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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Benefit enrollment and application

Nov 10, 2026 - Notice of a proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) that would codify provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (OBBB) regarding the three-month time limit for certain participants subject to work requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Among other things, this rule proposes modifications to the list of exceptions from the time limit for certain populations; updates to requirements for areas to qualify for waivers of the time limit; and the addition of the temporary good faith exemptions in Alaska and Hawaii. Comments are due by December 10, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 10, 2026 - Notice of a proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) that proposes revisions to the categorical eligibility rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Revisions would limit categorical eligibility only to households that receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) assistance, as defined by 45 CFR 260.31(a). Comments are due by December 10, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 29, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing the re-establishment of a matching program between CMS and State-Based Administering Entities (AEs), titled "Determining Eligibility for Enrollment in Applicable State Health Subsidy Programs Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act." The matching program will enable CMS to provide information to AEs to assist in verifying applicant information to determine applicants' eligibility for enrollment in applicable state health subsidy programs under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. Comments are due by November 30, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 27, 2026 - Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding requirements outlined in the Working Families Tax Cut (WFTC) legislation related to health insurance exchange eligibility and verification. This proposed rule also includes updates to provisions affecting inconsistency periods, inconsistency verification procedures, and annual eligibility redeterminations and eligibility redeterminations during the plan year. This rule also proposes expanding enrollment methods during the verification process and establishing new coverage effective dates. Comments are due November 27, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 13, 2026 - An Albany, New York, Veterans Affairs mobile outreach initiative offers healthcare enrollment, benefits assistance, counseling referrals, and community resources in rural communities throughout northern New York. The North Country Caravan began operations in 2025 and was expanded in 2026.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Sep 23, 2026 - Notice of interim final rule with comment period from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) codifying its authority to impose a temporary moratorium pausing the registration of agents and brokers that do not have a current Plan Year registration with the Federally-facilitated exchanges. Specifically, this notice announces that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is imposing a temporary moratorium to pause the registration of agents and brokers that do not have Plan Year 2026 Exchange agreements with the Federally-facilitated exchanges and are seeking to enter into agreements with CMS to assist consumers with enrollment through the Federally-facilitated exchanges for Plan Year 2027. This moratorium does not affect registrations on the state-based exchanges. The moratorium is effective September 22, 2026, until February 1, 2027, unless it is modified by CMS in a subsequent Federal Register notice. This interim final rule is effective September 22, 2026. Comments are due by November 21, 2026.
Source: Federal Register