As the Family and Social Services Administration continues preparing members, providers and community partners for the Jan. 1, 2027, launch of HIP Work Requirements, these updates will keep you informed on key milestones, new materials, partner activities and upcoming outreach events.
Our goal is to ensure everyone across the state has clear, consistent information about the 80‑hour monthly requirement, exemptions and reporting through the Benefits Portal.
Updated FAQs
The following questions and answers have been added to the FAQ.
Can you tell me when my three-month lookback period will begin?
For new applicants to be approved for HIP, the lookback period will be three months before the application month.
- Example: Apply in January, lookback will be December, November and October.
For existing HIP members, the lookback period will be three months before the renewal month or three months before the quarterly work requirements review.
- Example: Renewal month is May, look back will be April, March and February
I received a notice of HIP Work Requirements and was curious about the 80 hour requirement… does income over $580/month mean I don’t also need the 80 hours?
Correct. The requirement is either 80 hours of qualifying activity or income equal to federal minimum wage multiplied by 80 ($7.25 x 80 = $580).
I am considering enrolling in an online college. Would the classes have to be part of a degree program and can they be online?
Coursework at an accredited institution of higher learning, as well as high school or GED courses, can be counted. Classes may take place in-person or online.
I am self-employed with a LLC partnership, so I do not have a paycheck, and split income annually with my spouse. We both work 40–50 hours weekly. How should we maneuver this?
An individual can provide documentation of the hours of self-employment and/or earnings by the most recent year’s tax returns or other business documentation.
I currently live off modest returns from personal investments. If I show $580/month or more, does that count as self employment without tracking hours?
All income that is counted in Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) budgeting counts towards meeting work requirements. This would include any income which is taxable, as well as Social Security income.
What counts as medically frail?
FSSA is still working with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on the medical frailty requirements for HIP Work Requirements exclusions, including the stipulation that the condition significantly impairs the individual’s ability to comply with work/community engagement requirements. More guidance will be made available.
Upcoming Town Halls
FSSA, in partnership with Covering Kids & Families, will host a series of public town halls across the state to help HIP members, providers and community partners learn more about the upcoming HIP Work Requirements.
The town halls are scheduled for the following dates and locations, with additional events planned throughout the year:
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Sept. 21: Indianapolis, Indiana Government Center South
- Address: 402 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46207
- Building: Indiana Government Center South, Conference Room A
- Time: 1 to 2:30 p.m. ET
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Sept. 24: South Bend, South Bend Technology Resource Center
- Address: 1165 Franklin St., #100, South Bend, IN 46601
- Building: Community Common Space
- Time: 9 to 10 a.m. ET
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Oct. 1: Ivy Tech Sellersburg
- Address: 8204 Highway 311, Sellersburg, IN 47172
- Building Ogle, Door 8, Community Room 179
- Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m. ET
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Oct. 8: Ivy Tech Valparaiso
- Address: 3100 Ivy Tech Drive Valparaiso, IN 46383
- Building: Community Center - Room D125
- Time: 6-7:30 p.m. CT
HIP Work Requirements Pre-Screening Tool
To help HIP members determine whether they may be subject to or exempt from the upcoming requirements, FSSA has launched the HIP Work Requirements Pre-Screening Tool.
The tool asks individuals to provide information about:
- Applicable exemptions
- Health-related factors
- Work activities
- Income
After submitting their information, users can immediately see whether they may be required to meet HIP Work Requirements.
Partner Toolkit
To help raise awareness of HIP Work Requirements, FSSA has created a partner toolkit. The toolkit includes handouts, posters, social media posts, informational videos and much more.
Please consider sharing materials and promoting available resources and events.