Who qualifies?

To qualify for 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 citizenship or immigration status of the parents does not affect the children's eligibility and is not reported on the application form.

Who can apply?

Any adult who lives with an uninsured child and provides care for 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 an employee of the State of Texas, you may qualify for an insurance supplement for your dependent children under age 19.

Income Guidelines

Fill in the form below to get an idea if your children might qualify for Children's Medicaid or CHIP.

90-Day Waiting Period

Children enrolling in CHIP for the first time after being covered by private health insurance will have a 90-day waiting period before the benefits can be used.

There are some exceptions to this rule:

  • Children who lost insurance coverage because:
    • Their parent's employment was terminated due to a layoff, reduction-in-force, or the closure of a business.
    • Their insurance benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) were terminated.
    • The marital status of a child's parent changed.
    • Their parent's employer terminated dependent coverage.
  • Children who no longer are covered by insurance provided by the Texas Employees Retirement System (ERS) or CHIP in another state.
  • Children whose previous health insurance coverage cost more than 10 percent of the family's gross income.
  • Children who have been decertified from the Medicaid Program and determined eligible for CHIP by Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
  • Children who have been added to currently enrolled accounts, including newborns.