October Hours and a January Checkup: Indiana's New HIP Work Rule

Questions this episode answers

Key facts

• Indiana begins enforcing HIP work requirements January 1, 2027, under federal law.
• Who: HIP adults 19 to 64, not pregnant, not on Medicare, not exempt.
• Each month, one of: 80 hours of work, volunteering, job training, a work program or an internship (any mix); at least $580 in earnings; or school at least half time.
• January 2027 applicants are checked on October, November and December 2026. Already on HIP: your FSSA notice gives your dates.
• You can appeal, and you can reapply at any time.
• Report: FSSABenefits.IN.gov or 1-800-403-0864.
• Free FSSA town hall: October 26, Ivy Tech Kokomo, 6 to 7:30 pm ET.
• HIP income limit: $1,835.50 a month for 1, effective March 1, 2026.

Chapters

1. 00:00Last time: Texas SNAP, up to $1,023 a month for a family of four (estimated)
2. 00:09Hook: what does this October have to do with a doctor visit in January?
3. 00:24This is Your Daily Benefit
4. 00:26The surprise: Indiana's new work rule, and the state looks back
5. 00:48What HIP is: Indiana's health coverage for adults 19 to 64
6. 01:18Separate: the new work rule, from a national law
7. 01:42One of three each month: 80 hours, $580, or school half time
8. 02:36The October twist: apply in January, and October counts
9. 02:52Already on HIP? Your letter gives your dates
10. 03:05Some people don't have to: the state's HIP page and your letter explain who
11. 03:21A made up worker who mixes a job and volunteering
12. 03:50If it goes wrong: appeal, or apply again any time
13. 04:09Free town hall in Kokomo, October 26
14. 04:21Recap, and how to report

Find help

• Full episode page with transcript
• All Your Daily Benefit episodes
• Indiana Medicaid Work Requirements: HIP Work Requirements 2027 Explained (Benefit Bull guide)
• Indiana Medicaid Income Limits 2026, With HIP (Benefit Bull guide)
• See what help may be out there for you at Benefit Bull

Benefit Bull helps you find programs. You always apply yourself, through the official program, and applying is free.

Sources

Full transcript

1. 00:01

   Host 1: So, last time we talked about Texas food help, which is up to $1,023 a month for a family of four, estimated. But today I have a riddle for you.

2. 00:11

   Host 2: Oh, okay, let's hear it.

3. 00:13

   Host 1: What does this October have to do with a doctor visit in January?

4. 00:19

   Host 2: I mean, I am guessing it is not about like new year goals.

5. 00:23

   Host 1: No, it is not. This is Your Daily Benefit. We are looking at a big change today. Indiana has a new work rule for health coverage.

6. 00:31

   Host 2: Right.

7. 00:32

   Host 1: It starts January 1, 2027.

8. 00:34

   Host 2: Yeah, but here's the big surprise. Exactly. Say you apply in January.

9. 00:40

   Host 1: The state actually looks back.

10. 00:42

    Host 2: They look back three whole months. Right.

11. 00:45

    Host 1: They look at your activities in October, November, and December. Okay, so before we talk about the new rule, we need to set the baseline. Let's talk about HIP.

12. 00:53

    Host 2: Right. HIP is Indiana's health coverage for adults.

13. 00:57

    Host 1: And when we say adults, we mean ages 19 to 64.

14. 01:00

    Host 2: Yes.

15. 01:01

    Host 1: Okay. So let's look at the income limit. It is about $1,835 a month for one person.

16. 01:07

    Host 2: And that is before taxes.

17. 01:09

    Host 1: And it is completely free to apply.

18. 01:12

    Host 2: Totally free. You apply for it yourself.

19. 01:15

    Host 1: Just go to the state.

20. 01:15

    Host 2: You use the real program website or phone line.

21. 01:18

    Host 1: Okay, so that is HIP. Now, separate from that, let's talk about the new work rule.

22. 01:26

    Host 2: Right. And this rule actually comes from a national law.

23. 01:29

    Host 1: Oh, a national law.

24. 01:31

    Host 2: Mm-hmm.

25. 01:31

    Host 1: But Indiana starts checking it on January 1, 2027?

26. 01:35

    Host 2: Yes, so if you live in another state, you should watch your mail too.

27. 01:38

    Host 1: That is a great tip, but let's stick to Indiana. Every single month, you only need to do one of three things.

28. 01:46

    Host 2: Just one. You pick what works for you. So option one is hours. You need 80 hours in the month, but you know you can use any mix of things to get there.

29. 01:58

    Host 1: Like what?

30. 01:58

    Host 2: Like work, volunteering, job training, a work program, or an internship. Any mix of those.

31. 02:05

    Host 1: Wait, really? So you don't have to just work a traditional 80 hour job?

32. 02:10

    Host 2: No, you do not.

33. 02:11

    Host 1: If you are in job training and you are volunteering, you can just mix those together to hit the number.

34. 02:17

    Host 2: Yes, you just add them up. Let's look at option two. Option two is money. You earn at least $580 that month.

35. 02:26

    Host 1: And to be clear, this $580 is what you earn at a job.

36. 02:29

    Host 2: Right, not a payment or a benefit given to you.

37. 02:33

    Host 1: Okay, and option three is school.

38. 02:34

    Host 2: School, at least half time.

39. 02:37

    Host 1: But let's go back to that October twist.

40. 02:39

    Host 2: Yeah, this is the part you really have to watch.

41. 02:42

    Host 1: So you apply in January 2027.

42. 02:45

    Host 2: The state actually looks back three months. Right. They look at October, November, and December of 2026.

43. 02:50

    Host 1: That is why the things you do right now matter. But what if you are already enrolled? What if you already have the coverage?

44. 02:56

    Host 2: Then your letter from Indiana's family services office gives your dates.

45. 03:00

    Host 1: So everyone has different dates?

46. 03:02

    Host 2: Yes, you have to read your mail. Do not lose that letter.

47. 03:05

    Host 1: But some people don't have to follow this new work rule, right?

48. 03:09

    Host 2: Right. Some people don't have to.

49. 03:11

    Host 1: So how do you know if you are one of them?

50. 03:13

    Host 2: The state's HIP page and your letter explain exactly who.

51. 03:17

    Host 1: So do not guess?

52. 03:19

    Host 2: No, please do not guess. Just check the page and the letter. Let's show how this works in real life.

53. 03:24

    Host 1: Let's use a pretend worker.

54. 03:27

    Host 1: And just so everyone knows, this person is completely made up.

55. 03:30

    Host 2: Right.

56. 03:30

    Host 1: So she has a part-time job, but it does not reach 80 hours on its own.

57. 03:35

    Host 2: Okay. So she needs more hours. Yeah.

58. 03:37

    Host 1: But she also volunteers. So her job hours and her volunteer hours add up to meet the rule.

59. 03:44

    Host 2: She keeps track starting in October.

60. 03:45

    Host 1: And she reports it herself online or by phone.

61. 03:49

    Host 2: Right, she has to report it herself. But what happens if it goes wrong?

62. 03:52

    Host 1: Like the state says she did not meet the rule.

63. 03:54

    Host 2: There are two simple facts. First, you can appeal.

64. 03:58

    Host 1: Which just means you ask the state to look again. And the second fact?

65. 04:02

    Host 2: Second, you can apply again any time, there is no wait.

66. 04:06

    Host 1: Wait.

67. 04:07

    Host 2: Right. Really?

68. 04:08

    Host 1: No wait at all?

69. 04:08

    Host 2: No wait.

70. 04:09

    Host 1: Now, if you want some in-person help, there is a free town hall coming up. It is on October 26 at Ivy Tech in Kokomo. That is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern.

71. 04:20

    Host 2: It is completely free.

72. 04:22

    Host 1: So let's review the main points. Keep your eyes on this October. Remember the three paths.

73. 04:27

    Host 2: Hours, money, or school.

74. 04:29

    Host 1: And please, read the mail you get from your state.

75. 04:31

    Host 2: Yes, read your mail and remember you apply and report yourself.

76. 04:36

    Host 1: Where do they go?

77. 04:37

    Host 2: You go to FSSABenefits.IN.gov or you call 1-800-403-0864.

78. 04:45

    Host 1: And hey, this and a lot more, you can find at benefitbull.com.

79. 04:49

    Disclosure: Quick note: the voices on Your Daily Benefit are AI generated.