How to Apply for Medicaid Online in Houston

Texas' Medicaid program provides health care coverage at little or no cost to qualified low-income children, families, pregnant women, women with breast or cervical cancer and disabled and elderly adults. If you live in Houston and wish to apply for benefits, you may apply by phone, mail, fax, in person or by using Your Texas Benefits, Texas' secure online benefits website. The process of applying for Medicaid using Your Texas Benefits is the same in Houston as it is elsewhere Texas. The only difference is that you will be corresponding with your local Health and Human Services Commission office in Houston about your application and eligibility for Medicaid.

Instructions

• 1

  Navigate to Your Texas Benefits, HHSC's online benefits website.

• 2

  Create an account. Click on "Login or Register" located on the left-hand side navigation bar. You will be directed to a log-in page; click on the link that says "If you do not have a Self-Service Portal account, click here to register."

• 3

  Log onto your account by clicking on "Login or Register" once again and entering your user name and PIN that you've just created.

• 4

  Click on "Apply for Benefits" located on the left navigation bar. You'll be prompted to answer a series of questions about your household situation, income, resources and expenses. Submit your application once you finish answering all the questions.

• 5

  Navigate to the online office locator to find your local Houston office. Enter "Houston" as the city and select "Medicaid for families and children" under the "Programs Served" pull-down menu. The website will generate the phone numbers and addresses of each of the 10 Houston offices.

• 6

  Submit the required verification documents to your local HHSC office. To determine your eligibility for Medicaid, HHSC needs to see certain documents that verify the information you put down on your Medicaid application. Examples of verification documents include birth certificates, utility bills and pay stubs. HHSC will tell you which documents are needed and when you must submit them by.

• 7

  Wait for a decision from HHSC about your eligibility for benefits.

• 8

  Request a fair hearing if you don't agree with HHSC's decision. To appeal the decision, call 2-1-1 or contact HHSC by mail at: P.O. Box 14600, Midland, TX 79711-4600. Or, fax your request to 877-447-2839.