Medicaid & Florida Qualification Requirements

General requirements for all Florida Medicaid programs are that the applicant be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen and a resident of the state, have or be eligible to receive a Social Security Number, inform that state of any insurance that he currently has and apply for any other benefits that he may be eligible to receive. Aside from the programs listed here, there are also programs for non-U.S. citizens who need emergency care and those 65 over or the disabled who are not receiving Social Security income.

Children

• Children up to the age of 18 may be able to receive Medicaid assistance if they or their families meet the following income criteria. Children under the age of one should have or come from a family that has an income of less than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Children between the ages of one and five should have or come from a family that has an income of less than 133 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Children between the ages of six and 18 should have or come from a family that has an income of less than 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Assets are not counted, and only the child's income is counted if the child lives with an adult other than the child's parents. Families and caretakers must also cooperate with Child Support Enforcement if applicable.

Families

• Parents and children under the age of 18 may be able to receive Medicaid assistance if they meet one of the following income guidelines. The first is that they receive Temporary Cash Assistance or are eligible to receive TCA, even if they choose not to. Anyone eligible for this program is also eligible to receive Medicaid. The second is that they meet family income guidelines set forth by the state. As of July 2010, these guidelines began at $180 for a family of one and $610 for a family of eight. Families of more than eight can have up to $62 of extra income per additional person and still qualify. Additionally, the family must not have assets totaling over $2,000. Families must also cooperate with Child Support Enforcement if applicable.

Pregnant Women

• Pregnant women may be able to receive Medicaid assistance if they have a household income of no more than 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Income from everyone in the family is considered, including the pregnant woman, the father if he resides in the home, the unborn child and any siblings that live in the home. If a pregnant woman under the age of 21 lives with her parents, their income may be counted as well. Pregnant women must provide proof of pregnancy, and may be able to receive care while their Medicaid application is processing through Presumptive Medicaid Eligibility for Pregnant Women.