Children in Texas can get low-cost or free health coverage through Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or Children’s Medicaid. CHIP is a health care program for children without insurance whose families earn too much to receive Children’s Medicaid but cannot afford health care. Children’s Medicaid is a program for low-income families.
To get approved for either program, a child must be 18 years-old or younger. In some cases, children with disabilities aged 19 and 20 can get Medicaid. They also must be a Texas resident and a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen regardless of the guardian’s citizenship status.
Services Covered by Medicaid and CHIP
- Regular checkups at the doctor and dentist.
- Medicine and vaccines.
- Hospital care and services.
- X-rays and lab tests.
- Vision and hearing care.
- Access to medical specialists and mental health care.
- Treatment of special health needs and pre-existing conditions.
Who can apply?
- Any adult who lives more than half the time with an uninsured child (parents, stepparents, grandparents, relatives, legal guardians, or adult siblings.
- Anyone 18 or younger who lives on their own.
- A pregnant woman of any age.
Use the chart to find out if your children may be able to get CHIP or Medicaid. Find your family size on the left side of this chart. Follow that row to the right. Is your family’s monthly income less than the amount shown on the right side? If so, your children may be able to get Medicaid or CHIP. Children of families that earn higher incomes may still be able to get health coverage in some cases.
| FAMILY SIZE | CHILDREN’S MEDICAID | CHIP |
| 1 | $1,510 | $2,277 |
| 2 | $2,034 | $3,067 |
| 3 | $2,559 | $3,858 |
| 4 | $3,083 | $4,649 |
| 5 | $3,607 | $5,439 |
| 6 | $4,132 | $6,230 |
| 7 | $4,656 | $7,020 |
| 8 | $5,180 | $7,811 |
*Income is money you get paid before taxes are taken out.
*A family of one might be a child who does not live with a parent.
To get started, contact us at 713-652-0077 ext. 8103 or email us at healthcareforkids@lonestarlegal.org. Let the person know that you would like to talk to our team regarding children’s health coverage. One of our paralegals specializing in Children’s Medicaid and CHIP will talk to you to determine your eligibility for the programs. If you are eligible, we will handle the enrollment and processing on your behalf.
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Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income and underserved populations. Lone Star Legal Aid serves 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 with disabilities, or who are elderly, homeless, or have limited English language skills. Lone Star Legal Aid does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at https://www.lonestarlegal.org.
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