You can apply for CHIP online, over the phone, by mail or fax.
Texas offers a Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), a form of insurance for children of families who earn too much gross income to qualify for Medicaid health insurance benefits but cannot afford private health insurance. CHIP provides children with health care benefits such as regular checkups with a pediatrician and dental services. Any adult who cares for an uninsured child can apply for CHIP.
Instructions
1. Obtain a CHIP application online by visiting ChipMedicaid.org and selecting "apply" from the main menu. Alternatively, obtain an application from your child's school, pediatrician or a local pharmacist.
2. Complete the application by filling out your name, Social Security number, address and phone number in Section 1. Answer questions about your household in Section 2 and the uninsured children whom you're applying on behalf of in Section 3. Complete Section 4 if applicable and answer the yes or no questions in Section 5. List the name of each child's parents in Section 6, the household income in Section 7 and detail childcare expenses in Section 8. List assets, such as automobiles, in Section 9 and complete Section 10 if necessary. Finally, affirm you are an authorized representative by signing Section 11 and completing the application by signing Section 14.
3. Gather appropriate paperwork for proof of income, such as paycheck stubs for the last 60 days or your most recent IRS tax return, proof of expenses, such as childcare receipts or child support payment receipts, and any other documents requested in Section 13 of the CHIP application. Make copies of the documentation as necessary. To be eligible, the child must be 18 years of age or younger and a resident of Texas. Citizenship status of the parent or person applying on behalf of the child does not matter. Any adult who cares for an uninsured child can apply for CHIP. Whether or not a child is eligible is based on household income and is determined on a case-by-case basis, factoring in all financials.
4. Submit the CHIP application and supplemental paperwork by fax or U.S. mail.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
P.O. Box 14200
Midland, TX 79711-4200
877-542-5951
chipmedicaid.org
