How to Access the S CHIP Program

Health insurance is a very costly thing for many families, and can make up a large portion of the budget for a lower-income family, especially if there are many children that need coverage. The federal government has teamed up with many state governments to implement the State Children's Health Insurance Program (or SCHIP) to provide youngsters under the age of 18 with access to the health care that they need while growing up. These programs vary from state to state and are designed to help families that do not have the funds to pay for insurance or do not have access to health insurance.

Things You'll Need

• Proof of income
• Phone or Internet access

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Instructions

• 1

  Determine if your family falls into the income bracket that will make you eligible for coverage. While the rules vary from state to state, most states require that your children be under the age of 18 to receive benefits. Some states will allow coverage to continue as long as the child is a student. You must also make a net income of less that $44,000 (as of 2010) to gain access in most states. This number includes your entire pre-tax income for your household, including you and you spouse.

• 2

  Contact your local SCHIP office to gain more exact information regarding the eligibility of your family. You can do this by visiting the Insure Kids Now website (see Resources) and clicking on your state on the interactive map or by calling 1-877-KIDS NOW (1-877-543-7669). If you meet the qualifications that are listed for your state on the program's website, call an agent to start the application process. By calling the 1-800 number, you will be directed to an agent who will ask you specific information to ensure you qualify for the program before they send an application. Make sure you have information such as employer information and tax information ready before you make the call.

• 3

  Complete the application for your state. Once the agent has identified that you can access the SCHIP program, fill out a hard copy of the application form. This will be mailed to your home address by the agent. Fill the form out as accurately as possible to avoid problems with the acceptance process. Fill in every line on the form to the best of your ability and include any requested documents with the application when you return it to the office in your state that processes applications. You can return the application through mail or in person.