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Families and Children Manual Policy Manual Number: 005.020 Section: Non-Financial Eligibility Requirements Chapter: Enumeration

June 4, 2015 Division of TennCare 2 If an applicant does not have an SSN or the SSN is questionable, the agency will provide the individual with information about how to obtain an SSN through the SSA. 3. Children Less than 1 Year of Age A newborn can be added to their mother’s case without waiting for the enumeration process to conclude. In most situations, the enumeration process (completion of SS-5 application, which is the application for a Social Security card) now occurs for newborns at the hospital. Newborns must be enumerated by age one, or before they can be approved in another TennCare Medicaid or CoverKids category, whichever occurs first. 4. Refusal to Obtain as SSN If an applicant fails or refuses to provide an SSN, then that individual is not eligible to receive benefits, unless he or she meets an exception or is a legal alien who is not eligible for an SSN. a. Exceptions

i. Religious Objection An applicant may refuse to obtain an SSN because of a well-established religious objection. A well-established religious objection means that the applicant: • Is a member of a recognized religious sect or division of that sect; and • Adheres to the teachings of the sect or division of that sect and for that reason is opposed to applying for or using an SSN. HCFA will provide a Medicaid identification number to an applicant who refuses to obtain an SSN due to a well-established religious objection. The Medicaid identification number will not be able to be used for eligibility verification purposes. 5. Enumeration of Legal Immigrants The Affordable Care Act amended the enumeration requirement for individuals who are not eligible for a regular SSN. Legal immigrants who are ineligible for a work-related or regular SSN are not required to obtain a non-work SSN for the purpose of TennCare Medicaid or CoverKids eligibility. The SSA will continue to issue SSNs for people who do have work authorization when an SSN is required to obtain other program benefits. However, a non-work SSN cannot be used to obtain data from other programs or agencies to verify eligibility for TennCare Medicaid or CoverKids. Legal immigrants who are not eligible for a regular SSN must still meet the citizenship and immigration requirements, as well as all other conditions of eligibility, in order to receive TennCare Medicaid or CoverKids benefits.