Medicaid is a low-income health insurance program available throughout the United States, and eligibility requirements generally depend primarily on income, household size, and, in some cases, specific conditions. The same thing happens with SNAP benefits, the “food stamp” program for low-income households that has a series of requirements that are more or less the same throughout the United States. Well, until now.
The Iowa Senate Appropriations Subcommittee this Thursday endorsed Senate File 599, a bill that modifies the work requirements to access Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The initiative seeks to align both programs with employment criteria, although it maintains exceptions for vulnerable groups.
State imposes work rules on Medicaid and SNAP benefits
The text directs the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to seek a federal waiver to impose work conditions on the Iowa Health and Welfare Plan (IHAWP), which covers adults with incomes up to 133% of the poverty level. The rules would apply to residents between 19 and 65 years old, excluding people with disabilities, parents of children under 6 years old, high-risk pregnant women and those receiving treatment for addictions.
Although a previous version required 20 hours of work or volunteering per week, the current version does not specify the number of hours required. This has raised questions about its implementation and possible effects on coverage. Organizations warn that the measure could increase hospital costs by limiting access to essential medications.
Leslie Carpenter of Iowa Mental Health Advocacy projected that 100 uninsured people would incur costs of $150,000 in a day of hospitalization, a figure that would rise to $1.3 million if they require a week. “These estimates are conservative: the real risk could be higher,” he said. Others pointed out that states like Georgia have failed on similar policies.
Maximum SNAP benefits allocations in 2025?
Until September 30, 2025, SNAP benefits will distribute the following maximums, according to household size:
- Household size 1: $292
- Household size 2: $536
- Household size 3: $768
- Household size 4: $975
- Household size 5: $1,158
- Household size 6: $1,390
- Household size 7: $1,536
- Household size 8: $1,756
- Each additional person: $220
Households also have to meet certain monthly income limits, which apply to the lower 48 states and D.C., Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These are the maximum monthly gross income limit, which is 130% of the federal poverty level (applies to the lower 48 states and District Columbia):
- Household size 1: $1,580
- Household size 2: $2,137
- Household size 3: $2,694
- Household size 4: $3,250
- Household size 5: $3,807
- Household size 6: $4,364
- Household size 7: $4,921
- Household size 8: $5,478
- Each additional person: $557
Medicaid Eligibility Requirements in 2025: Key Criteria
In 2025, Medicaid eligibility requirements vary by state, as we’ve seen in this article that happened in Iowa, but are based on common factors: income (with limits adjusted for household size and location), age (prioritizing children, seniors, and people with disabilities), citizenship (citizens or legal residents only), and state residency. Specific criteria also apply for pregnant women or those facing disabling medical conditions. Low income remains the focus, although the exact thresholds differ by jurisdiction.
We encourage you to get in touch with your local SNAP benefits or Medicaid office in order to determine if these changes affect your eligibility and what you have to do next (or if you don’t have to do anything at all).
