Eligibility Requirements for the Chip Program for Children in Idaho

CHIP, the Children's Health Insurance Program, helps uninsured families which meet certain eligibility requirements afford medical care. The program was created in 1997 for families which have incomes that are too high for Medicaid but too low to afford private health insurance. States receive matching funds from the federal government and are allowed to design most of their own CHIP program rules and eligibility standards. In Idaho, CHIP is administered by the state Department of Health and Welfare.

Residency

• In order to be eligible, a family must, of course, be residents of Idaho. An applicant's permanent address can be proved with a state driver's licenses or official identification, rental agreement or utility bills. There is no minimum length of time a family must have lived in the state before it can apply for CHIP.

Citizenship

• All Idaho CHIP applicants must be citizens or legal immigrants to the United States. Proof of both citizenship and identity are part of the application procedure. A family can document their citizenship with U.S. passports, certificates of U.S. citizenship, certificates of naturalization, birth certificates or military records showing place of birth. Identity can be proved with federal identity cards, state identity cards or current state driver's licenses.

Income

• Families eligible for Idaho CHIP cannot exceed a certain monthly income limit for their sizes. The monthly income limit is based on the current federal poverty guidelines. As of 2009, a family cannot have a monthly income in excess of 185 percent of the federal poverty level and still qualify for CHIP in Idaho. For a family with one child, this breaks down to a maximum monthly income of $1,679. A family of two cannot exceed $2,268 and a family of three cannot make more than $2,857.

Age

• The Children's Health Insurance Program in Idaho is only for children. All children must be minors aged 18 or younger. Once a child reaches 19, he is no longer eligible for benefits through CHIP.

Application

• Families wanting CHIP coverage must complete and submit an official application. They can call the Idaho Care Line to request an application or call the closest Department of Health and Welfare location. Applications can also be picked up in person at DHW offices. Applications are available in both English and Spanish. Applications can be returned in person, by mail or by fax. Applicants may receive additional contact from the DHW requesting more information or documentation. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare will then send out a letter within 45 days explaining whether or not the family qualifies for CHIP coverage.