Connecting Texas Kids to Coverage Blog Series PART II: Services LSLA Offers During Benefits Application or Renewal

In the previous blog on Connecting Texas Kids to Coverage (CTKC), we informed you on what health insurance benefits are available for children and how having these benefits are vital to a child’s health. Texas Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are two programs our CTKC unit at Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) can help your child obtain. Our staff will guide you throughout the entire legal process. Your child can receive or renew their benefits with the help of our paralegals and attorneys who will act as a representative on your behalf. Let’s dive into how LSLA can help your family.

What we can do

• We will assist each applicant to complete an application and submit the application on their behalf.
• We will act as an authorized representative for the applicant, when possible, which will allow us to more easily track application and enrollment progress.
• We will work with the client to submit any needed supplemental documents and meet any verification requirements. Once a client is enrolled, we will advise the client on maintaining enrollment and using their coverage.
• We will monitor term-end dates and upcoming recertification processes and communicate with the client to ensure continued coverage until recertification is complete.

Qualifications and eligibility

Before you speak with our team, make sure your child meets these requirements for LSLA service eligibility.

• Children 18 years old or younger; or
• Children up to age 19 can qualify for Medicaid in some cases;
• A Texas resident;
• A U.S. citizen; and
• Income is at or below 200% of federal poverty levels

Most common misconception

Oftentimes, parents or legal guardians are worried their immigration status will affect their child’s eligibility for benefits and are concerned they will be deported if they apply their children for benefits. This is FALSE. Only the child must be a U.S. citizen and a permanent resident in Texas to be considered for Children’s Medicaid or CHIP benefits. Parents or legal guardians are not asked about their immigration status. Texas Medicaid and CHIP are not affiliated with immigration organizations. They only work directly with organizations that handle work history verification. 

Who we help

• Families with low-income at or below 200% of federal poverty levels;
• Non-English speakers;   
• Vulnerable youth;
• Homeless youth; or
• Youth aging out of foster care.

How to get started

For individual assistance, contact us at 713-652-0077 ext. 8103. Let us know that you would like to talk to our team regarding Children’s Medicaid for your kids. One of our paralegals specializing in Children’s Medicaid & CHIP will talk to you to determine your eligibility for the programs.

If you would like to learn more about Texas Children’s Medicaid and CHIP programs, please visit our previous blog here.

Want to become a partner with LSLA?

If you are interested in collaborating, joining forces for outreach events, or doing on-site enrollment, please contact LSLA Project Coordinator, Christian Pineda at

713-652-0077 ext. 1037 or CPineda@lonestarlegal.org

Throughout January 2021, LSLA will be posting a series of blogs on how civil legal aid can help a loved one or a child you know in need of health insurance benefits. In the series, you will find out about issues the Connecting Texas Kids to Coverage unit at LSLA can help with, the process of applying for benefits, current legislation affecting benefits available to children, and the answers to all your frequently asked questions.

If you or a loved one are a victim of fraud and need assistance, you can apply for free legal services by calling 1-800-733-8394 or by visiting our website at www.lonestarlegal.org.  For more resources, visit the Texas Crime Victim Legal Assistance Network.

Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy on behalf of low-income and underserved populations. Lone Star Legal Aid serves the millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines that reside in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties of southwest Arkansas. Lone Star Legal Aid focuses its resources on maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability; preserving housing; improving outcomes for children; establishing and sustaining family safety and stability, health and well‐being; and assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, like those who have disabilities, or who are elderly, homeless, or have limited English language skills. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at www.lonestarlegal.org.

Media contact: media@lonestarlegal.org