How to Qualify for Washington Medicaid Benefits

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services operates the state's Medicaid program. Low-income individuals, including children, pregnant women, the disabled and elderly are eligible for Medicaid, as long as other qualifications are met.

Instructions

• 1

  Gather the necessary documents and information for completing the Medicaid application. You will need a state-, military- or federally issued identification card, Social Security card, birth certificate, documentation of income and resources and if you are applying on the basis of disability, you will need the names, addresses and phone numbers for all of the medical providers you have seen in the past 12 months.

• 2

  Complete an application by either going in-person to your local Community Service Office, contacting your local CSO office and requesting an application be mailed to you, or using the online application on the Department of Social and Health Services website (see Resources).

• 3

  Attend an interview with a Medicaid caseworker. You will receive notice of an interview time via mail after you submit your application. This interview may either be conducted via phone or in-person. You should gather proof of income, bank statements for the last 2 months, copies of out-of-pocket medical expenses, car titles, house deed and an apartment lease to submit after this interview. If other documents are required, you will be provided with a list after your interview and will be required to submit these items within one to two weeks.

• 4

  Inquire about the income resource limit for the type of Medicaid for which you are applying. The income and resource limits vary depending on the type of Medicaid and family size. Typically, your resources must value $1,500 or less to qualify for Medicaid if you are single. Life insurance policies with a cash value, cash on hand, checking and savings accounts, stocks, bonds, IRAs, revocable trusts, vehicles, land and houses are counted toward your resources. However, your home, if it is your primary residence, and your first vehicle are not counted toward the resource limit. You must contact your local or state Medicaid office to inquire about the specific income limit given your situation and type of Medicaid, since these limits vary significantly depending on the source of income, whether you are working, family size and other factors.

• 5

  Dispose of your resources until you are under the resource limit if you do not qualify because of exceeding this limit. You must dispose of all resources for fair value, and you must provide receipts showing how you spent the cash you obtained from the sale of the resources.

• 6

  File an appeal letter if you are denied Medicaid after your initial application and gather supporting documents to show your case. You should file this appeal letter within 10 days of the date marked on the denial letter. If you applied on the basis of disability and are denied due to insufficient evidence of disability, you will need to gather medical records, letters from individuals familiar with your disability and how it limits your employment and other documentation that proves your disability.