health insurance for Canadian children

[smurfette71 0]

Hello

can anyone tell me in the State of Texas what benefits you can apply for I was working for the state where I had health insurance recently changed jobs and no longer have insurance Husband is usa citizen we have conditional green card which is expire august 22, 2012. I am wanting to know can we apply for medicaid or CHIP here for the children only or not as we all were sponsored by husband to USA, does anyone know the rule on this???? I know that it will depend on our income as well.

Thank you, all comments and any suggestions for benefits that we can apply for would be greatly appreciated

[Colleens 40]

Hello

can anyone tell me in the State of Texas what benefits you can apply for I was working for the state where I had health insurance recently changed jobs and no longer have insurance Husband is usa citizen we have conditional green card which is expire august 22, 2012. I am wanting to know can we apply for medicaid or CHIP here for the children only or not as we all were sponsored by husband to USA, does anyone know the rule on this???? I know that it will depend on our income as well.

Thank you, all comments and any suggestions for benefits that we can apply for would be greatly appreciated

Are the children your husbands or is he the step father? If the children are his biological children he would be able to apply for state medicaid for the kids. If not then you will have to look into some private medical insurance. We recently were having some financial issues with my husband being laid off and we applied for state medicaid for our daughter. We were denied as we made just a few dollars over the income threshold. We did recieve something in the mail for speciality childrens medical insurance, but I no longer have the letter and I can't remember what it was called. Maybe your local health unit can point you in the direction.

[sheeshkabelle 153]

You can apply for CHIP if you are not eligible for medicaid. Getting food stamps/Medicaid/CHIP etc is not considered 'welfare'. Getting any cash assistance (TANF, SSI, or HUD is cash assistance) Whether they are your biological children or step children makes no difference. It does not impact your LPR status or when/if you apply for citizenship.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Getting food stamps/Medicaid/CHIP etc is not considered 'welfare'. Getting any cash assistance (TANF, SSI, or HUD is cash assistance) Whether they are your biological children or step children makes no difference. It does not impact your LPR status or when/if you apply for citizenship.

Actually Food Stamps is considered a "Means tested Benefit" and LPRs are not eligible for 5 years.

@OP, you should contact the specific programs as requirements and restrictions can vary from State to State depending on how the programs are funded. They will know if there are limitations regarding LPRs.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Actually Food Stamps is considered a "Means tested Benefit" and LPRs are not eligible for 5 years.

@OP, you should contact the specific programs as requirements and restrictions can vary from State to State depending on how the programs are funded. They will know if there are limitations regarding LPRs.

Right - LPRs cannot use means tested benefits and you want to be careful of that and not go against the agreement the sponsor (your husband)promised he would honour. I don't really know what the ramifications/punishment are if an LPR applies for and uses one of these benefits .

[smurfette71 0]

thank you all so much

We just want to apply for medicaid or chip

it says a family of 4 income 44,000 and under qualifies

how do i find out if applying for this will hurt us

the children are (usc) my husband's step children.

we dont need any cash help or food stamps just want some insurance atleast for the kids. as my new job does not have insurance and husband is self employed

any thoughts???

Thank you

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

If everyone applying for the benefits are US Citizens then it won't impact the immigration stuff in any way.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

thank you all so much

We just want to apply for medicaid or chip

it says a family of 4 income 44,000 and under qualifies

how do i find out if applying for this will hurt us

the children are (usc) my husband's step children.

we dont need any cash help or food stamps just want some insurance atleast for the kids. as my new job does not have insurance and husband is self employed

any thoughts???

Thank you

A little confusing since you initially said 'as we all were sponsored by husband to USA' which implies you're all GC holders and now you've indicated the children are USC?

[sheeshkabelle 153]

I think she means her husband is the USC and they are his step children. So they themselves are GC holders.

A worker at the department of human services can help you. They know the rules and what all is involved. It doesn't hurt to call and make an appointment to see someone.

Other wise you might be stuck getting private health insurance, or find a local charity that has a free/low cost health center, or check on the kids getting medical care at the county health department. Again, the person at health and human services can help you.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I think she means her husband is the USC and they are his step children. So they themselves are GC holders.

A worker at the department of human services can help you. They know the rules and what all is involved. It doesn't hurt to call and make an appointment to see someone.

Other wise you might be stuck getting private health insurance, or find a local charity that has a free/low cost health center, or check on the kids getting medical care at the county health department. Again, the person at health and human services can help you.

LPRs should not be applying for any means tested benefits such as public assistance, food stamps (nd possibly medicaid etc...)She needs to be very careful not to violate the support agreement her husband(The USC) signed during the VISA process.

[sheeshkabelle 153]

I didn't say apply, I said make an appointment. The workers there can help her find some kind of medical coverage for her children that won't violate the laws.

OP, since you lost your job you and your family would have been eligible for COBRA coverage, it's more expensive since your former employer isn't paying part of the premiums, but everyone would still have insurance.

[smurfette71 0]

well i called the medicaid,chip office and they said it ok to apply,

so My husband who is USC applied,

now I am scared cause now what if he gets in trouble

you really cant trust anyone at the office some really dont know the rules, should i just revoke the application? I dont want him to get in trouble, The lady said as long as we didnt exceed the income for 4 which is 44,000 then we fine we just cant apply for any welfare, and stupid me never took her ID so if any questions come up I dont know her name.

anyone know a link I can look up under USA IMMIGRATION rules??

please help any info or suggestions kindly appreciated

[sheeshkabelle 153]

Summary of Immigrant Eligibility Restrictions Under Current Law As of 2/25/2009

You did not apply for Medicaid you applied for state run CHIP. I have bold typed your exception to the rule.

D. “Federal Means-Tested Public Benefits” — TANF, Medicaid, and CHIP

Five year ban for Qualified Aliens who entered the country on or after 8/22/96

Most “qualified aliens” entering the country on or after enactment are banned from receiving “Federal means-tested public benefits” for a period of 5 years beginning on the date of the alien’s entry with a qualified alien status (Sec 403) (see exceptions below). The HHS interpretation, published in the Federal Register on August 26, 1997 (62 FR 45256), designated TANF and Medicaid (except assistance for an emergency medical condition under Medicaid) as the Federal means-tested public benefits administered by the Department. Subsequently, HHS has communicated that the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is also a “Federal means-tested public benefit.” The Social Security Administration has stated that Supplemental Security Income is a “Federal means-tested public benefit.” The Department of Agriculture has also stated that SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) are also means-tested. No other program has been determined to be a “Federal means-tested public benefit” program.

Exceptions to the 5-year ban on “Federal Means-Tested Public Benefits”:

States have the option to provide Medicaid and CHIP assistance to children and pregnant women who are lawfully residing in the United States without a 5-year delay, and no debt accrues to a sponsor under an affidavit of support on the basis of receipt of such assistance, and the cost of such assistance is not considered an unreimbursed cost. (Sec. 214, P.L. 111-3, Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009)

Refugees, Asylees, aliens whose deportation is being withheld, Amerasians, and Cuban/Haitian entrants and victims of a severe form of trafficking.. (Sec 403(b)(1))

Veterans, members of the military on active duty, and their spouses and unmarried dependent children. (Sec 403(b)(2))

Certain Indians, Hmong, and Highland Laotians are eligible for SNAP. (Sec 403(d))

[smurfette71 0]

im calling to revoke applications I hope we dont get in trouble now due to misinformed info,

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

im calling to revoke applications I hope we dont get in trouble now due to misinformed info,

Why, unless I misunderstand the above post CHIP is excluded from the Means Tested Benefits restriction...