Changes coming to Medicaid, SNAP as Kentucky advocates explain what residents need to know

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Changes are coming to Medicaid and SNAP in Kentucky, while rising housing costs continue to put pressure on low-income and working families.

Those issues were discussed Tuesday at the Bob Kirby Branch Library in Bowling Green during ThriveKY’s Advocacy for Thriving Communities Road Show.

The statewide road show brings advocates into Kentucky communities to provide updates on state and federal policies affecting programs that make up the social safety net, including Medicaid, SNAP and housing assistance.

One of the biggest Medicaid changes discussed involves certain adults covered through the Medicaid expansion.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, certain expansion adults ages 19 to 64 will be required to document 80 hours per month of qualifying activities, such as work, education, job training or community service or meet a specified earned-income threshold. Certain exemptions and hardship provisions apply.

Cody Kemmer, communications associate for Kentucky Voices for Health, said the new requirements will also mean more frequent reporting and paperwork for some Medicaid recipients.

“The biggest piece is probably the work reporting requirements, which will be more frequent and require a lot more paper,” Kemmer said.

Kentucky also plans to move Medicaid expansion members to six-month renewal cycles, making it important for people to keep their information current and respond to notices from the state.

Kemmer said people should not assume they have lost coverage simply because of the changes.

“The best thing they can do is make sure that the state has the most contact information,” Kemmer said. “Watch your mail to get your instructions, respond properly to whatever the state says, and let them decide if you’re eligible or not.”

SNAP is also undergoing changes at the federal level, including expanded work requirements and changes to some exemptions.

Jessica Klein, a senior policy associate with the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, said paperwork and compliance requirements can create additional barriers for people trying to maintain benefits.

“What we’ve been hearing is just how difficult it is to continue to comply with all the paperwork barriers to the program,” Klein said.

Klein said some people may qualify for exemptions from work-reporting requirements, including people with certain disabilities or those participating in qualifying education programs.

Housing was another focus of Tuesday’s discussion.

Adrienne Bush, executive director of the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky, said rising rents, housing costs and a shortage of affordable homes are putting particular pressure on low-income renters.

“It is our poor and working class, extremely low income renters,” Bush said. “Those are the folks who are most vulnerable to any price shocks.”

Bush said Kentucky has an estimated shortage of roughly 200,000 homes, with particularly significant gaps among extremely low-income renters.

She said Bowling Green faces additional housing pressure because of its growth, proximity to Nashville and status as a college town, but added that growth also provides an opportunity to expand the local housing supply.

The ThriveKY event was designed primarily for community leaders, nonprofit organizations, public employees, educators, faith leaders, counselors, librarians and other people who work with Kentucky residents.

The road show also provides professional development opportunities for several professions, including social workers and certified community health workers.

For Kentuckians concerned about changes to Medicaid or SNAP, advocates recommend keeping contact information up to date, watching for official notices, completing required paperwork and checking whether an exemption applies.

People who are unsure about their eligibility or a notice they receive are encouraged to seek assistance rather than assuming they no longer qualify.