Applying for benefits
  • How to apply
  • Getting help
  • Interviews
  • Providing information
    • What additional items will I need to give when I apply?
      When you apply or renew we will give you a list of documents we need. We might ask for information to confirm:
      • Who you are (identity)
      • Money you get (income)
      • Costs you pay (expenses)
      • Things you pay for or own (assets)
      Uploading files with your application may help us make a faster decision.

      If you cannot provide proof of information when you submit your application, we will try to verify information using online sources. If we can't find what we need, we will send you a letter that tells you what you need to send us.

      Read 'Sending Files' to see how to send us items we need.

      If you already have a case, you can use the Your Texas Benefits mobile app. Download it in the Google Play or iTunes App Store.
    • Who do I need to add to my application for health care benefits?
      You need to add people who want to apply for benefits.

      You also need to add the following people, even if they are not applying for benefits:
      • The spouse of anyone applying for benefits (even if the spouse is not living with you)
      • Parents and stepparents of children applying for benefits
      • A person age 19 or younger who lives in the home and is being cared for by someone applying for benefits
      When you apply online, you will be asked to tell us about these people in the section titled, 'People applying for benefits'.
    • Why do I have to answer more questions when applying for healthcare benefits?
      Federal law (including the Affordable Care Act) requires us to ask more questions about the following people applying for healthcare benefits:
      • Children
      • Pregnant women
      • Adults who are taking care of a child in their home
      • Adults who aren't taking care of a child in their home, such as those who:
        • Were in foster care at age 18 or older
        • Were in the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program at age 18 or older
        • Are a refugee
    • What if giving information for benefits could cause physical or emotional harm to me or my child?
      If you're applying for or renewing Medicaid or CHIP benefits, you might be eligible for what's called the 'Family Violence Exemption'.

      This means that if we ask for information about a person and you are afraid to give it because it could cause harm (physical or emotional) to you or your child, you might not need to give us information about that person.

      If you have any questions about your safety or a child's safety, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline any time toll-free at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

      Learn more about family violence programs.
    • What happens if I request a Family Violence Exemption?
      If you're an adult and you tell us you're afraid of being hurt or have been hurt, we won't tell anyone about this without your approval.

      If you're a child or you tell us someone is hurting a child, we must tell the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

      If you have any questions about your safety or a child's safety, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline any time toll-free at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

      Learn more about family violence programs.
    • How do I change info that’s wrong on an application I submitted?
      You can report changes to your application:
      • Online: Find out how to report changes online by reading 'How do I report changes online?'
      • Mobile App: Download the Your Texas Benefits mobile app in the Google Play or iTunes App Store
      • Phone: Call 2-1-1. After you pick a language, press 2. We can update your application.
      • In Person: Go to a local office to report your change.
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  • After applying
    • What is the application review process?
      The application review process has three steps:
      1. Received
      2. In review
      3. Reviewed

      Step 1: Received
      This means you sent an application or renewal to us and we’ve received it. We’ll let you know when we start our review.

      Step 2: In review
      This means we’ve started our review of your application or renewal.

      If we need more information, your status will change to say Information needed. We’ll send you Form H1020, which will tell you what you need to send us. You can use the “Upload files” button on the Your Texas Benefits website to send us the information we need. (Note: You can’t do this in the app.)

      Step 3: Reviewed
      This means we finished our review of your application or renewal. You can find out if your benefits were approved or denied on the web or in the app. We’ll also send you a letter informing you of our decision.
    • How do I know if I get benefits?
      After we review your application to see who can get benefits, we’ll also send you a letter to tell you who was approved or not approved for benefits.

      If you have a Your Texas Benefits account, you can also check the status of your case online:
      1. Log in to your account.
      2. Click Manage.
      3. Click on Details next to the case you want to see.
      If the words 'Approved' or 'Sustained' are in the status column, your benefits have been approved.

      If your case says 'Pending: you need to enroll', then you are approved for CHIP or CHIP Perinatal. To enroll:
      1. Click Manage
      2. Click the Medicaid & CHIP Services quick link.
      3. Scroll down to CHIP and click the Enroll button. This step will take you to another site that tells you how to complete your enrollment in CHIP or CHIP Perinatal.
      If your case says 'Denied' or 'Terminated', you were not approved for benefits.
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