Who qualifies?

To get CHIP or Children's Medicaid, a child must be age 18 or younger, a Texas resident and a U.S citizen or legal permanent resident. The parent's citizenship or immigration status is not a factor in deciding if a child gets Medicaid, and it is not reported on the application form.

Who can apply?

Any adult who lives with an uninsured child and takes care of that child can apply. This includes parents, step-parents, grandparents, other relatives, legal guardians or adult brothers or sisters.

For Children of State Employees – SKIP Program

If you are a Texas state employee, you may be able to get help paying for insurance for your dependent children under age 19.

Income Guidelines

Fill in the form below to see if your children might be able to get Children's Medicaid or CHIP.

Need help to find affordable health insurance? Visit TexasHealthOptions.com, a service from the Texas Department of Insurance.

Number of family members living in your home:
Your family's monthly income:

90-Day Waiting Period

Children joining CHIP for the first time after having private health insurance will have to wait 90-days before benefits start.

There are some exceptions to this rule:

  • Children who lost insurance coverage because:
    • Their parent's employment ended because of a layoff, reduction-in-force, or the closure of a business.
    • Their COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) insurance ended.
    • The marital status of a child's parent changed.
    • Their parent's employer ended the dependent insurance.
  • Children who no longer have insurance through the Texas Employees Retirement System (ERS) or through CHIP in another state.
  • Children whose current health insurance coverage costs more than 10 percent of the family's gross income.
  • Children who no longer can get Medicaid benefits but can get benefits from CHIP.
  • Children, including newborns, who have been added to current CHIP or Children's Medicaid accounts.
  • Children whose parents renew the CHIP or Children's Medicaid benefits within a month after their 12th month of coverage.