There is an app for yourtexasbenefits available on your smart phone.
Documentation needed:
Proof of identity – Current driver’s license or State ID card. If a persona has the right to act for you as your authorized representative, that person also needs to give proof of identity.
Immigration status – Resident card, arrival/departure form, or papers from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services – copies of front and back of these forms are needed.
Legal representative – Power of attorney papers, guardianship, court order, or similar court documents.
Veterans benefits, workers compensation or unemployment – award letter or paystubs.
Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, or Pension Benefits – Award Letter or pay stubs.
Military Service – Current Military ID, Military Orders, or Separation papers.
Loans, Gifts – Loan agreements or statement from the person giving you money or paying your bills. Must show that person’s name, address, phone number, and signature.
Residence: (proof you live in Texas) – Utility bill, DL, ID, rent receipt, letter from landlord (can’t be relative.)
Medicaid and other state benefits
Proof of income from your job – One pay stub or paycheck from the last 60 days, a statement from your employer, or self-employment records.
Medical costs – Bills or statements from healthcare providers (Doctors, drug stores, etc) from the past 3 months. We only need these items if you haven’t already paid for these services.
Citizenship – U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, U.S. birth certificate (copies of front and back), hospital record of birth, or Medicare card. If you were born in Texas, they might be able to look it up.
What are the qualifications for Medicaid for families raising a grandchild/ niece/ nephew/ sibling/ etc that can’t get that child on their insurance? Being a us citizen.If not (a citizen) you could qualify for CHIP. (Children’s Health Insurance Program.)
Is there any reason you wouldn’t be able to get the child(ren) on Medicaid? No. income doesn’t count, unless adopted. As a matter of fact you are encouraged to apply. If adopted through foster care: Children who have federally funded/Title IV-E adoption assistance are automatically eligible for Medicaid benefits.
What if you are just placed with the child, what is the quickest way to go about getting services? Yourtexasbenefits.com – it’s pretty quick. The recommendation is to upload everything right away. This includes: where you live, birth certificate. Usually it doesn’t require proof the child(ren) lives with you unless there is something questionable. (example: parents having the child/children on benefits)
Is there anything you can notate on the application to help you get services without difficulty? Fully complete your application. Ensure you are not leaving anything blank.
What are the most common mistakes or proof that families don’t have when applying that result in denials? Not completing the application completely and leaving blank spots in the application.
If families need medication while waiting approval – how do they go about getting that? Is there a voucher? There’s nothing that is free at this time, please try asking doctors for samples or trying to get discount cards. (Example: GoodRx.com) Most physicians will help while you are in the waiting period.
Documentation needed for Family and child: Income requirements and proof of guardianship.
How to apply: online or in person
Can you apply to have previous or past medical bills covered? Yes, for up to 3 months prior to application.
The application will be back-dated and cover all medical bills up the first of the month of application. ie: If you apply today and you have to go to the Doctor tomorrow – They will go back and cover that expense once approved.
Note that Medicaid for 65 and older and disabled individuals can provide meals.
If you have adopted your kinship children or want to apply for Medicaid for yourself or your biological children in your home: Follow this income guide for Medicaid and CHIP benefits. Note: If adopted through foster care: Children who have federally funded/Title IV-E adoption assistance are automatically eligible for Medicaid benefits.
Income Guidelines for Children’s Medicaid Your income is the money you get paid before taxes are taken out. Find your family size on the table below. If your monthly income is the same or less, your child might get Children’s Medicaid.
Family Members (Adults plus children)
Monthly Family Income
1*
$1,510
2
$2,034
3
$2,559
4
$3,083
5
$3,607
6
$4,132
7
$4,656
8
$5,180
For each additional person, add:
$525
*A family of one might be a child who does not live with a parent or other relative.
If your income is higher than the limits listed above, check the limits below for CHIP.
Income Guidelines for CHIP Your income is the money you get paid before taxes are taken out. Find your family size on the table below. If your monthly income is the same or less, your child might get CHIP.
Family Members (Adults plus children)
Monthly Family Income
1*
$2,277
2
$3,067
3
$3,858
4
$4,649
5
$5,439
6
$6,230
7
$7,020
For each additional person, add:
$791
*A family of one might be a child who does not live with a parent or other relative.
What if I make too much money? Children who can not be put on the caregivers insurance (regardless of income) still qualify for Medicaid or CHIP. Please note, the one time grandparent grant and child only TANF grant is based on child’s income. Still apply for the grandparents or relative grant through TANF, your children may still qualify based on the child’s income for TANF and Medicaid.
What if I get denied? Even for families who qualify based on the criteria, this happens regularly. Especially for child only TANF and the one time grandparent grant.
If you are denied they can appeal. An appeal can be filled out through the Texas Benefits website/APP online, over the phone, or by going to the office nearest you to speak to a staff member directly.
Depending on the amount of money a grandparent gets (income) and the value of the things they own (resources or assets), the grandparent might be able to get a one‐time TANF payment for grandparents, plus either:
Monthly TANF payments for the grandchild only, or
Monthly TANF payments for both the grandparent and grandchild.
Grandparents don’t need to have custody or guardianship of the child to apply for these benefits. However, they must be related to the child and be caring for the child in their home.
TANF payments for the grandchild only: Grandparents might be able to get TANF payments for their grandchild without a review of the grandparents’ income and resources. Income the child gets from sources such as child support and survivors’ benefits will be reviewed.
Who is it for? Grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters and brothers (this includes great-grandparents, great-aunts and great-uncles) who:
Care for a child who gets TANF.
Are 25 or older.
Do not have a lot of money or have a way to get more money.
Maximum monthly income limits: The following chart gives a general idea of the amount of money (income) a relative can get and still get the payment. Relatives might be able to get the payment even if their income is higher than what is listed in this chart.
If a relative isn’t able to get the One-Time TANF for Relatives payment, the child they care for still might be able to get monthly TANF.
Family size
Monthly income limit
1
$2,265
2
$3,052
3
$3,839
4
$4,625
5
$5,412
For each additional person, add:
$787
Required documentation for TANF
Proof of income from your job – One pay stub or paycheck from the last 60 days, a statement from your employer, or self-employment records. * ONLY REQUIRED IF APPLYING FOR FAMILY *
Bank Accounts – Most current statement from all accounts. * ONLY REQUIRED IF APPLYING FOR FAMILY *
Proof child is related to you – Legal birth, hospital, or baptismal certificate.
Citizenship – U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, U.S. birth certificate (copies of front and back), hospital record of birth, or Medicare card. If you were born in Texas, they might be able to look it up.
Child’s Vaccines – Vaccine records for each child.
Proof child lives with you – A signed statement from your landlord or non-relative neighbor that includes his or her name, address, and phone number.
Child support anyone pays – Court papers that show what you must pay for child support. For example: divorce decree, court order, or district clerk record.
Child support anyone gets – District clerk record. Or letter from the parent who pays showing how much, how often, and the date it is usually paid. The letter must have the name, address, phone number, and signature of the parent who pays.
Health Insurance – Copy of the front and back of the insurance card or policy.
SNAP food benefits required documentation
Proof of income from your job – Last 3 paystubs or paychecks, a statement from your employer, or self-employment records.
Bank accounts – Most current statement for all accounts.
Medical costs – Bills or statements from healthcare providers (Doctors, drug stores, etc) from the past 3 months. We only need these items if you haven’t already paid for these services.
Rent or mortgage costs – Recent checks, check stub, or statement from the mortgage bank or landlord. Renters also need to give the landlord’s name, address, and phone number.
Dependent care expenses – Receipts, canceled checks, or a signed statement from the person you pay. A signed statement must show when and how much you pay.
Child support anyone pays – Court papers that show what you must pay for child support. For example: divorce decree, court order, or district clerk record.
Child support anyone gets – District clerk record. Or letter from the parent who pays showing how much, how often, and the date it is usually paid. The letter must have the name, address, phone number, and signature of the parent who pays.
Maximum Monthly Income Limits
The following chart gives a general idea of the amount of money (income) that most people or families can earn and still be in this program.
Family size
Maximum monthly income
1
$ 1,775
2
$ 2,396
3
$ 3,020
4
$ 3,644
5
$ 4,268
For each additional person, add:
$ 625
Other services in your area You can find other services in your area by calling 2‐1‐1 or 1‐877‐541‐7905 (after you pick a language, press 1). You also can search for services by going to 211Texas.org. Services might include:
Food pantries
Senior services
After‐school programs
Tax help
Housing
Child care
Help paying your rent or utilities
Help paying for drugs ordered by your doctor
General questions about benefits?
You can go online to YourTexasBenefits.com. If you create an account at yourtexasbenefits.com, you can view your benefits online
You can call 2‐1‐1 or 1‐877‐541‐7905 (after you pick a language, press 2). You can call 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday Central Time.
Get Immediate Help
Call 817.335.HOPE (4673)
OR
1.888.296.8099
Answered 24 hours a day
Not an emergency services phone number. Call 911 for medical emergencies.
