staple foods across four categories, while increasing perishable-food requirements and closing loopholes for some snack foods.
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Rhode Island DHS brought public-benefits outreach to Greenville Public Library
The Rhode Island Department of Human Services held an in-person outreach event July 15 at Greenville Public Library, giving residents a local place to seek information about state human-services programs.
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Florida Medicaid open enrollment begins Oct. 1: What beneficiaries should watch now
Florida Medicaid open enrollment runs Oct. 1-Nov. 30, 2026. Beneficiaries can keep their plan or request a change effective Dec. 1, while some adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have a separate voluntary ICMC option.
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New Public-Charge Rule Broadens Immigration Officers’ Discretion
A DHS rule taking effect September 18 broadens public-charge reviews, raising uncertainty for immigrant and mixed-status families that use benefits.
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Connecticut begins distributing $300 grocery benefits to residents who lost SNAP eligibility
Connecticut began distributing one-time $300 grocery benefits Aug. 4 to some residents who lost SNAP eligibility under new federal work rules. Eligible residents must contact a local community action agency rather than wait for an EBT deposit.
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States sue over federal access to TANF recipient data
Twenty-two states and D.C. sued over a federal notice covering TANF records, including Social Security numbers and immigration-status information.
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Connecticut HUSKY D members face new federal work rules beginning in 2027
Some Connecticut adults enrolled in or applying for HUSKY D may need to document work, education, training or community service beginning January 1, 2027. Exemptions and Connecticut’s verification process are still developing.
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Pennsylvania families have until Aug. 31 to claim 2026 SUN Bucks
Pennsylvania families can apply by Aug. 31 for a one-time $120 SUN Bucks grocery benefit per eligible child. Applications received after the deadline will be considered for summer 2027.
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Illinois Medicaid changes for many noncitizens are approaching. Notices will arrive in August
Illinois will send personalized Medicaid notices in August before coverage ends Sept. 30 for some noncitizens under new federal eligibility rules.
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Governors confront the next phase of Medicaid and SNAP changes
States are preparing for Medicaid community-engagement rules and higher SNAP costs as technology, staffing, outreach and accuracy decisions approach key deadlines.
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Nebraska Medicaid Work-Requirement Reviews Begin for First Renewal Group
Nebraska began Medicaid expansion work requirements May 1. Existing members are reviewed during their regular renewal, with the first affected eligibility periods ending July 31, 2026.
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Arkansas Medicaid Work-Requirement Checks Begin, With Penalties Delayed Until 2027
Arkansas DHS is checking records for many ARHOME enrollees during a six-month soft implementation. Notices may arrive now, but penalties under the new requirement begin no earlier than January 1, 2027.
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Ohio Medicaid Work Requirements: What Enrollees Need to Know Before 2027
Ohio Medicaid’s new 80-hour monthly community-engagement requirement begins January 1, 2027. Here is who may be affected, how Ohio plans to verify eligibility and what enrollees should do before notices arrive.
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New Hampshire Medicaid Members Should Prepare for 2027 Work-Requirement Changes
New Hampshire is preparing Granite Advantage members for federal Medicaid changes beginning January 1, 2027, including an 80-hour monthly community-engagement standard for applicable adults.
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Kentucky Medicaid Members Begin Getting Notices About 2027 Community-Engagement Rules
Kentucky Medicaid’s first notices are informational, but some adults may need to document work, education, training, volunteering or qualifying income before applying or renewing coverage in 2027.
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Montana Medicaid Work Rules Are in Effect. What Enrollees Need to Do Before October
Montana Medicaid Expansion adults ages 19 to 64 generally must document 80 hours of monthly activity, but coverage denials or disenrollment for noncompliance are not scheduled until October 2026.