Revision 23-3; Effective July 1, 2023

Applications must be signed under or on the same page as the penalty of perjury statement before certification.

An application is valid if it has the applicant's name, the applicant’s address, and the signature of the:

applicant; or

applicant's designated authorized representative (AR) .

An application is valid if it has the applicant's name, the applicant’s address, and the signature of:

the applicant;

another responsible household member; or

the applicant's designated AR.

An application is valid if it has the applicant's name, the applicant’s address, and the signature of any of the following people:

the adult or minor applicant;

the applicant's designated AR;

an adult applying on behalf of a minor child ; or

a person 19 or older who: is included in the applicant’s MAGI household composition; or has a tax relationship with the applicant.

Note: Applicants are not required to live at the same physical address to apply for each other. For example, a non-custodial parent may apply for Medicaid and CHIP on behalf of their child if the parent expects to claim the child as a tax dependent on their federal income tax return.

Do not require a new application when a household has an active Medicaid type program and requests to add Medicaid for another child who needs a new EDG. Add the child to the case per additions to the household policy. Exception: Do not add more children to a case where a Medicaid EDG was reinstated due to the child’s release from a juvenile facility. The household must submit an application for the other children. To identify these EDGs, view the Individual – Medicaid History page for the active child. If the Juvenile Placement History field indicates "Yes", the EDG has been reinstated.

This policy does not apply when there is no existing Children's Medicaid EDG. For example, do not add a child when the only other child is certified for Medicaid because the certified child receives SSI. A separate application is required to initiate coverage for the child being added.

Application Requests and Submissions, A-113 Filing the Application, A-122 Application Signature, A-122.1 Authorized Representatives (AR), A-170 Medical Programs, A-240 Children's Medicaid Redetermination Expectations, B-123.6 Denied EDGs, B-474.7 Additions to the Household, B-641

Revision 24-1; Effective Jan. 1, 2024

When a representative from a licensed residential child care facility applies for an independent child , accept and process the application.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

A duplicate application:

is an application filed after another application has already been filed;

does not include a request for programs different from programs requested on the initial application submitted;

does not include a request for programs different from programs currently received by the applicant; and

is not needed for a redetermination of any active program.

Example : If a household submits an application for SNAP on January 2 and later submits one or more additional applications for SNAP that are different from the one the household filed on January 2, and are not needed for a redetermination of any active program, the additional application submitted is considered a duplicate application.

If an office receives a duplicate application while staff are in the process of making an eligibility determination (an application or redetermination) based on the original application submitted, staff must:

treat the duplicate application as a report of change; and

assign the duplicate application as a change to the advisor currently processing the case.

The advisor processing the original application must:

review the duplicate application for reported changes;

document the duplicate application was reviewed for changes;

document the type of changes, if changes were reported on the duplicate application; and

use information provided by the household on both the original application and the duplicate application when determining eligibility for the household.

If an office receives a duplicate application and the applicant has already been certified for assistance based on another application previously submitted, staff must review the duplicate application to determine if the household is applying for programs other than what the household is currently receiving and if any redeterminations are due.

If the household is applying for different types of programs, the application is not a duplicate application and must be processed as a new application for assistance.

If the household is not applying for a different type of program and there are no redeterminations, office staff must:

treat the duplicate application as a report of change; and

assign the duplicate application as a change indicating "duplicate application."

Staff are not required to create a T number for TIERS cases and/or dispose of a duplicate application as "filed in error." If staff erroneously create a T number, staff must deny/dispose the T number as filed in error, in addition to other required actions listed above.

Note : If the office that receives the duplicate application does not normally process reported changes, staff may mark the application form as a duplicate application and route it to appropriate staff following local office procedures.

Advisors who process the duplicate application as a reported change must review the application to determine if any changes are indicated and take the following action. If no change is indicated on the duplicate application, the advisor must:

document receipt of the duplicate application in TIERS Case Comments;

route the duplicate application to be imaged as part of the electronic case record;

sustain the benefits for each Texas Works program the household receives; and

send an individual notice to the household that eligibility for benefits has not changed.

If a change is indicated on the duplicate application, staff must follow the procedures outlined in B-600, Changes , when processing changes reported on the duplicate application.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

An identical application is one or more exact copy of an application previously filed by an applicant.

Example : If a household faxes in an application on January 2 and later submits an exact copy of the same application, which includes the same signature and date of the application the household previously submitted, the newly submitted application is considered an identical application.

If an identical application is received, staff must write "Identical Application" on the front page of the application and route the application for imaging. The vendor will image the identical application and add it to the electronic case record. No other action is needed.

Revision 26-3; Effective July 1, 2026

Staff should encourage households to file an application the same day the household or its representative contacts the office and shows interest in assistance. This includes contacts by phone, mail, fax or in person. Staff should explain how to file an application. Application forms are also available at YourTexasBenefits.com . They can be downloaded, printed and electronically submitted.

The file date is the day HHSC receives an application form which has the applicant's name, address and appropriate signature. This is day zero in the application process. Staff use this as the file date to determine eligibility for the programs the household requests upon filing the application through the time of the interview.

For applications submitted by phone through 2-1-1, the file date is the date the applicant submits the application with the applicant's name, address and telephonic signature.

The file date is the date the applicant clicks the Submit Application button in YourTexasBenefits.com, for electronically filed applications.

Exception : The file date is the next business day for all applications received outside of business hours when HHSC is closed, including weekends and holidays.

The household must file another application form to apply for more programs after the interview is held. This is even if the case was pended and is not completed at the time of the request for a new program.

Exception : If the household requests three months prior Medicaid coverage, staff should use an existing application. The file date of the application used should correspond with the three-month prior period to determine eligibility.

Once an application is filed, staff must take the following actions:

enter the file date in the appropriate section on the application form, if received as a paper document;

screen the application for expedited service eligibility for SNAP and TP 40;

give the household Form H1800, Receipt for Application/Medicaid Report/Verification/Report of Change , on request;

register the application when required; and

schedule an interview appointment for the applicant when required as soon as possible.

Refer to special procedures in this section to determine the file date for TP 40, TP 40 Continuous Coverage and TP 45 Retroactive Coverage.

Application Requests and Submissions, A-113 Receipt of Application, A-121 Documentation Requirements, A-190 Eligibility for Three Months Prior Coverage, A-831.2

The file date is the date the advisor determines eligibility, if an application form is not used.

Continuous Medicaid Coverage, A-832

The file date is the date the advisor is notified about the child's unpaid medical bills.

TP 45 Retroactive Coverage, A-833

The file date is the date a contracted facility accepts the application. If the application is not forwarded to HHSC within three business days, the file date is the date the HHSC office receives the application.

The file date is the date a person submits an application to any HHSC office. The application must be faxed or mailed to the correct office the same day it is returned.

The date the applicant clicks the Submit Application button in YourTexasBenefits.com is the file date for electronically filed applications. The file date is the next business day for applications received outside of business hours when HHSC is closed. This includes weekends and holidays.

Revision 25-3; Effective July 1, 2025

The applicant must provide a signed application form before being certified. The signature can be captured anywhere on the same page the penalty of perjury statement is captured.

If the agency receives an application with no required signature and the application is not date-stamped, the application is considered invalid. Return the application with a letter and a pre-paid envelope explaining that the application must be signed before the agency can establish a file date.

If the agency accepts an application without a required signature and the application is date-stamped, the date the application is received is considered a valid file date. Send Form H1020, Request for Information or Action , along with the signature page requesting a signature. If the applicant fails to provide a signed application by the final due date, deny the application for failure to provide information.

If the eligibility support vendor receives an unsigned application, the application is considered invalid. Within one business day , return the application to the household with a letter and a pre-paid envelope explaining that the application must be signed before a file date can be established.

The file date is the receipt date of the application if:

the eligibility support vendor accepts an application without a signature; and

it is not identified as missing a signature before data entry or the data entry date is more than one business day after the receipt date of the application.

The missing signature is treated as missing information.

Applications submitted online through YourTexasBenefits.com by the applicant or authorized representative (AR), are considered electronically signed.

Exception : Do not consider the application electronically signed when a non-applicant or non-AR completes and submits the online application for the household. In this situation, a pre-populated application is mailed to the household requesting a written signature from the applicant.

Accept the applicant’s signature on the first or last page of Form H1010 to establish a file date if the application meets all other application receipt requirements.

Note : If the applicant only provides a signed first or last page of Form H1010, do not require another signature.

An applicant, recipient, or AR may complete and sign an application by phone.

The applicant or AR may complete and sign an application over the phone by:

providing their information over the phone to the customer care representative; and

signing the application over the phone by stating their name and agreeing to a penalty of perjury statement read by the customer care representative. This information is being recorded for verification.

The customer care representative enters and submits the information provided by the applicant or AR through YourTexasBenefits.com.

Note : HHSC staff cannot accept telephonic signatures.

Applications signed and submitted over the phone by the applicant or AR are considered signed by phone except when:

the applicant or AR declines to sign the application by phone; or

a non-applicant or non-AR completes the application by phone for the household.

Correspondence is sent based on the following actions taken by the applicant or AR:

Action Correspondence Applicant or AR signs the application by phone Form H1031, Telephonic Signatures Cover Letter, notifies the household a telephonically signed Medicaid or TANF application or renewal was submitted. Or Form H1031A, SNAP Telephonic Signatures Cover Letter, notifies the household a telephonically signed SNAP application or renewal was submitted. It gives the household an opportunity to make and return corrections to HHSC. Applicant or AR declines to sign the application by phone Form M5021A, Request for Missing Signature Cover Letter, notifies the person a signature is needed to complete the application process for TW medical programs; and The unsigned Form H1010, Texas Works Application for Assistance - Your Texas Benefits , populated with information provided over the phone. Or Form M5021C, Cover Letter for Missing Signature Letter, notifies the person a signature is needed to complete the application process for TW medical and MEPD programs; The unsigned Form H1010, which is populated with information provided over the phone; or The unsigned Form H1200, Application for Assistance - Your Texas Benefits , is populated with information provided over the phone. Applicant or AR declines to sign the renewal by phone Form H1032, Cover Letter for Unsigned Your Texas Benefits Renewal Form, which notifies the person a signature is needed to complete the renewal process; and Form H2020-YTB, Your Texas Benefits Renewal Form, the unsigned renewal populated with information provided over the phone.

Application Requests and Submissions, A-113 Authorized Representatives (AR), A-170

Accept the applicant’s signature on the first or last page of Form H1010, Texas Works Application for Assistance - Your Texas Benefits, to establish a file date if the application meets all other application receipt requirements.

Note : If the applicant only provides a signed first or last page of Form H1010, do not require another signature.

If SNAP is included in the combined application, Form H1031A, SNAP Telephonic Signatures Cover Letter, notifies the household a telephonically signed SNAP application or renewal was submitted and gives the household an opportunity to make and return corrections to HHSC.

If an applicant signs and returns only Form H1010-MR, MAGI Renewal Addendum, with no corresponding application, the application is considered invalid. Attempt to contact the applicant by phone and advise them to file an application. No action is taken on Form H1010-MR without a corresponding application.

If the applicant returns a signed application without Form H1010-MR, consider the application incomplete. Send Form H1020, Request for Information or Action, with Form H1010-MR requesting the necessary information to make a determination based on Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) rules. If the applicant fails to provide a completed Form H1010-MR by the final due date, deny the request for failure to provide information.

Application Requests and Submissions, A-113 Receipt of Application, A-121

Revision 26-2; Effective April 1, 2026

An interview is required at application and redetermination. Complete an interview even if the application only has the applicant’s name, address, and signature. Attempt to interview the applicant as a lobby walk-in or by making a cold call. Mail the applicant Form H1830, Application, Review, Expiration, Appointment Notice if the cold call is unsuccessful. It provides the applicant information on how to call the agency for a flexible appointment interview.

An interview is not required. Process the application unless the applicant requests an interview.

Process the application without an interview if an interview is requested by the applicant and they fail to keep it. Do not deny the EDG for a missed appointment or send Form H1020-MA-FA, Request for Information or Action-Missed Appointment-Flexible Appointment.

Exceptions:

If the applicant was previously denied for failure to provide Form H1024, Subject: Self-Declaration Notice for missing an appointment about HCO or Texas Health Steps noncompliance, schedule a phone interview and deliver the HCO. Remind the applicant about the importance of the Texas Health Steps checkup at that time.

Staff conduct an interview for an initial application or redetermination when HHSC receives conflicting information about household composition or income that affects eligibility and the information cannot be verified through other means, such as an associated EDG .

Interviews, A-131 Explanation of Benefits, A-1531.4 Compliance Requirements, A-1531.5

Revision 22-3; Effective July 1, 2022

Perform Application Registration (App Reg) within one workday after the file date when application registration is required.

To prevent overpayments or incorrectly providing benefits, take the following action before registering an application:

screen each application filed; and

associate the old case number in File Clearance when appropriate.

Perform inquiry on all household members applying for benefits listed on the application for assistance. Use Social Security numbers (SSNs), case name search and available case or EDG numbers to determine case status.

If inquiry shows … then … no record, follow established local office procedures for processing applications. an individual record, check case and EDG status (active or denied). If the case is active , determine if the person is currently active on another case in the same program. If the person is: not currently active in the same program, register the application. entitled to dual SNAP participation as a resident of a shelter for battered persons, follow procedures in B454.1, Duplicate Participation Procedures . currently active in the same program and is not entitled to dual benefits, take appropriate action to prevent duplicate participation. Process an overpayment, if applicable. If the case is denied , associate the old case number in File Clearance after determining that this is the same household. a SNAP-Combined Application Project (CAP) case record, check for CBS status in TIERS inquiry. SNAP-CAP will be listed as FS-SNAP under Current EDG Affiliations in case inquiry results and under Current Eligibility in individual inquiry results. Follow established local office procedures applicable to the specific case situation.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

The individual may voluntarily withdraw an application any time before certification.

If someone other than the head of household, spouse, a responsible household member, or an AR requests a withdrawal, staff should contact the household to confirm the withdrawal.

The Texas Works Message, A-1527

Revision 15-3; Effective July 1, 2015

Presumptive eligibility (PE) provides short-term medical coverage to pregnant women, MBCC applicants, children under age 19, parents and caretaker relatives of dependent children under age 19, and former foster care children. PE provides full fee-for-service Medicaid with the exception of pregnant women. Pregnant women receive ambulatory prenatal care only.

Qualified hospitals (QHs) determine PE for all groups except MBCC.

Qualified entities (QEs) determine PE for pregnant women and MBCC applicants. For MBCC applicants, only QEs that are also Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Breast and Cervical Cancer Services contractors may make MBCC PE determinations, following the process outlined in X100, Application Processing .

Revision 15-3; Effective July 1, 2015

The following groups can receive presumptive eligibility coverage:

Children: MA-Children Under 1 Presumptive — TA 74 MA-Children 1–5 Presumptive — TA 75 MA-Children 6–18 Presumptive — TA 76

Former Foster Care Children (MA-FFCC Presumptive — TA 83)

Pregnant Women (MA-Pregnant Women Presumptive — TP 42)

Parents and Other Caretaker Relatives (MA-Parents and Caretaker Relatives Presumptive — TA 86)

Revision 15-3; Effective July 1, 2015

TIERS performs automated file clearance for each individual determined presumptively eligible if the individual has a 100 percent match in TIERS or if there is no match for the individual in TIERS. For individuals for whom TIERS cannot perform automated file clearance, TIERS triggers an alert to create a TLM task for staff to manually do file clearance for the individual. TIERS routes manual file clearance tasks to the Out-stationed Worker Program (OWP) queue for assignment and processing.

Revision 15-3; Effective July 1, 2015

When TIERS cannot automatically perform file clearance for an individual whom a QH/QE has determined to be presumptively eligible, an OWP advisor needs to take action. TIERS creates the task "Process a File Clearance Failure for Presumptive Eligibility" and sends it to an OWP advisor based on the applicant's ZIP code.

To complete the task, the advisor:

Selects the Work icon.

Selects the individual who needs file clearance from the Presumptive Eligibility Individual — Summary page .

Matches the PE individual to the TIERS individual on the PE File Clearance — Results page .

Selects Auto Process PE on the File Clearance — Results page to complete the task once the advisor has performed file clearance for all individuals on the case.

The advisor can also manually clear the task. When an advisor searches for an application on the Self Service Application Search page, the SS Application Search Results section displays a Determine PE link if a PE individual on the case requires manual file clearance. TIERS displays the Presumptive Eligibility Individual — Summary page when the advisor clicks the link.

Once the advisor completes file clearance, TIERS notifies TLM to close the QH/QE PE task.

Revision 15-3; Effective July 1, 2015

The TLM routes applications for regular Medicaid from individuals whom a QH/QE has determined to be presumptively eligible for Medicaid to an OWP advisor for processing. If the QH has an OWP advisor, the TLM assigns the application to that advisor for processing. If the QH does not have an OWP advisor or a QE submits the application, the TLM routes the application to the regional OWP queue.

Process the applications using current policy and application processing time frames. See B112, Deadlines . If both a PE task for file clearance and a regular Medicaid application exist for the same person, clear the PE task first.

Revision 15-3; Effective July 1, 2015

Use standard verification requirements when processing an application for regular Medicaid from an individual determined presumptively eligible. See C900, Verification and Documentation .

Verifications, C1113.4

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

The medical effective date for PE is the date that the QH or QE determines the individual is presumptively eligible for Medicaid.

Note : An individual is not eligible for PE coverage if the individual is currently certified for Medicaid, CHIP or CHIP perinatal.

If the individual does not apply for regular Medicaid, PE coverage ends the last day of the month after the month of the PE determination (see scenario 1 below).

If the individual submits Form H1205, Texas Streamlined Application , or Form H1010, Texas Works Application for Assistance — Your Texas Benefits , HHSC determines whether the individual is eligible for regular Medicaid. If the person is not eligible for regular Medicaid, the individual's PE coverage ends the date that HHSC determines the individual is ineligible (see scenario 2 below). If the person is eligible for regular Medicaid, the person’s PE coverage ends when HHSC makes the Medicaid eligibility determination, following cutoff rules.

If an individual is Medicaid-eligible during the application month, the individual receives Medicaid from the first of that month through the PE MED. Regular Medicaid coverage for the ongoing period starts once the PE period ends (see scenarios 3 and 4 below). Exception : Since PE for pregnant women provides only limited prenatal services, ongoing Medicaid coverage overlays the PE coverage (see scenario 5 below).

Examples :

PE Scenarios Individual does not apply for regular Medicaid A child is determined eligible for MA-Children 6–18 Presumptive on February 2. Her mother does not submit an application for regular Medicaid. The child’s PE coverage ends on March 31. Individual is ineligible for regular Medicaid A child is determined eligible for MA-Children Under 1 Presumptive on April 4. Her father submits an application for regular Medicaid on the same date. HHSC determines on April 20 that the child is not eligible for regular Medicaid. Her PE coverage ends on April 20. Individual is eligible for regular Medicaid (HHSC makes eligibility determination before cutoff) A child is determined eligible for MA-Children 1–5 Presumptive on March 6. His mother submits an application for regular Medicaid on the same date. HHSC determines on March 15 (before cutoff) that the child is eligible for regular Medicaid. His PE coverage ends March 31. He is certified for regular Medicaid effective March 1 to March 5 and April 1 through ongoing. Individual is eligible for regular Medicaid (HHSC makes eligibility determination after cutoff) A former foster care child is determined eligible for MA-FFCC Presumptive on May 9. He submits an application for regular Medicaid on the same date. HHSC determines on May 22 (after cutoff) that the individual is eligible for regular Medicaid. His PE coverage ends June 30. He is certified for regular Medicaid effective May 1 to May 8 and July 1 through ongoing. Pregnant woman is eligible for regular Medicaid A woman is determined eligible for MA-Pregnant Women Presumptive on June 4. She submits an application for regular Medicaid on the same date. HHSC determines on June 10 that the woman is eligible for regular Medicaid. Her PE coverage ends on June 30. Regular Medicaid overlays her PE coverage with an effective date of June 1.

Revision 15-3; Effective July 1, 2015

Pregnant women are allowed one PE period per pregnancy.

For all other PE groups, an individual is allowed no more than one period of PE per two calendar years. Example : An individual receives PE for children ages 6–18 in June 2015. He cannot receive another period of PE until January 2017.

Revision 15-3; Effective July 1, 2015

Appeals and fair hearings do not apply to PE.

Revision 20-4; Effective October 1, 2020

Refer hospitals and entities that are interested in becoming qualified to make PE decisions to the PE website .

Refer a person with questions about their PE coverage dates to the QH/QE that made the PE determination. For questions about services covered by Medicaid, tell the person to call the Medicaid help line at 800-335-8957.

Revision 15-3; Effective July 1, 2015

Form H1265, Presumptive Eligibility (PE) Worksheet — Completed by the QH/QE and used to determine if an applicant is presumptively eligible.

Form H1266, Short-term Medicaid Notice: Approved — Completed by the QH/QE and given to an individual determined presumptively eligible. This form notifies the individual about PE coverage and lists the eligibility start and end dates. If an individual takes this form to a local eligibility determination office and requests a temporary Medicaid identification card, give the person Form H1027-A, Medicaid Eligibility Verification.

Form H1267, Short-term Medicaid Notice: Not Approved — Completed by the QH/QE and given to an individual determined ineligible for PE coverage. This form explains the reason for ineligibility and how to apply for regular Medicaid.

Qualified Hospital/Qualified Entity Policy and Procedures for Presumptive Eligibility Determinations, C1113

Revision 25-1; Effective Jan. 1, 2025

Customer Care Center (CCC) Data Integrity (DI) uses the Provider Referral Process when a hospital, birthing center or Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) submits a referral directly to DI for a newborn whose mother is Medicaid eligible. The provider does not submit a claim for payment to the claims administrator for the child at this time.

DI verifies the mother's Medicaid coverage, which can be retroactive, and creates a TP 45 EDG for the newborn.

Coverage for the child begins on the child's date of birth (DOB). The last month of coverage is the last day of the month that the child turns one, except in the following situations:

The hospital notifies DI through the Texas Electronic Registration (TER) system or Form 7484, Hospital Report for Newborn Child or Children , that the child's mother relinquished her parental rights. If TER or Form 7484 indicates a relinquishment, but the new caretaker’s information is incomplete or not provided, DI provides newborn Medicaid coverage from the child's DOB through the end of the month the child is relinquished. If TER or Form 7484 indicates a relinquishment, and the new caretaker’s name and address are provided, DI completes two case actions. The first action is to process an open and close newborn Medicaid EDG with the birth mother as the case name. The coverage begins with the child’s DOB and continues through the end of the month the child was relinquished. The second action is to open a newborn Medicaid case or EDG with the new caretaker as the case name. The coverage begins the first of the month after the original newborn Medicaid coverage ended and continues through the month of the child’s first birthday.

The child's mother received TP 42 Pregnant Women Presumptive coverage at the time of the child's birth, and the mother's application for regular Medicaid coverage is denied. DI certifies the child through the birth month.

The computer generates and sends the following documents for each EDG:

Notice of the newborn's individual number to the referring provider and other providers, if identified on the provider's referral;

Your Texas Benefits Medicaid card to the newborn's mother; and

Notice informing the newborn's mother or caretaker: that the child is eligible to receive medical coverage through the month of their first birthday while they remain a Texas resident and to report any changes concerning these eligibility requirements; to report any incorrect information on Form H1027-A, Medicaid Eligibility Verification ; to report if the newborn's siblings receive TANF; and if the mother's Medicaid end date changes because the child was not born in the anticipated month.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

A task is created when a TP 45 EDG is established and the TIERS case contains an active SNAP or TANF EDG. The advisor must take the following actions once the advisor claims the newborn alert task.

If ... then ... the newborn is a mandatory member of a TANF-certified group or SNAP household, process to add the child to the TANF or SNAP EDG as explained in B641.1, Adding Newborns to the Case . the child is not a mandatory member of a TANF-certified group, but the child's mother or caretaker provides additional information about the child (name, SSN, etc.), add these changes to the TP 45 EDG. the newborn's siblings are included in the MAGI household composition for a TP 43, 44, or 48, take no action on the siblings' EDG until additional information is requested for the siblings. At that point, request verification of tax status and relationship for the newborn. If the mother provides verification of relationship for the newborn, add the newborn to the siblings' budget groups. the child becomes ineligible for TP 45 before the child's first birthday, deny TP 45 for the child, using the appropriate denial code.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

The Medicaid provider sends a claim for a newborn child with the child's mother's claim to the claims administrator. If the claims administrator cannot find the child on HHSC's eligibility files, the claims administrator suspends the child's claim and sends an exception notice to State Office Data Integrity (SODI). SODI checks the child's mother's Medicaid eligibility. If the mother received Medicaid at the time of the child's birth, including a retroactive determination, SODI follows procedures in the Provider Referral Process to provide Medicaid coverage for the child.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Field staff must perform TIERS inquiry before providing coverage for a newborn when there is no evidence of SODI TP 45. Staff should inquire by the newborn's mother's individual number and look for a process date that is after the child's DOB.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

See A-113, Application Requests and Submissions , for how to apply for Medical programs for children.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

When individuals come to a local eligibility office to inquire about health insurance for their child(ren), the front desk clerk must:

explain the ways to submit an application as outlined in A-113, Application Requests and Submissions ; and

explain that the Medicaid application process provides that if a child is found ineligible for Medicaid based on income, HHSC will test the child for CHIP and, if eligible, the Enrollment Broker will send an enrollment packet to the household.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Before certifying a child for any type of Medicaid program, advisors must perform an inquiry to determine whether the child applying for Medicaid is already enrolled or pending enrollment in Medicaid, CHIP, or CHIP perinatal.

Revision 16-2; Effective April 1, 2016

When taking action on an application, the following procedures must be applied:

If ... then ... The child applying is not active in CHIP or pending CHIP enrollment, test for Medicaid eligibility. Follow the policy for assigning the MED*. The child applying is active in CHIP and the CHIP end date is the application month or the following month, test for Medicaid eligibility. If eligible, and it is: before cutoff, begin Medicaid coverage the first day of the next month. after cutoff, begin Medicaid coverage the first day of the month following the next month. The child applying is active in CHIP and the CHIP end date is later than the month following the application month, test for Medicaid eligibility. If eligible, and processing is: before cutoff, begin Medicaid coverage the first day of the next month. after cutoff, begin Medicaid coverage the first day of the month following the next month. The child applying is pending CHIP enrollment with a start date the first day of the next month, test for Medicaid eligibility for the three months prior, if the application indicates unpaid medical bills. Test for ongoing Medicaid eligibility. If eligible, and it is: before cutoff, follow the policy for assigning the MED. after cutoff, begin Medicaid coverage the first day of the month following the next month. Provide open/close coverage for the application month and/or prior months, if applicable. The child applying is pending CHIP enrollment with a start date later than the first day of the next month, test for Medicaid eligibility for the three months prior, if the application indicates unpaid medical bills. Test for ongoing Medicaid eligibility. Follow the policy for assigning the MED. The child is active in CHIP, the application indicates she is pregnant, and the CHIP end date is in the application month, test for Medicaid eligibility. If eligible, begin Medicaid coverage the first day of the month following the CHIP end date. The child is active in CHIP, the application indicates she is pregnant, and the CHIP end date is in the month following the application month or later, test for Medicaid eligibility. If eligible, and it is: before cutoff, begin Medicaid coverage the first day of the next month. after cutoff, begin Medicaid coverage the first day of the month following the next month. One child in the family applying is active in CHIP and another is not, test for Medicaid eligibility. If eligible, follow the applicable guidelines given in the preceding scenarios, for each child. * See A-820 , Regular Medicaid Coverage, to apply the MED.

After determining a child is ineligible for Medicaid, TIERS will test eligibility for CHIP.

When the head of household does not provide their date of birth (DOB) and/or Social Security number (SSN), the following steps are taken to obtain the information:

Call the household to try to obtain the correct DOB and/or SSN. Let the household know this information is voluntary and is not required to make an eligibility determination for the child; however, it will help expedite the process.

If unable to obtain the DOB and/or SSN by telephone, continue to process the child's application for Medicaid.

Select a random DOB for the caretaker/second parent, with a year between 1965 and 1975. Using randomly selected DOBs reduces or eliminates the problem of duplicate individual numbers.

The SSN field is left blank if the correct number is not available.

Staff ensure that all other demographic information is correct and include the individual's middle name, when available.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

When a CHIP perinatal mother whose household income is above the income limit for TP 40 applies for Medicaid for her newborn and HHSC hospital-based staff have information from the applicant or the hospital that the newborn is medically fragile and that the newborn is admitted into the NICU, HHSC hospital-based staff must certify the newborn using the following process:

Upon receipt of an application for a Medicaid NICU newborn, HHSC hospital-based staff must perform inquiry to determine if the mother is on CHIP perinatal or whether the newborn has been assigned a TIERS individual identification (ID) number and is active on Medicaid.

If the newborn is not active on Medicaid, staff must deny the CHIP perinatal and certify the eligible newborn for TP 43, if eligible, following existing policy.

If not eligible, test the newborn for TP 56 and do not deny the newborn’s CHIP perinatal coverage.

If eligible, the newborn may receive TP 56 and CHIP perinatal coverage.

When HHSC hospital-based staff have information from the applicant or the hospital that a newborn born to a CHIP perinatal mother whose household income is at or below the income limit for TP 40 is medically fragile and that the newborn is admitted into the NICU, HHSC hospital-based staff must certify the eligible mother for Emergency Medicaid and the newborn for TP 45, effective on the newborn's date of birth. The CHIP perinatal mother must submit Form H3038-P, CHIP Perinatal — Emergency Medical Services Certification , to the hospital. HHSC hospital-based staff must process Form H3038-P.

Upon receipt of Form H3038-P, HHSC hospital-based staff must:

perform inquiry on the Newborn Perinatal Match Interface (Interfaces – TIERS Left Navigation) to verify the CHIP perinatal household's FPIL;

use the date Form H3038-P is provided as the file date for both the Emergency Medicaid and Medicaid for the newborn child;

certify the CHIP perinatal mother for Emergency Medicaid and deny the CHIP perinatal Eligibility Determination Group (EDG); and

certify the eligible newborn for TP 45, effective on the newborn's date of birth.

Adding a New Child, D1433.1

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

CHIP good cause is explained in D-1723.6, Good Cause Exemptions for Children Subject to the 90-day Waiting Period .

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

CHIP good cause is explained in D-1723.6, Good Cause Exemptions for Children Subject to the 90-day Waiting Period .

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Staff use any valid application or renewal form to determine three months prior coverage for Children's Medicaid. Do not require Form H1113, Application for Prior Medicaid Coverage , if the family provides enough information to determine eligibility for prior months. If the family does not provide enough information and cannot be reached by telephone, staff sends Form H1113 with Form H1020, Request for Information or Action , to request verification. Note : Three months prior coverage does not apply to CHIP. See D-1723.5, Coverage Start Dates , to determine when CHIP coverage begins.

Staff must not delay certification of ongoing eligibility to determine if any child is eligible for prior coverage.

Medicaid Coverage for the Months Prior to the Month of Application, A-830

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

A pregnant woman may apply for health care coverage using applications and ways to submit an application explained in A-113, Application Requests and Submissions .

When a pregnant woman applies for health care coverage, she will first be tested for TP 40 coverage. If ineligible for TP 40, TIERS will determine whether the woman is eligible for CHIP or CHIP perinatal.

CHIP perinatal coverage provides services to unborn children of pregnant women, regardless of age, who are at or below the program income limit and are ineligible for:

Medicaid because of immigration status or income; or

CHIP because of age or immigration status.

CHIP perinatal households are exempt from the:

90-day waiting period;

cost-sharing (enrollment fees and co-payments); and

six-month income check.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Before certifying a pregnant woman for any type of health care coverage, advisors must perform inquiry to determine whether the pregnant woman is already certified for Medicaid or enrolled or pending enrollment in CHIP or CHIP perinatal.

Searching by the woman's last name and date of birth may increase the possibility for a match.

Revision 21-2; Effective April 1, 2021

When taking action on an application, apply the following procedures.

If ... then ... the woman is active in CHIP perinatal and the application indicates she is due in the application month, test for Medicaid eligibility.* If eligible, and she is: not a U.S. citizen or alien with acceptable status, certify the woman for Emergency Medicaid coverage for the birth and certify the newborn for TP 45 Medicaid coverage. the woman is active in CHIP perinatal and the application indicates she is due in the month following the application month or later, test for Medicaid eligibility.* If eligible, and it is: before cutoff, begin Medicaid coverage the first day of the next month. after cutoff, begin Medicaid coverage the first day of the month following the next month.

* When a woman enrolled in CHIP perinatal submits a new application, they must be tested for Medicaid coverage. When processing a change for a woman certified for CHIP perinatal, TIERS will automatically test for Medicaid eligibility. A new application is not required.

Revision 21-2; Effective April 1, 2021

CHIP perinatal (TA 85) covers labor with delivery charges for households with income above the income limit for Medicaid for Pregnant Women (TP40), but not for households that qualify for Emergency Medicaid coverage (women who do not meet citizenship requirements, and whose household income is at or below the income limit for TP40). These Medicaid-eligible households must submit Form H3038-P, CHIP Perinatal — Emergency Medical Services Certification , to apply for Emergency Medicaid to pay for these charges. A woman certified for TA 85 with household income above the TP40 income limit cannot be certified for Emergency Medicaid to cover the labor with delivery charges.

A child born to a CHIP perinatal mother whose household income is at or below the income limit for TP40 and who receives Emergency Medicaid to cover labor with delivery charges is enrolled in Medicaid instead of CHIP perinatal.

Thirty days before the expected due date, TIERS generates and sends Form H3038-P with Form H1061, Birth Outcome Letter , to the household. If the household has not reported the child’s birth by 30 days after the expected due date, TIERS sends a Form H1062, Birth Outcome Reminder Letter , and a second Form H3038-P with instructions for getting Form H3038-P completed and signed by the medical practitioner, along with a self-addressed postage-paid envelope. The household must return Form H3038-P to HHSC.

Upon receipt of Form H3038-P:

the form is linked to the mother's case; and

a task is created for Customer Care Center (CCC) staff to certify the mother for Emergency Medicaid and the newborn for TP 45.

Staff must not certify the mother for Emergency Medicaid or the newborn for TP 45 if the household has not returned Form H3038-P within 60 days from the date of the expected pregnancy due date. Reopen three-month prior applications for people who return Form H3038-P after 60 days from the expected pregnancy due date.

Note: For newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), process both the Emergency Medicaid coverage for the mother and the TP 45 for the newborn.

CCC is assigned a task to process Form H3038-P. Staff must:

determine whether mother and newborn are already active on Medicaid;

if mother and newborn are not active on Medicaid, use all TP 40 eligibility policies and procedures to determine Emergency Medicaid eligibility, except when verifying income and citizenship/alien status;

use the verified income provided to determine CHIP perinatal eligibility to determine Emergency Medicaid eligibility. Note: TIERS will not run financial rules when certifying a recipient for Emergency Medicaid and will instead use the verified income used to determine the woman’s CHIP Perinatal eligibility;

verify all non-financial eligibility points prior to certification using: identity verification sources; and residence verification sources;

use the date Form H3038-P is received as the file date for the Emergency Medicaid and TP 45; and

process Form H3038-P by the 45th date after the file date.

The file date for the TP 45 is usually the date Form H3038-P is received if it includes the newborn's information. Birth outcome information can also be received via the newborn interface or from the person by phone or in writing. When birth outcome information is received after Form H3038-P has already been submitted to the HHSC, a second task is assigned to CCC to process TP 45 coverage for the newborn.

When CCC staff receive a task that includes Form H3038-P dated more than 60 days after the pregnancy due date, CCC must stamp "Received (Date) CCC" on Form H3038-P, to indicate the form was provided after the 60 days from the pregnancy due date. CCC staff must return Form H3038-P along with an application and a letter informing the person that they must apply for Medicaid. The person is instructed to complete the application and return it to the nearest HHSC office or appropriate out-stationed worker, if an out-stationed worker is housed at the hospital where the delivery took place.

The chart below explains procedures staff must follow to determine appropriate action.

If an applicant… then staff must: provides Form H3038-P only , and was active on CHIP perinatal at the time of the delivery, fax Form H3038-P to 877-447-2839 . provides an application requesting Medicaid only , provides Form H3038-P, and was active on CHIP perinatal at the time of delivery, follow policy for receipt of duplicate or identical application and fax Form H3038-P to 877-447-2839. provides an application requesting Medicaid and other benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, TANF), provides Form H3038-P, and was active on CHIP perinatal at the time of delivery, certify the TP 36 coverage when determining eligibility for the other requested programs (including TP 45) following existing policy, if eligible; or fax only Form H3038-P to 877-447-2839 if the mother is ineligible for Emergency Medicaid based on the current information. provides an application and Form H3038-P stamped with “Received (Date) CCC,” process the request for Medicaid following normal application procedures. was not active on CHIP perinatal at the time of delivery, process the Emergency Medicaid request per existing policy and certify TP 45 if appropriate.

Notes:

Fax the bar-coded Form H3038-P to 877-447-2839. If Form H3038-P is not bar-coded, write the mother's case and CHIP perinatal EDG number on the top of the form.

If the applicant requests the fax number for Form H3038-P, instruct the applicant to fax the form to 877-447-2839 .

Receipt of Duplicate Application, A-121.2 Receipt of Identical Application, A-121.3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Process, A-126.3.1 Verification Sources, A-621 Verification Sources, A-761 Reopening Three Months Prior Applications, A-831.2.1 Deadlines, B-112

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Staff must request Data Broker reports as required in C-820, Data Broker .

Permissible Purpose, C-824

Revision 26-2; Effective April 1, 2026

Conduct an interview at application and redetermination with the applicant or the applicant's spouse if the spouse is a member of the household to determine eligibility.

Exceptions :

A household may designate an authorized representative (AR) , who must also sign the application.

For SNAP, another responsible household member may also be interviewed.

For TSAP redeterminations, no interview is required unless the household requests an interview, the case contains earned income, or it appears the household is going to be denied.

Note : The spouse, or other responsible household member for a SNAP interview, does not have to sign the application to be interviewed. Staff must not exempt the household from any program or verification requirements due to interviewing an AR or conducting a phone interview.

Interviews are not required for medical programs but can be requested by the applicant or recipient. Document how the person’s identity was verified if an interview is conducted for a non-interview required program.

Authorized Representatives, A-170 SNAP Programs, B-474.1.1 Texas Simplified Application Project (TSAP) for SNAP Food Benefits, B-477

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Advisors must provide notice to the household before making any home visit. Application and redetermination interviews must be scheduled in writing. Notification of other home visits may be:

verbal,

given or mailed to the individual, or

by telephone contact with a responsible household member.

The notification should include the time (at least whether morning or afternoon) and date of the visit. Advisors should route the notification for imaging to add to the electronic case record or document the specific information in TIERS Case Comments. If regions have specialized staff that conduct home visits, the documentation may be maintained in a separate location as long as it is accessible if needed.

Home visits to collateral sources do not have to be scheduled in advance.

No one should be denied for refusing to agree to a home visit unless there is no other sufficient and reliable verification available.

Advisor Responsibility for Verifying Information, C932

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

HHSC is required to provide interpreter and translation (written or verbal) services to applicants and recipients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). Consider an individual with LEP even if they do not request an interpreter on the application if the individual indicates they would like to speak a language other than English during the interview. HHSC is also required to provide an effective method to communicate with applicants and recipients who indicate they are deaf or hearing impaired. Applicants and recipients may indicate on an application or during an interview that they need interpreter services.

Revision 23-3; Effective July 1, 2023

Local offices must set up procedures to ensure interpreters and translators are available for applicants or recipients who indicate needing such services on an application.

To meet the requirement for applicants and recipients who indicate they are Limited English Proficiency (LEP), offices can use:

Bilingual advisors – when it is reasonably possible to do so, schedule LEP applicant or recipient interviews with bilingual advisors.

Bilingual clerical staff – use bilingual clerical staff as interpreters whenever possible.

Local community interpreter providers.

Use the following methods for interpretation only after exhausting all local and regional resources:

Language Line Services – This service is available to all regions. Staff can use the service by calling the primary vendor at 844-403-1611 or the secondary vendor at 866-975-3097 and using their 11-digit employee identification number.

• Applicants or recipients may provide their own interpreter if they wish to do so. Note: A minor, 15 or older, can act as an interpreter at the person's request and when the minor accompanies the person to the interview. Do not use a minor under 15 as an interpreter.

To meet this requirement for applicants and recipients who indicate they are deaf or hearing impaired, offices can:

Schedule a phone interview if the applicant indicates the contact phone on the application is a TDD/TTY line unless the applicant requests a face-to-face interview. Note: Relay Texas can be reached at these numbers: 7-1-1, 800-RELAYTX (800-735-2989), Spanish to English (Spanish speaking callers to English speaking HHSC staff) at 888-777-5861; and and Spanish to Spanish at 800-662-4954.

If unable to reach the applicant by phone, schedule a face-to-face interview and arrange for interpreter services at the interview location.

Note : In situations where an interpreter services vendor is not available, the use of handwritten notes with the hearing-impaired person is allowed. The notes must be an effective and acceptable means of communication for the person.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Staff must inform applicants/recipients about the availability of translation (written or verbal) services regarding written materials HHSC sends to them by following the two processes below, when applicable.

When staff verbally communicate with LEP applicants/recipients at application, redetermination (including desk reviews) and change actions, staff must ensure that applicants/recipients understand the eligibility action ( Form H1020, Request for Information or Action , and Form TF0001, Notice of Case Action) being taken and the requirements for the application process (including any missing information being requested). Providing a verbal explanation to all LEP applicants/recipients in their preferred language regarding the eligibility action being taken and/or missing information being requested meets this requirement.

Note : This requirement is not applicable for desk reviews and change actions when staff process the case action without talking with the applicants/recipients.

The Vietnamese Translation Interpreter Form is automatically attached to applicable eligibility notices when clients select Vietnamese as their primary household language.

Revision 26-2; Effective April 1, 2026

During the interview, staff must:

protect the household’s confidentiality and conduct the interview as a confidential discussion of household circumstances;

review the application and resolve unclear and incomplete information with the household;

advise the household of their rights and responsibilities, including the right to appeal, voter registration, work requirements and other general reminders;

advise the household of the application processing time frames;

advise the household of their responsibility to report changes; and

ensure that the address in the eligibility determination system reflects the household's current address.

Staff must take the following actions and provide the following referrals and information during the interview:

Verify that the household agrees the information is complete and correct on the application form and in the case documentation for household composition, income, and expenses.

Verify that the income and expense information from past periods including self-employment, accurately reflect the amounts that can be anticipated for future income and expenses. If the information is inaccurate, determine why it is inaccurate.

Determine if households with questionable or negative management can explain how the household's bills are paid.

Determine if households with other discrepancies in information that could affect eligibility can provide information to resolve those discrepancies.

Determine if households who have not provided all verification requested on Form H1020, Request for Information or Action , have a reason beyond their control that prevents the household from providing verifications. If a collateral source is designated, accept the household’s statement or use other forms of verification for the missing verifications.

Determine if income verification may be calculated based on year-to-date information from other paychecks provided by the household when income verification is missing for a particular pay period(s), rather than requesting it on Form H1020.

Refer the household to other state or local resources for types of assistance the household requested on the application form, such as childcare, child support, utilities, or rent, that are provided by other agencies.

Determine if:

any adult household member received TANF cash assistance from another state since October 1999;

any member of the household was disqualified in another state for a felony or drug conviction;

any member of the household was disqualified from participating in TANF for an intentional program violation (IPV) in another state; and

applicants must provide information on parent(s) living outside of the home to meet child and medical support requirements, or if applicants meet a good cause exemption.

Determine if households qualifying for the standard medical expense want to claim actual expenses.

Determine if the household wants to prorate an expense or income.

Determine if any household member claims an exemption to Employment and Training (E&T) work requirements.

Provide reminders. Include the household's change reporting requirement, for E&T requirements, able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) time limit policy if there is an ABAWD in the household, and how the household can get and use SNAP benefits issued via EBT.

Determine if an ABAWD received any countable months of benefits in another state.

Determine if any member of the household was disqualified from participating in SNAP for an IPV or a felony drug conviction in another state. Note : Data Broker displays current out-of-state IPV disqualification data.

Explanation of Good Cause, A-1130 How to Project Income, A-1355 Budgeting Options for SNAP Households, A-1355.1 How to Budget Expenses, A-1358 Verification Requirements, A-1370 Medical Deduction, A-1428 Reminders, A-1500 Management, A-1700 Determining the Number of FTL Months Used, A-1920 Disqualifying a Household Member with a Current TANF Out-of-State IPV Disqualification, B-942

Revision 26-3; Effective July 1, 2026

Factors TANF SNAP Medical Programs Household Composition X X All Medical Programs* Citizenship X X All Medical Programs* Social Security number X X TPs 08, 40, 43, 44, 48, 56 Age X - TP 08, TA 31, TPs 32, 33, 34, 35, 43, 44, 45, 48, 56 Relationship X - TP 08, TA 31, TPs 32, 33, 34, 35, 43, 44, 45, 48, 56 Identity X X All Medical Programs except TA 31, TPs 32, 33, 34, 35, 36* Residence X X All Medical Programs* Third-Party Resources X - All Medical Programs* Domicile X - TP 08, TA 31 Deprivation X - Resources X X TP 56 (children) or TP 32 (children) Income, Deductions or Budgeting X X All Medical Programs* School attendance X - TP 08, TA 31 Work registration X X Management X X TP 08, TA 31 Responsibility Agreement X -

* TP 08, TA 31, TPs 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 40, 43, 44, 45, 48 and 56.

Note : For medical programs, the eligibility factors noted above do not necessarily apply in all cases.

Revision 19-4; Effective October 1, 2019

Step Eligible Persons With Income Type Program Code Type Program 1 People ages 18 through 25 who have aged out of foster care in Texas and were enrolled in Medicaid on their 18th birthday Not Applicable TP 82 MA Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) 2 People ages 18 through 20 who have aged out of foster care and: are not eligible for FFCC (were not receiving federally funded Medicaid when they aged out of foster care); or who aged out of foster care at age 18 or older, currently reside in Texas, and have had an Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) agreement At or below program FPL TP 70 MA Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MTFCY) 3 Pregnant Women At or below program FPL TP 40 MA Pregnant Women 4 Pregnant women who are nonimmigrants, undocumented aliens and certain legal permanent residents who have emergency medical conditions and who, except for alien status, would be Medicaid-eligible At or below TP 40 FPL TP 36 MA Pregnant Women - Emergency 5 Newborn children of Medicaid-eligible mothers up to age 1, including mothers receiving TP 36 for the delivery Not Applicable TP 45 MA Newborn Children (Deemed) 6 Children under age 1 At or below program FPL TP 43 MA Children Under Age One 7 Children ages 1 through 5 At or below program FPL TP 48 MA Children 1–5 8 Children ages 6 through 18 At or below program FPL TP 44 MA Children 6–18 9 Children ages 1 through 5 who are nonimmigrants, undocumented aliens and certain legal permanent residents who have emergency medical conditions and who, except for alien status, would be Medicaid-eligible At or below TP 48 FPL TP 33 MA Children 1–5 - Emergency 10 Children ages 6 through 18 who are nonimmigrants, undocumented aliens and certain legal permanent residents who have emergency medical conditions and who, except for alien status, would be Medicaid-eligible At or below TP 44 FPL TP 34 MA Children 6–18 - Emergency 11 Children under age 1 who are nonimmigrants, undocumented aliens and certain legal permanent residents who have emergency medical conditions and who, except for alien status, would be Medicaid-eligible At or below TP 43 FPL TP 35 MA Children Under Age One - Emergency 12 A parent or caretaker relative caring for a dependent child under age 18 or who meets school attendance requirements who receives Medicaid At or below program FPL TP 08 MA Parents and Caretaker Relatives Medicaid 13 Nonimmigrants, undocumented aliens and certain legal permanent residents who have emergency medical conditions and who, except for alien status, would be Medicaid-eligible as a parent or caretaker relative of a Medicaid-eligible child At or below TP 08 FPL TA 31 MA Parents and Caretaker Relatives - Emergency 14 Parents, caretaker relatives and children receiving Medicaid who receive denial due to new or increase in earnings Above the limits for TP 08 TP 07 MA Earnings Transitional 15 Parents, caretaker relatives and children receiving Medicaid who receive denial due to new or increase in spousal support income Above the limits for TP 08 TP 20 MA Child Support Transitional 16 Uninsured women ages 18 through 64 diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer and presumed eligible for Medicaid for Breast and Cervical Cancer (MBCC) Not Applicable TA 66 MA MBCC Presumptive 17 Uninsured women ages 18 through 64 diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer Not Applicable TA 67 MA MBCC 18 Children under age 19 and pregnant women Above the limits for TPs 40, 43, 44, and 48 FPL TP 56 MA Medically Needy with Spend Down 19 Nonimmigrants, undocumented aliens and certain legal permanent residents who have emergency medical conditions and who, except for alien status, would be Medicaid-eligible as a pregnant woman or child under age 19 Above the limits for TPs 40, 44, or 48 FPL and at or below program limit TP 32 MA Medically Needy with Spend Down - Emergency 20 Children under age 19 ineligible for Medicaid due to income Above the limits for TPs 43, 48, or 44 FPL, and at or below program limit TA 84 CI CHIP 21 Unborn children whose mother is ineligible for Medicaid or CHIP due to income or immigration status Above the limits for TPs 40 and 36, and at or below program limit TA 85 CI CHIP - Perinatal 22 Former foster care youth ages 21 through 22 attending school of higher education who: are not eligible for FFCC; or who aged out of foster care at age 18 or older, currently reside in Texas, and have had an ICPC agreement. At or below program FPL TA 77 Health Care Benefits Health Care - FFCHE 23 Children under age 1 presumed to be eligible for Medicaid as determined by a Qualified Hospital (QH) At or below TP 43 FPL TA 74 MA Children Under Age One - Presumptive 24 Children ages 1 through 5 presumed to be eligible for Medicaid as determined by a QH At or below TP 44 FPL TA 75 MA Children 1–5 - Presumptive 25 Children ages 6 through 18 presumed to be eligible for Medicaid as determined by a QH At or below TP 48 FPL TA 76 MA Children 6–18 - Presumptive 26 Parents and caretaker relatives presumed to be eligible for TP 08 by a QH At or below TP 08 FPL TA 86 MA Parents and Caretaker Relatives - Presumptive 27 Former Foster Care Children presumed to be eligible for Medicaid by a QH Not Applicable TA 83 MA FFCC - Presumptive 28 Healthy Texas Women At or below program FPL TA 41 MA Healthy Texas Women 29 Pregnant women presumed to be eligible for TP 40 by a QH or Qualified Entity (QE) At or below TP 40 FPL TP 42 Pregnant Women - Presumptive

Notes :

If the pregnant woman or child under age 19 indicates unpaid medical expenses for any of the three months prior to application month or for the application month, determine eligibility under the following programs: TP 56, Medically Needy with Spend Down, for pregnant women and children under age 19 who are ineligible for Medicaid because of income. TP 32 Medically Needy with Spend Down - Emergency, for pregnant women and children under age 19 who are ineligible for Medicaid because of income and alien status.

Children ages 0 thru 18 who are ineligible for medical programs because of income are tested for CHIP.

Income Limits, C-131 Qualified Hospital/Qualified Entity Procedures for Presumptive Eligibility Determinations, C-1113 Guidelines for Providing Retroactive Coverage for Children and Medical Programs, C-1114 Type Programs (TP) and Type Assistance (TA), C-1150 Former Foster Care in Higher Education (FFCHE), Part F Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MTFCY), Part M Medicaid for Breast and Cervical Cancer (MBCC), Part X Healthy Texas Women, Part W

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

See A-240, Medical Programs .

Revision 26-2; Effective April 1, 2026

Before completing the interview, staff must ensure that the applicant:

provides all the information requested on the application;

reports any changes that occurred since filing the application; and

reads and understands persons's rights and responsibilities as explained on the application.

Staff must also ensure that:

TANF applicants read and understand the rights and responsibilities of the child support program explained on Explanation of Child Support Eligibility Requirements Family Violence and God Cause FAQS (PDF) ;

TANF applicants read and understand Form H2580, TANF Employment Services Notice , and receive a copy of the form; and

TANF applicants read, understand and sign Form H1073, Personal Responsibility Agreement .

Staff must provide the applicant with Form H1805, SNAP Food Benefits: Your Rights and Program Rules .

Before completing the interview, if requested, make sure the applicant:

completes all sections of the application; and

reads and understands the person's benefits and responsibilities as explained on Form H1010, Texas Works Application for Assistance — Your Texas Benefits , and Form H1205, Texas Streamlined Application .

Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013

A complete list of documentation requirements for determining eligibility can be found at the conclusion of each eligibility section within the Texas Works Handbook. TIERS Data Collection pages handle a vast majority of the required documentation for case records. For the remaining small percentage of documentation still required by policy, staff must include the information in TIERS Case Comments. For documentation that is not captured within the Data Collection pages, a comprehensive guide, The Texas Works Documentation Guide , has been developed. This documentation guide outlines the requirements for documentation that must be entered in TIERS Case Comments.

Revision 24-1; Effective Jan. 1, 2024

If the applicant cannot furnish all required proof during the interview or with the application, allow the household at least 10 days to provide the information. The due date must be a business day .

Staff must provide an applicant Form H1020, Request for Information or Action , explaining:

what is needed;

the due date for receipt of the information; and

the date the application must be denied if information is not received.

Form H1020 should include Form H1020-A, Sources of Proof , that corresponds to the verification requested.

Do not request additional verification if available through electronic data sources unless questionable.

Do not allow 10 days for the applicant to provide verification if doing so exceeds the 15 business day processing time frame and verification can be postponed.

Expedited Certification Procedures, A-145 Pending Verification on Applications, B-115 Questionable Information, C-920

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

After obtaining all required proof, dispose of the application and provide the applicant Form TF0001, Notice of Case Action, detailing the decision.

HIPAA requires HHSC to provide a notice of privacy practices that explains:

the person's privacy rights;

the duties of HHSC to protect the person's health information; and

how HHSC may use or disclose the person's health information without an authorization. For example, HHSC may share health information with the person's providers to arrange for services or with other government entities to report suspected abuse or neglect.

Provide Form 0401, Notice of Privacy Practices (English PDF) , or Form 0401-S, Aviso de Normas Sobre la Privacidad (Spanish PDF) , as appropriate, to each household enrolled in a medical program.

Provide Form 0401 or Form 0401S with Form TF0001, Notice of Case Action, to each head of household:

at initial certification; and

at recertification after a break in services of more than 180 days.

Form 0403, Explanation to Health Information Privacy Rights, provides a reminder of privacy practices and where to find Form 0401.

Provide Form 0403 (PDF) with Form TF0001 to each head of household:

at each recertification;

after a break in services of at least 30 days but not more than 180 days; and

when a new person is added to a case.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

The policies and procedures included in the handbook are rules for determining eligibility. It is impossible to provide examples for all policy situations. When staff encounter rare and unusual situations, HHSC encourages them to use reason and apply good judgment in making eligibility decisions. The "prudent person" principle allows staff to make reasonable decisions based on the best available information using:

common sense,

program knowledge,

experience, and

expertise.

Staff should document the rationale used to make a decision and any applicable handbook references.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Deprivation is the loss of financial support from a legal parent for one of the following reasons:

absence of parent(s) from the home;

death of parent(s);

physical or mental incapacity of parent who is living in the home; or

unemployment or underemployment of one or both parents in a two-parent household.

Revision 04-7; Effective October 1, 2004

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

When a child lives with both biological parents and the father:

is not married to the child’s mother;

is not the legal father as determined through court adjudication; and

acknowledges paternity,

staff should follow the procedures below to establish deprivation:

If the child's mother … then … is or was married (other than by common-law) to another man presumed to be the child's legal father, the child is deprived based on absence and the biological father should not be certified. Both fathers must be referred to the Attorney General (see A-1100 , Child Support). was never married to a man presumed to be the child's legal father, the child is deprived, but not based on absence. was married by common-law to another man, the child is deprived, but not based on absence.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

If an application is filed for a child living with the mother and a man who may be the child's father and the couple disagrees about paternity, the mother must provide written proof of her statement.

If the mother proves the man is … then deprivation is … the child's father, not based on absence, but rather on the relationship to the biological father living in the home. not the child's father, based on absence.

If the mother is unable to provide written proof, staff must accept the man's statement and determine deprivation accordingly. If there are other paternity conflicts, assistance should be requested from the regional attorney.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Deprivation exists when a child's legal parent(s) is deceased. Staff must explore possible survivor's benefits for the child and/or remaining parent.

Revision 03-7; Effective October 1, 2003

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Deprivation based on absence exists when:

a child's legal parents do not live together because of: divorce, legal separation, desertion, incarceration, or deportation;

the child's biological father lives in the home with the mother and child but a legal parent-child relationship exists between the child and another man;

a parent resides outside the U.S. and there is a legal impediment that prevents the parent from living in this country; or

a parent convicted of an offense and sentenced by a court to perform unpaid community service during work hours lives at home while serving the sentence.

If absence is anticipated to last for:

30 days or less, the absence is considered temporary and the child is not deprived.

more than 30 days, the absence is considered continuing.

Note: If the absence is currently less than 30 days but is anticipated to last longer than 30 days, the Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) should not be pended for deprivation.

A parent should be included in the certified group if the parent is temporarily absent for a reason listed in A-920 , Temporary Absence from the Home.

Deprivation based on absence does not exist when a parent is absent solely because of:

employment; or

active duty in the uniformed services of the United States, even if the parent is incarcerated or absent without leave (AWOL).

Exception: Deprivation may exist if there is a break in the family relationship unrelated to active duty in the service, and information indicates the family members are not functioning as a family unit. Information can be a statement from the caretaker that she and the second parent consider themselves to be separated so that the parents and children are not functioning as one family unit.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

A child living with parents who have court-ordered joint custody may be deprived based on absence. In joint custody cases, either parent may apply for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for the child. When the child alternately lives with either parent each month, either parent may apply. See A-910 , General Policy.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Contact the … when the address or phone number is known and … Determine … legal absent parent, there is reason to believe the absent parent is making cash contributions other than child support; or conflicting information is provided regarding the parent's absence. if the absent parent is making contributions other than child support; the reason for the absence; how long the absent parent has been absent; and if the absent parent has plans to return and the anticipated return date. alleged parent with no legal parent-child relationship, there is reason to believe the absent parent is making contributions other than child support to the household; or the absent parent lives in the home and is a potential legal father through common-law marital status. if the absent parent is making contributions other than child support; or if a common-law marriage exists.

Advisors must notify the applicant/individual before contacting the absent parent. Advisors should not contact the absent parent if the individual has a pending or valid claim of good cause. See A-1130 , Explanation of Good Cause.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

When an absent parent returns to the home, the absent parent should be added to the case following policy in B-641 , Additions to the Household, and eligibility and benefits should be determined.

If eligible, advisors must document the new reason for deprivation and notify the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

If ineligible, advisors must deny TANF. If the absent parent’s earnings cause the case to be denied, advisors must transfer the case to TP 07 and include the absent parent.

Related Policy Earnings of a New TANF Spouse, A-1249.2

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

A parent is incapacitated if a medically determined mental or physical impairment results in a substantial reduction in the ability to support or care for the child. This impairment kept or will keep the parent from performing the parent’s usual work for at least 30 days.

The individual's usual work is the individual's main occupation for the last 15 years. In the case of a homemaker, the activities related to caring for a child are considered usual work.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Advisors must determine whether the household meets all other eligibility criteria. If the household meets all other eligibility criteria, a disability determination request should be processed as follows:

Advisors must determine whether the household is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance (RSDI) based on disability. If the individual receives either of these benefits, deprivation is established. Note: Eligibility for SSI or RSDI based on age does not establish deprivation.

If the applicant has a disability that is:

obvious, advisors must certify the household for TANF and require a completed Form H1836-A , Medical Release/Physician's Statement, at the next redetermination.

not obvious, the advisor must complete the disability determination. A disability determination consists of the advisor completing and sending Form H1836-A to the physician who treated the individual within the past 60 days for the incapacity being claimed. Note: The physician is not paid for completing this verification.

If Form H1836-A is returned indicating that the individual has … then the household should be certified for … a temporary disability, TANF or TANF-State Program (SP), and the individual must be informed that the disability will be reviewed at each periodic redetermination. a permanent disability, TANF or TANF-SP. no disability, TANF or TANF-SP, and the requirements for participation in the Choices program must be explained.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Medical reviews must be processed at each periodic review following the steps in A-1051 , Determining Incapacity.

If the disability was … then … determined at initial certification without Form H1836-A , Medical Release/Physician's Statement, or was temporary and has ended (based on Form H1836-A) and the individual still claims to have a disability, the advisors must require the individual to provide Form H1836-A before recertifying the case. If the individual does not provide the statement and the disability is not established, the advisor must then certify the household for TANF, if otherwise eligible. permanent (based on Form H1836-A) and has not ended, the advisor must continue to base deprivation on incapacity and not require another Form H1836-A unless the individual is working and/or the condition has improved.

Revision 02-8; Effective October 1, 2002

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Deprivation based on unemployment may exist when a legal parent is:

unemployed, or

underemployed.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Eligibility for TANF-SP may be determined when:

a child lives with both of the child's natural or adoptive legal parents/stepparents, even if one or both are disqualified for one of the reasons listed in A-222 , Who Is Not Included, No. 4, Disqualified Members, unless that disqualification is due to not meeting citizenship requirements; and

the household meets all other TANF eligibility requirements.

Revision 02-8; Effective October 1, 2002

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Choices participation requirements and procedures are explained in A-1800 , Employment Services.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Verify the disability status using Form H1836-A , Medical Release/Physician's Statement.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

copy of death certificate;

Birth Verification System record;

doctor's statement;

Social Security claim number or evidence of receipt of widow's or survivor's benefits from the deceased person's Social Security number;

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or military service records;

Indian census record;

statement from funeral director;

records from the hospital or other institution where the person died; and

insurance company records.

newspaper death notice listing survivors;

state or local public assistance records (including burial payment records);

lodge, club or other organization records;

police records;

statement from clergy; and

"In Memoriam" card.

statement from the absent parent;

rent receipt/statement from the absent parent's non-relative landlord;

statement from clergy, landlord, or other knowledgeable non-relative;

correctional institution records;

telephone directory;

absent parent's child(ren)’s school records;

tax records;

absent parent's employment records;

union records;

court records;

statement from law enforcement officials;

insurance records;

medical records;

post office address records for the absent parent;

other agency records;

absent parent's unemployment compensation records;

Department of Motor Vehicles record showing the absent parent's address (includes driver license, identification card, and motor vehicle registration);

city or crisscross directory; and

Social Security, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or other government agency records.

Texas Workforce Commission inquiry;

tax records;

check stubs;

employer's statement;

business records; and

Form H1028 , Employment Verification.

Questionable Information, C-920 Providing Verification, C-930

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Advisors must document the:

facts about the incapacity and any expected changes;

processing dates of incapacity applications and reviews;

facts about good cause claims;

facts about adverse actions for noncooperation;

name and last known address of the legal and/or biological father of an unborn child, if the mother receives TANF;

permanent or temporary disability status; and

basis for a special review and the special review date.

Documentation, C-940

The Texas Works Documentation Guide

Revision 26-2; Effective April 1, 2026

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) Child Support Division is responsible for the child support program. The OAG attempts to establish and enforce child support and medical support for children on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and certain medical programs.

Caretakers and payees must cooperate to get child support and medical support for a child receiving TANF unless good cause exists.

Parents and caretaker relatives are mandatory participants. They must cooperate to get medical support for a child receiving Medicaid unless good cause exists. They may refuse help in getting child support, but not medical support. If the applicant refuses help getting child support, the OAG will not attempt to establish or enforce child support unless the applicant has a previous TANF case with arrears that must be paid back to the state. Staff must explain to applicants, if an interview is conducted, that when the OAG pursues medical support, Texas courts also pursue a child support order. If the applicant chooses medical support only, the OAG will not attempt to enforce the child support orders.

Note: Staff must request information on parents living outside of the home as this information is not requested for Medical Programs on the application. If an interview is not conducted, staff must request this mandatory information using Form H1020, Request for Information or Action , and send the household Form H1712, Explanation of Child, Medical Support, Family Violence and Good Cause and Form H1713, Service Plan for Family Violence Option and Report of Good Cause .

Explanation of Good Cause, A-1130

Medical support requirements do not apply to other medical programs. Applicants may volunteer to receive child or medical support services. There is no penalty for noncooperation.

Note: The OAG may contact and continue to collect benefits for a household receiving only children's medical assistance due to previous receipt of TANF.

Households may contact the OAG with questions or for help getting OAG services by calling 800-252-8014.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

If the custodial or noncustodial parents or employers have questions regarding child support payments, distribution, or withholdings, they should be referred to the local child support office or to 1-800-252-8014.

Custodial or noncustodial parents should be referred to the local OAG office if they request verification and certification of public assistance received. The OAG staff complete Form 1740, Request for Public Assistance Payment Certification, when the amount of public assistance is in question or when it is needed in court to establish child support. Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Fiscal Management Services (E-411) researches and certifies the amounts and date on Form 1745, Report of Total Public Assistance Payments, for the OAG.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Form H1712, Explanation of Child/Medical Support, Family Violence and Good Cause, is used to explain the:

child support process;

benefits of the child support program;

penalties for noncooperation;

details about the family violence option;

details of the good cause claim for not cooperating; and

individual's responsibility to: provide information to the OAG and HHSC on all possible biological and/or legal parent(s); help the OAG find the absent parent; help the OAG establish paternity, if necessary; go to the OAG office or to court to sign papers or provide necessary information; and remit all child/medical support payments received after TANF is approved.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

The assignment of rights to child and medical support is accomplished when an applicant signs an application that includes a request for TANF or TP 08. Signing the application gives the OAG permission to receive and process any child or medical support payments made payable to the child.

Revision 02-6; Effective July 1, 2002

Revision 26-2; Effective April 1, 2026

The information requested on Form H0050, Parent Profile Questionnaire , is required for each absent parent. The absent parent information may be obtained verbally. Enter the information to the Absent Parent page in the eligibility determination system. If a child has both a legal and a biological absent parent, information on both the legal and biological parent is required unless the person can reasonably explain why it is impossible to provide information or has established good cause. The person must provide the following information about the absent parent:

the absent parent's first and last name;

information about the relationship between the child's parents, such as divorced, separated or never married; and

at least one of the following: the absent parent's Social Security number; the absent parent's current or last known address; or the absent parent's current or previous employer information.

Staff must address each item on Form H0050 and help the person get information about the absent parent(s). The OAG establishes cases based on information collected from the applicant and entered by HHSC staff. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may affect the successful enforcement of child support.

An interview is not required. If absent parent information is not provided on the application, staff must request the information using Form H1020, Request for Information or Action .

If the person volunteers to receive services provided by the OAG, staff must collect absent parent information as noted above and refer the child's Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) to the OAG.

Explanation of Good Cause, A-1130

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Advisors must send referrals to the OAG on legal and biological parent(s):

when deprivation is based on absence;

when deprivation is based on death;

if paternity cannot be established using policy in A-1021, Unwed Parents Living Together , for a biological father who is in the home;

if the family volunteers to receive services provided by the OAG for Children's Medicaid programs; or

the adult caretaker receives TP 08. See A-1122.1, Parent Profile Questionnaire , for Children's Medicaid programs.

Advisors do not send a referral if:

a child in the home is not deprived because both parents are in the home or deprivation is based on unemployment or underemployment (TANF-State Program [SP]);

a claim of good cause has been established;

deprivation is based on physical or mental incapacity; or

the legal or biological father of a pregnant woman's unborn child has no other children receiving Medicaid.

Advisors must review Form H0050, Parent Profile Questionnaire , with the individual to ensure no items are blank, that the individual provided complete and current information, and entered the information in the Absent Parent logical unit of work (LUW). The Texas Integrated Eligibility Redesign System (TIERS) automatically sends the referral to the OAG.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Advisors must advise the client to report new information about the absent parent(s), review the information previously submitted for accuracy, and update items as needed. The OAG will receive the update automatically.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

After certification, TANF individuals must remit to the OAG all child support payments received for a certified child. Individuals should be given sufficient copies of Form H1710, Payment Identification , and OAG self-addressed envelopes, if payments are being made or might be made. When the individual receives a child support payment from an absent parent following certification, the individual must:

write on the check or money order "Deposit Only - State Treasury" and not endorse the check or money order;

include Form H1710 with the check or money order; and

send it to the Texas Child Support Disbursement Unit, P.O. Box 659791, San Antonio, Texas 78265-9941.

If child support is intended for a child on TANF and one on Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the individual must remit the payment to the OAG for proration and distribution to occur.

If the individual turns in child support payments to the local office, advisors must:

forward the payment(s) to the Child Support Disbursement Unit; and

give the individual a copy of Form H4100, Money Receipt .

Advisors must send Form H1701, Child Support, TANF Foster Care and TANF/Medicaid Case Information Exchange , including the amounts and months involved, to the OAG if the advisor becomes aware that the individual did not remit a child support payment. Advisors should follow policy in A-1140, Noncooperation with Child Support Program Requirements , to sanction the individual for noncooperation. If the individual indicates they will continue to keep child support received from the absent parent, the advisor should follow policy in B-700, Claims , and process a claim for the month(s) of unreported income.

If the OAG becomes aware that the individual received child support and did not remit the payments, the child support officer notifies the advisor on Form H1701. The advisor must process a claim for the unreported income.

The household must not be required to remit any child support collected on behalf of a non-mutual child.

Remitting Cash Medical Support Payments to the Third-Party Resources (TPR) Unit, A-861.5 Child Support, A-1326.2

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

After individuals are certified for TANF, they must send all child support payments received to the OAG Child Support Division. The OAG:

sends the $75 disregard to the individual;

reimburses the state for TANF paid to the individual; and

sends HHSC the monthly interface file of child support collections for TANF recipients.

HHSC uses the information to determine whether the collection exceeds the grant plus the disregard, and to determine grant in jeopardy if it exceeds the grant.

If the individual receives child support for an SSI child in the household, the OAG will distribute (directly to the individual) the prorated share of support intended for the SSI child.

The month after the OAG receives a child support payment, the OAG will send the individual up to $75 (disregard payment). The amount sent is the lesser of:

the court-ordered payment amount,

the amount the OAG received during a given month, or

$75.

When the OAG receives a child support collection that exceeds the grant plus unreimbursed assistance, the excess is sent to the individual. Form H1714, Notice of Grant Jeopardy; Form H1715, Notice of Excess Payment; or Form H1717, Notice of Grant Jeopardy/Excess Payment — Denial, will notify the advisor of the date and amount of the payment.

A grant-in-jeopardy EDG may be generated for EDGs involving SSI children. In processing the grant-in-jeopardy, TIERS determines whether the prorated share of child support exceeds the TANF grant, minus the disregard. If the prorated share exceeds the TANF grant, minus the disregard, TIERS will deny the EDG. If the amount does not exceed the TANF grant, TIERS will allow the TANF EDG to continue.

Example: The household consists of a caretaker and one child who receives TANF and one child who receives SSI. - $300 child support for both children - -150 will go directly to SSI child - 150 child support for TANF child - - 75 disregard - $75 does not exceed TANF for a caretaker and one child; the state retains the child support

Note: If the individual appeals the action described in A-852, Automated Process , and receives continued benefits, the advisor must count the excess payment as income during the appeal period if the advisor anticipates that the child support payments will continue.

Automated Process, A-852 Child Support, A-1326.2 $75 Disregard Deduction, A-1422 Child Support Systems, C-830

Revision 26-2; Effective April 1, 2026

Good cause allows people to access benefits safely. It provides an exemption from cooperating with the OAG’s child support and medical support requirements.

Explain the family violence option and good cause exemption to all households applying for benefits, when an interview is conducted. Use of Child Support Eligibility Requirements Family Violence and Good Cause FAQs (PDF) , to explain the good cause exemption from the child support and medical support requirements. Include the situations that justify good cause and the required verifications in the explanation. Explain that the applicant does not have to cooperate with child support or medical support requirements if they can prove that cooperation is not in the child's best interest.

A claim of good cause must be made separately for each absent parent. Notify the OAG of the applicant’s good cause claim. This notification is sent from HHSC to the OAG through an automated interface once staff enter the information into the eligibility determination system and the case is disposed.

After explaining Form H1712 to the applicant:

Review Part I of Form H1713, Service Plan for Family Violence Option and Report of Good Cause , with the applicant during the interview. Complete only Part I of Form H1713 if the applicant indicates on this form that they do not want to claim good cause. If the applicant wants to continue to claim good cause, continue completing Part II and Part III, where applicable, of Form H1713.

Complete Part II Assessment Referral of Form H1713 if the applicant wants to claim good cause for family violence. Make an assessment referral to a family violence specialist using Part II of Form 1713. The family violence specialist makes a recommendation of good cause for reasons of family violence using Form H1706, Good Cause Recommendation and Family Violence Exemption .

Complete Part III of Form H1713 to show the good cause reason and determination date.

Once the family violence specialist makes a recommendation of good cause on Form H1706, complete Part III of Form H1713 and send the form to the local child support office and HHSC Family Violence Program (FVP) staff to report the final decision.

Note: The eligibility determination system automatically notifies the local child support office of the good cause determination through the OAG interface when the EDG is disposed.

Do not require an interview. Send Form H1712 and Form H1713 by mail to the household to determine if good cause applies if unable to reach the household by phone.

Good Cause for Family Violence Option, A-1131.1

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Good cause exists when:

a child was conceived as a result of incest or rape;

a child or caretaker may be physically harmed;

a child or caretaker may be emotionally harmed to the extent that the caretaker's capacity to adequately care for the child is impaired; or

legal proceedings for the child's adoption are pending before a court or a licensed or private social agency is helping the individual decide whether to keep the child or relinquish the child for adoption.

Note: This issue must not have been under discussion more than three months and staff must update the absent parent referral if the issue remains unsolved beyond the third month.

Revision 26-2; Effective April 1, 2026

Cooperating with the OAG’s child and medical support requirements could pose a potential safety risk for family violence victims and their children. HHSC and OAG allow good cause for family violence to not comply with child and medical support requirements. Explain and offer the family violence option at each application and redetermination.

Staff must:

explain Explanation of Child Support Eligibility Requirements Family Violence and Good Cause FAQs (PDF) , and give a copy of the form to the applicant;

review Part I of Form H1713, Acknowledgement of Family Violence Good Cause Option and Contact Resource , with the applicant; and

use Part II of Form 1713 to make a referral to a family violence specialist if the applicant wants to claim good cause for reasons of family violence.

A list of family violence shelters is searchable in the eligibility determination system and on the HHS Family Violence Program page . Give the applicant the National Domestic Violence Hotline number if no shelter serves their area to help them locate the closest family violence service provider. The number is 800-799-7233 (800-799-SAFE) or 800-787-3324 TTY for people who are deaf.

If the applicant wants to claim good cause for not complying with TANF or Medicaid child and medical support requirements due to family violence:

the applicant arranges to speak with the referred family violence specialist to discuss their need to claim good cause;

the family violence specialist makes the good cause recommendation after they complete Form H1706, Good Cause Recommendation and Family Violence Exemption , and returns the form to the applicant or HHSC to use as verification;

provide the applicant a confidential phone interview with the family violence specialist from the local HHSC eligibility office for face-to-face interviews at a local HHSC eligibility office; and

in the face-to-face scenario, the Form H1706 is not required, and staff use client statement as verification.

Continue to process the TANF or Medicaid EDG. Collect absent parent information verbally or by pending the EDG for the Form H0050, Parent Profile Questionnaire . Remind the applicant that HHSC requires a completed Form H0050 if the family violence specialist does not recommend good cause or the applicant decides not to pursue good cause. If the applicant does not pursue good cause, they must complete and return Form H0050 or provide absent parent information before staff can approve the TANF or Medicaid EDG.

Note: By collecting the absent parent information or pending the EDG for the information at the time of application, staff can process the application whether or not the H1706 supports the good cause claim.

Allow the applicant at least 10 days to return Form H1706, Form H1713 and Form H0050. Certify the EDG, if otherwise eligible, without the Form H1706, if not returned or if Form H1706 does not support the good cause claim.

Staff requirements for Form H1713 are:

complete Part II and Part III of Form H1713;

send a copy to the local child support office; and

send a copy to the family violence coordinator by one of the following methods to report the final decision: Interagency mail: Family Violence Coordinator, Mail Code 2010 Regular mail: Family Violence Coordinator 909 W. 45th St., Mail Code 2010 Austin, TX 78751; or Email: Send completed and scanned documents only to the HHSC Family Violence Mailbox .

Once the good cause claim is established, review the claim at each redetermination. Update the absent parent referral if the recipient stops claiming good cause. Do this by removing the good cause indicator to allow the OAG to help the family get child or medical support services for their children. If the recipient continues to claim good cause, continue to uphold good cause.

Do not require an interview. Staff send Form H1712 and Form H1713 by mail to the household to determine if good cause applies if unable to reach the household by phone.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

If an individual claims good cause based on an adoption, rape, or incest, advisors must:

allow individuals 20 days to provide evidence;

extend the deadline for evidence if additional time is needed to obtain the necessary information;

document the reason for extending the deadline and obtain supervisory approval; and

flag the case and evaluate the evidence when received and recommend either that the individual: has good cause for not cooperating and the OAG should not continue child support locate and enforcement efforts; or does not have good cause for not cooperating and the OAG should continue child support locate and enforcement efforts.

Note: For adoption situations, the issue must not have been under discussion for more than three months. If the issue is unresolved beyond the third month, staff must update the absent parent referral.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

At initial certification and redetermination or incomplete reviews, the advisor must determine whether the individual failed to cooperate with child support requirements.

The advisor determines noncooperation when:

an individual fails to cooperate with child support requirements without good cause (see A-1120 , Child Support Program Requirements and Procedures, for individual responsibilities); or

HHSC receives Form H1708-A , Report of Noncooperation (Automated), from the OAG via the weekly interface.

There is no penalty for noncooperation for Medical Programs. Advisors do not take any action on an individual who volunteers to receive child and medical support services but later noncomplies.

Revision 16-2; Effective April 1, 2016

The Child Support Division of the OAG notifies HHSC via a weekly interface when an individual fails to cooperate with child support or medical support. Upon receipt of the notice of child support noncooperation, HHSC must take action to process the noncooperation within five workdays. See A-2140 , Full-Family Sanction, and A-2150 , Pay for Performance.

Adult TANF recipients, second parents and minor parents certified as adults, payees or disqualified adults are required to sign Form H1073 , Personal Responsibility Agreement, and cooperate with child support requirements. Failure to do so results in a full-family sanction. If the TANF recipient or payee has more than one TANF EDG and fails to cooperate with child support requirements, the sanction applies to all of their TANF EDGs. See A-2140 and A-2150 .

Parents and caretaker relatives receiving TP 08 must cooperate in establishing medical support. Failure to cooperate with requirements results in the loss of medical coverage for the noncooperating adult.

The advisor must deny a noncooperating adult's TP 08 EDG. See A-1142 , Noncooperation Situations.

Recipients applying for Children's Medicaid programs, including TP 40 for a pregnant teen under age 19, are not required to cooperate with child support requirements. Therefore, there is no penalty for noncooperation. Recipients may volunteer for child support services.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

If a child support noncooperation is received on … and the household does not have good cause, then … a denied EDG in a TANF cash benefit month, TIERS identifies the noncooperation; and sends Form TF0001, Notice of Case Action, advising the household of the noncooperation and how to cooperate. Note: If the household fails to cooperate by the last calendar day of the second month, the household will be subject to pay for performance requirements when they reapply for TANF. a denied case in a non-TANF cash benefit month, no action is required. an active TANF or TP 08 EDG, the month after the child is no longer in the home, and the noncooperation date is after the date the child was removed from the EDG, no further action is required. an EDG already sanctioned for a child support noncooperation on a different absent parent, TIERS sends Form TF0001 advising the household of the noncooperation and how to cooperate. Note: The OAG will not issue Form H1701 , Child Support, TANF Foster Care and TANF/Medicaid Case Information Exchange, until the individual cures all noncooperations. an active TP 08 EDG, TIERS denies the noncooperating adult's TP 08 EDG. an active EDG and the child receives SSI, a TANF-SP EDG with a child in the household who is deprived due to the absence of a parent, an active TANF cash EDG and the individual and absent parent have reconciled and are in the home together, or an active TP 08 EDG and the individual and absent parent have reconciled and are in the home together, refer to A-2140, Full-Family Sanction, to impose a full-family sanction. If the household fails to cure the noncooperation before the last day of the second noncooperation month, they will need to reapply under pay for performance. TIERS denies the noncooperating adult's TP 08 EDG.

Note: The advisor must determine whether the individual has good cause for not cooperating with child support requirements using policy in A-1130 , Explanation of Good Cause. If the individual has good cause, the advisor should not impose a full-family sanction.

Explanation of Good Cause, A-1130 Noncooperation with Child Support Program Requirements, A-1140 Good Cause for Child Support Noncooperation, A-2122.3 Full-Family Sanction, A-2140 Pay for Performance, A-2150

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Advisors must verify all good cause claims.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

The following are acceptable verification sources or evidence for:

Emotional or Physical Harm for Individuals — a written recommendation from a family violence specialist. The specialist must be an employee of a family violence program that contracts with HHSC. The family violence specialist must complete Form H1706 ,Good Cause Recommendation and Family Violence Exemption, which serves as verification for the good cause claim.

Incest or Rape — a birth certificate or medical or law enforcement records indicating the circumstances surrounding the child's birth.

Adoption or Pending Adoption — a court document, other related records, or written statement of the facts from the social services agency.

Related Policy Questionable Information, C-920 Providing Verification, C-930

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Advisors must document:

that the individual cooperated with the child support requirements;

every aspect of the good cause investigation, the determination, the basis for the determination, and the evidence provided;

determination made at each re-evaluation of good cause, which must occur at each periodic review; and

the reason an individual cannot provide minimum information on an absent parent.

Advisors must document the name and last known address of the legal and/or biological father of an unborn child if the mother receives TANF.

Advisors must document that the individual did not want to volunteer for child/medical support services.

Related Policy

Documentation, C-940 The Texas Works Documentation Guide

Revision 24-2; Effective April 1, 2024

Resources are assets or possessions that are either countable or exempt, depending on the program and Type of Assistance (TOA) . There are liquid and nonliquid resources. Liquid resources are those that are readily available, such as cash, checking or savings accounts, debit accounts, savings certificates, stocks, or bonds. Nonliquid resources are those that cannot be readily converted to cash, including vehicles, buildings, land, or certain other property. Count the equity value of all resources, liquid and nonliquid, unless otherwise specified or listed as exempt. The equity value is the fair market value (FMV) of an item minus all money owed on the item and the cost associated with the item’s sale or transfer.

Count resources of:

an alien's sponsor;

disqualified people;

stepparents in TANF households;

members of the TANF certified group;

members of the SNAP EDG ; and

children on TP 32 and TP 56 EDGs.

If payments exempted as resources are kept in a separate account, those payments remain exempt. If the money is placed in an interest-bearing account, the interest must be counted as income in the month received. If the money is combined with money that is countable, exempt the excluded funds for six months from the date the funds are combined. After six months, the total amount of combined funds should be counted as an available resource.

Related Policy

Resources of an Alien’s Sponsor, A-1245 Resources of Stepparents, A-1247

Categorical eligibility extends to any household authorized to receive services funded by the TANF program. The TANF non-cash (TANF-NC) program offers various services such as family planning, adult education, prevention and treatment of substance abuse, and employment services. Households must pass an income and resource test for determination of categorical eligibility based on receipt of TANF-NC services.

To meet the resource test, the household’s countable liquid resources plus excess vehicle value must be $5,000 or less. The excess vehicle value can be:

Up to $22,500, of the FMV for the highest valued countable vehicle is exempt. The excess over $22,500 FMV is counted toward the combined resource limit.

Up to $8,700 FMV for all other countable vehicles is exempt. The excess over $8,700 FMV is counted toward the combined resource limit. Note: Refer to vehicle policy for more reasons a vehicle can be exempted.

Once the recipient is authorized for TANF-NC services based on the initial resource test, all other nonliquid resources are exempt. Regular TANF policy must be followed when determining countable liquid resources within TANF-NC. Most resources are not applicable to SNAP.

Limits, A-1220 Prepaid Burial Insurance, A-1233.2 Vehicles, A-1238 How to Determine Fair Market Value of Vehicles, A-1238.5 General Policy, A-1310 Categorically Eligible Households, B-470 What to Report, B-621

Resources are not considered a factor in determining eligibility.

Resources are considered as a factor in determining eligibility for children on TP 56 and TP 32.

Exception : Do not consider resources when determining a newborn’s eligibility for TP 56 when the newborn’s mother was eligible for TP 56 or TP 32 at the time of the newborn’s birth.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

An individual must pursue all resources to which the individual is legally entitled unless it is unreasonable to pursue the resource. Advisors should develop a plan with the individual to pursue the potential resource and allow reasonable time (at least three months) to pursue the resource.

Advisors should use the comment section of Form TF0001, Notice of Case Action, to inform the individual of the requirement to pursue the resource, including the time the individual has to pursue it, and the resource is not considered available during that time.

If the individual does not pursue the resource within a reasonable time, the Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) is denied.

Exception: The individual does not have to pursue a resource if it would be unreasonable. It is unreasonable to pursue a resource if any of the following conditions exist:

The cost to the individual to pursue the resource exceeds the potential resource's value or causes the individual financial hardship;

Pursuing the resource would endanger the individual's health or safety; or

Legal action is required, but a private attorney or legal service refuses to accept the case. The individual must make a reasonable effort to obtain legal assistance.

Individuals receiving SNAP benefits do not have to pursue resources.

Note: Pursuing resources could help an individual become self-sufficient, and individuals should be provided examples of resources they might be entitled to receive.

Revision 13-2; Effective April 1, 2013

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Households are ineligible if, within three months before application or any time after certification, the household transfers a countable resource for less than its fair market value to qualify for assistance. This penalty applies if the total of the transferred resource added to other resources affects eligibility.

Resources transferred between members of the same TANF/SNAP household do not affect eligibility. If spouses separate and one spouse transfers individual property, the other spouse's eligibility is not affected.

Applicants or individuals who transfer resources to qualify for assistance must not be denied.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

In determining an individual's intent for transferring resources for TANF and SNAP benefits, staff must consider the following:

How recent was the transfer of property? A recent transfer may indicate the household transferred the resource to qualify for benefits.

How did the applicant support the household after transferring the resource? If the applicant was self-supporting or supported by the person who received the property, then the applicant's intent was to have support rather than qualify for benefits.

How did the applicant transfer the property? If the applicant loaned the property but cannot recover its value after making a reasonable effort, the applicant is eligible.

Special or unpredictable hardships that prevent the individual from making payments for the transferred resource do not affect eligibility. The supervisor and program manager must approve these situations.

Revision 24-2; Effective April 1, 2024

Base the length of denial on the amount of the transferred resources that exceed the resource maximum when added to other countable resources.

Amount in Excess of Resource Limit Denial Period $.01 to $249.99 1 month $250 to $999.99 3 months $1,000 to $2,999.99 6 months $3,000 to $4,999.99 9 months $5,000 and more 12 months

Examples:

TANF: A two-person household has $1,250 in a bank account and transfers ownership of a car worth $5,650. Exempt the first $4,650 of the vehicle’s FMV and add the remaining $1,000 to the$1,250 bank account. Subtract the $1,000 resource limit from the total. Use $1,250 to determine the number of months of ineligibility. The household is ineligible for six months.

SNAP: A two-person household has $2,000 in a bank account and transfers ownership of a car worth $26,500. Exempt the first $22,500 of the vehicle’s FMV and add the remaining $4,000 to the $2,000 bank account. Subtract the $5,000 resource limit from the total. Use $1,000 to determine the number of months of ineligibility. The household is ineligible for six months.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

The denial period begins in the application month unless the household is already certified when the advisor discovers the transfer.

Once the household is certified, the advisor must send a notice of adverse action and follow adverse action procedures. The advisor must begin the denial period the first month after the month the notice of adverse action expires unless the individual requests a fair hearing and receives continued benefits.

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Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

A household is not eligible for benefits if the total value of accessible resources is over $1,000.

A household is not eligible for benefits if resources are over the limit on or after the first interview date.

If a TANF applicant/recipient fails to provide resource verification for TANF, the advisor must:

deny the TANF application, and

process the application for non-public assistance (NPA) SNAP eligibility.

A household is not eligible for benefits if the total value of countable resources (liquid resources and excess vehicle value) is over $5,000.

A household is not eligible for benefits if resources are over the limit on or after the first interview date. Additionally, striker households are ineligible if resources are over the limit the day before the strike.

A child is not eligible for benefits if the total value of accessible resources is over:

$3,000 in households with a member who is aged or has a disability and meets relationship requirements; or

$2,000 for all other households.

Advisors must use the SNAP definitions of aged and disability found in B-431 , Definition of Elderly, and B-432 , Definition of Disability. The individual who is aged or has a disability does not have to be part of the Medical Programs budget group, but must meet relationship requirements.

A child is not eligible for benefits if resources are over the limit on the process date. In determining eligibility for a prior month, the household is not eligible if resources are over the limit anytime during the prior month.

General Policy, A-1210 Prepaid Burial Insurance, A-1233.2 Vehicles, A-1238 How to Determine Fair Market Value of Vehicles, A-1238.5 General Policy, A-1310 Categorically Eligible Households, B-470

Revision 03-3; Effective April 1, 2003

Revision 07-4; Effective October 1, 2007

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Advisors must count the cash value of checking and savings accounts unless exempt for another reason.

Payments Exempt as a Resource While Being Considered Income, A-1243 Inaccessible Resources, A-1241

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Advisors must count the cash value of benefits in a debit account, less amounts deposited in the current month, as a resource. Government benefit payments may be deposited into a debit account. Advisors must verify the balance in the account using the most current information.

The most common debit accounts established for deposit of government benefits are the:

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cash accounts for TANF benefits;

unemployment insurance benefits (UIB) debit accounts;

Texas debit card accounts for child support payments, Office of Attorney General (OAG);

debit card accounts for child support payments from other states; and

Direct Express card debit accounts for Social Security; Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance (RSDI); or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits payments.

This list is not intended to be all inclusive as more agencies and businesses move toward the use of debit cards to issue benefits.

Account inquiry is accessible to:

TANF recipients by calling the Lone Star Help Desk automated voice response system at 1-800-777-7EBT (1-800-777-7328);

UIB recipients online at https://www.usbankreliacard.com/ or at any automated teller machine (ATM) free of charge;

child support recipients online at www.EPPICard.com ;

Social Security recipients online at www.USDirectExpress.com , by calling 1-888-741-1115, or balance information may be obtained free of charge at any ATM that displays the MasterCard® logo.

Exception: See A-1248, Resources of TANF and SSI Recipients .

Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI), A-1324.16 Supplemental Security Income (SSI), A-1324.17 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), A-1324.18 Unemployment Compensation, A-1324.19 Counting Child Support, A-1326.2.1 Client Inquiries, B-382

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Staff must use the following policy to determine whether an IDA is a countable or exempt resource.

TANF IDAs — TANF IDAs must be used for one of the following purposes:

paying for a college education,

purchasing a home, or

starting a business.

The household is not required to be a TANF recipient to qualify for an IDA, but the household must be financially needy and have a child living with the custodial parent or other adult relative who meets the TANF relationship criteria or the household must consist of a pregnant woman.

The household is considered financially needy if the household is eligible to receive TANF, SNAP, or any Medical Program except TP 56. For TP 56, the household is considered financially needy if its gross income is below 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Limit (FPIL).

Any earnings, including Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC), deposited in a TANF IDA must be excluded from resources. Any interest earned on the account must be excluded from resources. Any deposits into an IDA not made with earnings, or withdrawals from an IDA that are not made for an allowable qualifying purpose, should count as a resource.

Assets for Independence Act (AFIA) IDAs — AFIA IDAs are funded and authorized under the AFIA and must meet one of the same qualifying purposes as TANF IDAs. Any earnings, including EIC, deposited in an AFIA IDA must be excluded from resources. Any interest earned on the account must also be excluded from resources. Any deposits into an IDA not made with earnings, or withdrawals from an IDA that are not made for an allowable qualifying purpose, should count as a resource.

Other IDAs — These IDAs do not meet one of the qualifying purposes of paying for a college education, purchasing a home, or starting a business and should be counted as a resource. The interest earned on these accounts must be counted as unearned income.

For any type of IDA, matched funds are not counted as a resource, as they are not accessible to the household.

Exception: IDAs are exempted if Long Term Care certifies them as meeting the Social Security criteria for a Plan to Achieve Self-Sufficiency (PASS).

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

A retirement account is one in which an employee and/or the employer contributes money for retirement. There are several types of retirement plans.

Some of the most common plans authorized under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) Code are the 401(k) plan, Keogh, Roth individual retirement account (IRA), and a pension or traditional benefit plan. Common plans under Section 408 of the IRS Code are the IRA, Simple IRA, and Simplified Employer Plan.

A 401(k) plan allows an employee to postpone receiving a portion of current income until retirement.

An IRA is an account in which an individual contributes money to supplement the individual’s retirement income (regardless of the individual’s participation in a group retirement plan).

A Keogh plan is an IRA for a self-employed individual.

A Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan is an IRA owned by an employee to which an employer makes contributions or an IRA owned by a self-employed individual who makes contributions for the individual’s self.

A pension or traditional defined benefit plan is employer-based and promises a certain benefit upon retirement regardless of investment performance.

The following retirement accounts or plans are excluded:

Accounts established under Internal Revenue Code of 1986, Sections 401(a), 403(a), 403(b), 408, 408A, 457(b), 501(c)(18);

Plans established under the Federal Thrift Savings Plan, Section 8439, Title 5, United States Code; and

Other retirement accounts determined to be tax exempt under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Any other retirement accounts not established under plans or codes listed above are counted.

Lump-Sum Payments, A-1242

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Internal Revenue Service Code, Section 529 and 530, Coverdell Education Tuition Savings Plans, which provide special tax benefits for school tuition savings accounts, are exempt.

Section 529 qualified tuition programs allow owners to prepay a student's education expenses or contribute to an account to pay those expenses. Examples of Section 529 accounts are:

Texas College Savings Plan;

LoneStar 529 Plan; and

Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan (formerly the Texas Tomorrow Fund).

A Coverdell Education Savings Account is a trust or custodial account set up in the U.S. for the sole purpose of paying qualified education expenses for the designated beneficiary of the account. There is no limit to the number of accounts that can be established for a beneficiary. The designated beneficiary must be under age 18 at the time the account is established. The plan may be for elementary school through college.

Revision 17-1; Effective January 1, 2017

Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) programs allow individuals who become blind or disabled before age 26 to establish tax-free savings accounts for the designated beneficiary's disability-related expenses.

Funds held in an ABLE account are excluded from countable resources when determining eligibility.

Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Accounts; A-1326.25

Revision 17-4; Effective October 1, 2017

School-Based Savings Accounts are accounts set up by students or their parents at financial institutions that partner with school districts. The accounts are intended to help students save for higher education.

Funds in School-Based Savings Accounts are exempt up to an amount set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) each year. The current exempt amount is $11,896. Count any excess over the exempt amount as a resource.

Note: This amount is updated annually.

The total amount of funds in a School-Based Savings Account is exempt.

School-Based Savings Accounts, A-1326.26

Revision 07-4; Effective October 1, 2007

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Crime victim's compensation payments are exempt from resources.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Federal tax refunds and EIC payments are exempt from resources for a period of 12 months after receipt.

Federal Tax Refunds and Earned Income Tax Credits (EIC), A-1323.5.1

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Payments or allowances made under any federal law for the purpose of energy assistance are exempt.

Energy Assistance, A-1326.3

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Federal disaster payments and comparable disaster assistance provided by states, local governments, and disaster assistance organizations if the household is subject to legal penalties when the funds are not used as intended (including temporary employment of six months or less for disaster-related work, paid under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and funded by the National Emergency Grant) are exempt.

Examples :

Payments by the Individual and Family Grant Program or Small Business Administration to rebuild a home or replace personal possessions damaged in a disaster.

Payments from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist with rent.

Government Disaster Payments, A-1324.3

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Transitional living allowances are exempt.

Transitional Living Allowance, A-1324.5

Revision 20-3; Effective July 1, 2020

The following payments resulting from Public Laws are exempt:

Payments to Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians (Public Law [PL] 94-540).

Payments to Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians received according to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 (PL 96-420, Section 9(c)).

Payments to members of the Seneca Nation (PL 101-503).

Payments to Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakima Indian Nation and the Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation, received from the Indian Claims Commission (PL 95-433).

Payments made under the Sac and Fox Indian Claims Agreement (PL 94-189).

Payments received by certain Indian tribal members under PL 94-114, Section 6, for submarginal lands held in trust by the United States.

Payments from Indian lands held jointly with the tribe or land that can be sold only with approval of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The following distributions and payments are exempt:

Distributions from native corporations made under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) (PL 92-203 and Section 15 of PL 100-241), as follows: cash up to $2,000 per person per calendar year; stocks; a partnership interest; land or interest in land; or an interest in a settlement trust.

Payments (and any initial purchases made with such funds) distributed by the Secretary of the Interior to families or individual tribal members (PL 93-134) including: tribal trust funds distributed to individual members of an Indian tribe (PL 98-64); judgment funds up to $2,000 per year, per person, granted to a tribe because of claims against the United States and held in trust or distributed per capita (PL 93-134 as amended by PL 97-458); payments up to $2,000 per year to heirs of deceased Indians made under the Old Age Assistance Claims Settlement Act (PL 98-500); and payments distributed per capita to or held in trust for members of any Indian tribe under PL 92-254.

The following four types of property belonging to a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe are exempt:

Property, which may be real property and improvements, that is held in trust located on a reservation, including any federally recognized Indian tribe reservation, pueblo or colony. Property may be located on former reservations in Oklahoma, in Alaska native regions established by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and on Indian allotments on or near a reservation as designated and approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

For any federally recognized tribe not listed in the previous item, property located on a past federally recognized reservation.

Ownership interests in rents, leases, royalties, or usage rights related to natural resources that are federally protected by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Ownership or usage rights to property not in the previous items that have unique religious, spiritual, traditional or cultural significance, or ownership or usage rights that allow the continuation of the Indian lifestyle according to tribal law or custom.

Revision 03-7; Effective October 1, 2003

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Exempt Veterans Affairs (VA) payments made under PL 104-204.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Exempt VA payments made under PL 106-419.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Payments to civilians relocated during wartime made under Title I of PL 100-383 are exempt. These payments are made to Aleuts or individuals of Japanese ancestry (or their heirs) who were relocated during World War II.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Payments made to individuals because of their status as victims of Nazi persecution are exempt.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Payments provided from the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act , PL 101-426, are exempt.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Division A, Title X, Section 1002), some World War II Filipino veterans who served in the military forces of the Government of Commonwealth of the Philippines, and their spouses, are authorized to receive one-time lump sum payments of up to $15,000.

These payments are exempt.

Revision 25-3; Effective July 1, 2025

Payments provided by the following are exempt:

The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Properties Acquisition Act of 1970.

PL 93-531, relocation assistance payments to members of the Navajo and Hopi tribes.

Relocation Assistance, A-1324.15

Revision 19-1; Effective January 1, 2019

There are two types of Relative and Other Designated Caregiver Program Payments issued by DFPS. These include:

Kinship Reimbursement payments; and

Post-Permanent Managing Conservatorship Annual Reimbursement payments.

The remaining balance of both of these types of payments is considered a resource in the month(s) after receipt.

Relative and Other Designated Caregiver Program Payments, A-1324.21

Revision 03-5; Effective July 1, 2003

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

The cash value of life insurance policies is exempt.

Revision 21-2; Effective April 1, 2021

Exempt the full cash value of a prepaid burial insurance policy, funeral plan or funeral agreement for each household member.

Exempt up to $7,500 cash value of a prepaid burial insurance policy, funeral plan, or funeral agreement for each certified household member. Count the cash value exceeding $7,500 as a liquid resource.

The person’s statement of cash value should be accepted unless the amount is questionable or close to the maximum allowable limits.

General Policy, A-1210 Limits, A-1220 Vehicles, A-1238 How to Determine Fair Market Value of Vehicles, A-1238.5 General Policy, A-1310 Categorically Eligible Households, B-470

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Financial assistance is considered as a loan if:

there is an understanding the money will be repaid, and

the individual can reasonably explain how the loan will be repaid.

These loans are exempt from resources, but assistance that is not considered a loan, such as a contribution, is counted as unearned income.

Cash Gifts and Contributions, A-1326.1 Loans (Noneducational), A-1326.7

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Exempt personal possessions .

Revision 03-1; Effective January 1, 2003

Revision 23-1; Effective Jan 1, 2023

Exempt one burial plot per household member.

Prepaid Burial Insurance, A-1233.2

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

The usual residence and surrounding property not separated by property owned by others is exempt. The exemption remains in effect if public rights of way, such as roads, separate the surrounding property from the home. The homestead exemption applies to any structure the individual uses as a primary residence, including additional buildings on contiguous land, a houseboat, or a motor home, as long as the household lives in it. If the household does not live in the structure, the structure is counted it as a resource. Houseboats and motor homes count according to vehicle policy, if not considered the household's primary residence or otherwise exempt. The equity value of extra buildings counts unless the buildings are exempt for another reason.

For households that currently do not own a home, but own or are purchasing a lot on which they intend to build, the lot and partially completed home are exempt.

Households cannot claim real property outside Texas as a homestead. Exception: Migrants and itinerant workers who meet the residence requirements in A-710, General Policy , may claim an exemption for a homestead outside Texas.

All homesteads and property are exempt.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

A homestead temporarily unoccupied because of employment, training for future employment, illness (including receiving medical treatment), casualty (fire, flood, state of disrepair, etc.), or natural disaster, if the household intends to return, is exempt.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Money remaining from the sale of a homestead is counted as a resource.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Income-producing property is any real or personal property that generates income. Property is exempt if the property:

is essential to a household member's employment or self-employment, such as tools of a trade, farm machinery, stock, and inventory (this property continues to be exempt during temporary periods of unemployment if the individual expects to return to work);

annually produces income consistent with a fair market value comparable in the community, even if used only on a seasonal basis such as rental property (to determine that the income produced is comparable to the fair market value for similar usage of real property in the area, eligibility staff may contact local realtors, tax assessors, the Small Business Administration or similar sources); or

is necessary for the maintenance or use of a vehicle exempted as income-producing or as necessary for transporting a household member with a physical disability. The portion of the property used for this purpose is exempt.

Note : For farmers or fishermen, the value of land or equipment continues to be exempt for one year from the date that the self-employment ceases.

Revision 19-4; Effective October 1, 2019

Equity value of real property counts unless it is otherwise exempt.

Any portion of real property directly related to the maintenance or use of a vehicle is exempt if the vehicle is:

necessary for self-employment ; or

to transport a household member with a physical disability.

The equity value of any remaining portion counts unless it is otherwise exempt.

Real property is exempt.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Real property is exempt if the household is making a good faith effort to sell it.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Property jointly owned by the household applying and other individuals not applying for or receiving benefits is exempt if the:

household provides proof they cannot sell or divide the property without consent of the other owners; and

other owners will not sell or divide the property.

Jointly owned property is exempt.

Solely Owned Vehicles, A-1238.1

Revision 24-2; Effective April 1, 2024

Trust funds are exempt if all the following conditions are met:

The trust arrangement is unlikely to end during the certification period.

No household member can revoke the trust agreement or change the name of the beneficiary during the certification period.

The trustee of the fund is either a: court, institution, corporation or organization not under the direction or ownership of a household member; or court-appointed person who has court-imposed limitations placed on the use of the funds which meet the requirements of this section; and

The trust investments do not directly involve or help any business or corporation under the control, direction or influence of a household member.

Trusts established from the household's own funds are exempt if the trustee uses the funds only to: make investments on behalf of the trust; or pay the education or medical expenses of the beneficiary.

Revision 24-2; Effective April 1, 2024

The total value of all licensed vehicles used for income-producing purposes is exempt. A vehicle is considered income-producing if:

used as a taxi, a farm truck or fishing boat;

used to make deliveries as part of the person's employment;

used to make calls on people or customers;

required by the terms of employment; or

the vehicle produces income consistent with its fair market value.

A vehicle necessary to transport a household member with a physical disability on the Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) or a person with a physical disability living in the home is exempt even if the person is disqualified and regardless of the purpose of the trip. No more than one vehicle for each household member with a physical disability may be exempt. There is no requirement that the vehicle be used primarily for the person with a physical disability. The SNAP work-registration criteria should be used to determine physical disability for this exclusion.

Note: These exemptions remain in effect when the vehicle is temporarily not in use.

The following vehicles are exempt even when the vehicle is temporarily not in use:

vehicles necessary for long-distance travel for employment such as the vehicle of a traveling salesperson or of a migrant farm worker who is following the migrant stream which does not include daily commuting;

vehicles used as the household's home; and

vehicles necessary to carry fuel for heating or water when it is anticipated to be the primary source of fuel or water for the household during the certification period.

Examples of situations where a vehicle may be exempt because it is necessary to carry the household's primary source of water or fuel for heating include:

homes which do not have any connected utilities; or

homes connected to utilities, but the utilities cannot be used for some reason, such as a verifiable health risk exists if the household drinks the water or the utilities are disconnected because the household failed to pay its bills.

The vehicle exemption remains in effect until the above criteria no longer exist. The vehicle exemption also remains in effect for:

any licensed vehicle with equity value $1,500 or less;

one vehicle with a Fair Market Value (FMV) less than $8,700 for each adult household member, regardless of how the vehicle is used*; and

any other licensed vehicle with an FMV less than $8,700 that a person under 18 drives to work, training, school or to seek employment.*

*This also applies to any person who is an ineligible alien or disqualified member of the SNAP household. The FMV of each vehicle over of $8,700 is counted as a resource.

For all other licensed and unlicensed vehicles, the FMV over $8,700 is counted as a resource.

Up to $22,500 of the FMV for the highest valued countable vehicle is exempt. The FMV over $22,500 is counted as a resource.

Vehicles with an FMV of less than $4,650 are excluded, regardless of the number of vehicles owned by a TANF-certified or disqualified household member. The FMV over $4,650 counts toward the household's resource limit.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

A vehicle with a title registered solely in one person's name is considered an accessible resource for that person. This includes:

vehicles involved in community property issues when one person's name is on the title; and

a vehicle registered solely in the individual's name that the individual claims to have purchased for someone else.

Exceptions: The vehicle is inaccessible if the title holder verifies that:

the vehicle was sold but the name on the title has not been transferred to the buyer (in this situation, the vehicle belongs to the buyer);

Note: Any payments made by the buyer to the individual or the individual's creditors (directly) count as self-employment income (see A-1323.4, Self-Employment ).

the vehicle was sold but the buyer has not transferred the title into the buyer's name;

the vehicle was repossessed;

the vehicle was stolen; or

the title holder filed for bankruptcy (Title 7, 11 or 13), and the individual is not claiming the vehicle as exempt from the bankruptcy estate. Note: In most bankruptcy petitions, the court will allow each adult individual to keep one vehicle as exempt for the bankruptcy estate. This vehicle is a countable resource.

A vehicle is accessible to an individual even though the title is not in the individual's name if the individual:

purchased or is purchasing the vehicle from the person who is the title holder; or

is legally entitled to the vehicle through an inheritance or divorce settlement.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Vehicles jointly owned with another person not applying for or receiving benefits are considered inaccessible if the other owner is not willing to sell the vehicle.

Exception: See A-1247 , Resources of Stepparents.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

The value of a vehicle over 20 years old is exempt if the value is not available. If the applicant provides the value for a vehicle older than 20 years, the amount provided should be accepted. Note: A vehicle’s age during any month of that year should be considered.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

A person leasing a vehicle is not generally considered the owner of the vehicle because the:

vehicle does not have any equity value,

person cannot sell the vehicle, and

title remains in the leasing company's name.

A leased vehicle is exempt until the individual exercises the option to purchase the vehicle. Once the individual becomes the owner of the vehicle, the vehicle counts as a resource.

The individual is the owner of the vehicle if the title is in the individual's name, even if the individual and the dealer refer to the vehicle as leased, and the vehicle counts as a resource.

Revision 24-2; Effective April 1, 2024

Determine the FMV of licensed vehicles using the average wholesale value listed in the Vehicles Registered at Address report on the Data Broker Combined Report. After the vehicle value is verified, it does not have to be re-verified unless resources are close to the resource limit and a change in the vehicle value results in a change in eligibility status. Note: If the household claims the listed value does not apply because the vehicle is in less-than-average condition, the household must provide proof of the true value from a reliable source, such as a bank loan officer or a local licensed car dealer.

The basic value of a vehicle is not increased because of low mileage, optional equipment or special equipment for a person with a disability.

The household's estimate of the value of vehicles no longer listed in the Data Broker System should be accepted unless it is questionable and would affect the household's eligibility. In this case, the household must provide an appraisal from a licensed car dealer or other evidence of the vehicle's, such as a tax assessment or a newspaper advertisement indicating the sale value of similar vehicles.

Determine the value of new vehicles not listed on the Data Broker Combined Report by asking the household to provide an estimate of the average wholesale value from a new car dealer or bank loan officer. If this cannot be done, the person’s estimate should be accepted unless it is questionable and would affect eligibility. The vehicle’s loan value should be used only if other sources are unavailable. Household’s must provide proof of the value of licensed antiques and custom made or classic vehicles if an accurate appraisal cannot be made.

Type of Vehicles SNAP TANF, Children on TP 32 and Children on TP 56 Income-producing Exempt Exempt Vehicle for a person with a physical disability living in the home Exempt Exempt Equity value less than or equal to $1,500 Exempt Not applicable Long distance travel for employment Exempt Exempt up to $4,650 of FMV. Count excess. Household's home Exempt Exempt up to $4,650 of FMV. Count excess. Carry fuel or water Exempt Exempt up to $4,650 of FMV. Count excess. Primary vehicle or Highest valued countable vehicle Exempt up to $22,500 of FMV. Count excess. Exempt up to $4,650 of FMV. Count excess. One vehicle for each adult household member, regardless of use Exempt up to $8,700 of FMV. Count excess. Exempt up to $4,650 of FMV. Count excess. Any vehicle used by a household member under 18 for employment, training, education or to seek employment Exempt up to $8,700 of FMV. Count excess. Exempt up to $4,650 of FMV. Count excess. Other licensed vehicles Exempt up to $8,700 of FMV. Count excess. Exempt up to $4,650 of FMV. Count excess. Unlicensed vehicles Exempt up to $8,700 of FMV. Count excess. Exempt up to $4,650 of FMV. Count excess.

Vehicles, A-1238

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Educational assistance (including education loans, regardless of the source) is exempt during the period it is intended to cover. If the individual combines the educational assistance with other countable funds, such as a bank account, the educational assistance is exempt during the period that it is intended to cover. For example, educational assistance intended for the months of January through May is an exempt resource during the same months.

Educational Assistance, A-1322.1

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

The equity value of resources that are not legally available (inaccessible) to the household are exempt.

Examples: Irrevocable trust funds, property in probate, security deposits on rental property and utilities, and the balance of a note from the sale of property.

Money received from a nonmember is inaccessible if:

it is intended and used only for a nonmember's benefit, and

the individual can provide verification of the intent and use of the money.

This includes any bank account that a household member has access to. A bank account is considered inaccessible if the money in the account is used solely for the nonmember's benefit.

The household must provide verification that the bank account is used solely for the nonmember's benefit and that no household members use the money in the account for their benefit. If household members use any of the money for their benefit, the bank account must be considered accessible to the household.

A temporarily inaccessible resource is exempt until the resource is accessible. Government savings bonds are an example of a temporarily inaccessible resource. These types of savings plans are usually inaccessible for a definite time from the date the individual makes a withdrawal request. The date the household applies is used as the date of the withdrawal request, unless the household has a withdrawal request pending at the time of application. For these pending withdrawals, the date of the actual withdrawal request is used to determine the length of time the resource is inaccessible.

Solely Owned Vehicles, A-1238.1 Jointly Owned Vehicles, A-1238.2 Bank Accounts, A-1231.1

Revision 17-1; Effective January 1, 2017

Nonliquid resources, except vehicles, are exempt. Vehicle policy in A-1238 , Vehicles, applies.

Count the equity value of nonliquid resources.

Revision 22-3; Effective July 1, 2022

Countable lump-sum payments include, but are not limited to, retroactive lump-sum RSDI , public assistance, retirement benefits, lump-sum insurance settlements, refunds of security deposits on rental property or utilities and lump-sum child support payments.

Lump-sum payments received once a year or less frequently are counted as resources in the month received, unless specifically excluded by other policies.

Lump-sum payments received or anticipated more often than once a year are counted as unearned income in the month received.

If a portion of a lump sum will be received as ongoing income, the ongoing portion is counted as income in the month received.

Example : A person receives a lump-sum payment in the amount of $4,950 from the Social Security Administration in the month of March. Effective that same month, the person receives their first monthly RSDI payment of $950, which is included in the $4,950 lump-sum payment. Budget the $950 RSDI payment beginning with the month of March as an ongoing payment and consider the $4,000 as a lump-sum payment.

Exceptions :

Federal tax refunds and EITC s are exempt from resources for a period of 12 months after receipt.

If a person is scheduled to receive retroactive SSI benefits in installment payments of up to three payments, paid every six months: the payments count as a resource in the month received if the person is not a current SSI recipient; and the payments are excluded if the person is a current SSI recipient.

Cash Gifts and Contributions, A-1326.1 Lump-Sum Payments, A-1331

The One-Time Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (OTTANF) payment is exempt from resources for the month of receipt because the household is a TANF recipient that month. Any remaining OTTANF benefits are considered a resource the month after receipt.

A One-Time TANF for Relatives payment is a resource of the TANF-certified child or children and is exempt from resources.

When Receipt of TANF Is Uncertain, A-161 Resources of TANF and SSI Recipients, A-1248

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

If a payment or benefit counts as income for a particular month, it is not counted as a resource in the same month. If you prorate a payment as income over several months, no portion of the payment is considered a resource during that time.

Example: Income of students or self-employed persons that is prorated over several months.

If the individual combines this money with countable funds, such as a bank account, the prorated amounts are exempt for the time prorated.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Reimbursements are counted as a resource in the month after receipt.

Reimbursements earmarked and used for replacing or repairing an exempt resource are exempt indefinitely.

Reimbursements, A-1332

Revision 19-1; Effective January 1, 2019

Resources of an alien's sponsor and spouse (if the spouse also signed an affidavit of support) must be evaluated. The sponsor's countable resources must be determined when determining the applicant's resources. The total value of these resources must be reduced by $1,500. See the Glossary for the definition of an alien sponsor.

The remainder must be added to the alien's countable resources. If someone sponsors more than one alien, the amount of countable resources is prorated evenly among all the aliens who apply for or get benefits.

This policy does not apply to sponsored aliens who:

are under age 18;

are ineligible for benefits (examples include those who are disqualified from getting benefits or those considered non-members, such as students who do not meet SNAP student eligibility criteria);

have become naturalized U.S. citizens;

have worked or can receive credit for 40 quarters of work;

have a deceased sponsor;

have a sponsor who is a member of the alien’s household or Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) household composition;

are refugees, parolees, asylum grantees, Amerasians, victims of severe trafficking or Cuban or Haitian entrants;

are battered alien spouses of U.S. citizens or of legal permanent residents, children of battered aliens, or parents of battered children, if HHSC determines the battery is substantially related to the need for benefits; and the battered person does not live with the batterer; or

are indigent. Notes: The criterion for indigent aliens applies only if the alien does not meet one of the other exceptions noted in this list. Only the amount the sponsor will give the alien for a 12-month period starting the date HHSC makes the indigence determination should be deemed. Each determination is renewable for additional 12-month periods. Each time a determination of indigence is made, a memo must be sent with the name, address, Social Security number and date of birth, of both the indigent alien and the indigent alien’s sponsor, to Texas Works Policy Section, 909 W. 45th St., Bldg. 2, Mail Code 2115, Austin , TX 78751. Before sending the memo, explain to the sponsored alien that regulations require the state to report the sponsor to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for failure to give support as required on the sponsor affidavit. The alien may choose to have the sponsor's resources deemed if the alien does not want the state office to send this report. The sponsor's resources must not be deemed for 12 months for battered aliens, starting the month the alien is certified for any benefit. A new 12-month period must not be assigned if the alien reapplies after denial of benefits. After the first 12 months, the sponsor's resources continue to be exempt from deeming if: a court or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services recognize the battery; HHSC determines the battery has a substantial connection to the need for benefits; and the alien does not live with the batterer. The following list of circumstances may be used as a guide in making the substantial connection between the battery and the need for benefits. Staff may determine whether the battered alien needs the benefits: to become self-sufficient after leaving the abuser; to escape the abuser, the community where the abuser lives, or both; to ensure the battered alien’s safety; to replace financial support lost as a result of the separation from the abuser; because of the loss of a job or reduced earnings resulting from the battery or cruelty; because the battered alien needs medical attention or mental health counseling or now has a disability due to the battery; because the battered alien lost the home, and the separation from the abuser jeopardizes the battered alien's ability to care for the children; to reduce nutritional risks; to get medical care for a pregnancy resulting from sexual assault or abuse; or to replace medical coverage or health care services.

This policy does not apply to:

sponsored aliens whose sponsors get TANF or SSI; or

the dependent child of a sponsor or sponsor's spouse.

This policy does not apply to:

sponsored aliens whose sponsors get SNAP as a member of the same household; or

organizations or groups that sponsor aliens.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Resources of residents in shelters for battered persons are exempt if:

the resources are jointly owned by the household in the shelter and members of the former household; and

the shelter resident's access to the value of the resource depends on the agreement of a joint owner who still lives in the resident's former household.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

All resources of a stepparent must be counted if the stepparent is included in the certified group. When the stepparent is not included in the certified group, only the legal parent's half of a jointly owned resource should be counted.

When a stepparent is included in the child's household composition, all resources of a stepparent are counted.

Earnings of a New TANF Spouse, A-1249.2

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

The resources of an SSI recipient living in the home, even when the resources are available to the TANF-certified member or Medical Programs household member, are exempt if:

the SSI recipient would otherwise be a certified member in the TANF or Medical Programs EDG;

the SSI recipient would otherwise be someone whose income is: applied to the TANF budget; or included in the Medical Programs household composition; or

a TANF-certified or disqualified person or member of the Medical Programs household composition is the SSI recipient's payee.

This policy applies to:

people who continue to receive SSI Medicaid when their SSI financial assistance is denied because of earnings; and

children who receive SSI Medicaid that the person chooses not to include in the TANF-certified group.

If other SSI recipients live in the home and contribute to a member of the TANF-certified group, disqualified group or Medical Programs household composition, follow policy for cash gifts and contributions.

Exempt the resources of TANF and SSI recipients unless the recipient owns them with another member of the same SNAP household and that other member does not receive TANF or SSI.

Note: Consider a household member a TANF or SSI recipient, even if the benefit:

has not yet been received;

is suspended; or

is being recouped.

When a TANF or SSI recipient owns a resource with a member of the same SNAP household who does not receive TANF or SSI, determine countable resources as follows:

Nonliquid resources — Exempt the TANF or SSI recipient's portion of a nonliquid resource if the recipient jointly owns it with another member of the SNAP household.

Liquid resources — Exempt or count liquid resources according to the following guidelines: Commingled resources — Exempt the TANF or SSI recipient's portion of commingled resources for six months from the month the person combined them. After six months, count the total amount of commingled resources as an available resource to the non-TANF or SSI recipient if it remains accessible. Jointly owned resources (not commingled) — Exempt these resources if all the contributed money is from a TANF or SSI recipient and the resource is solely for: expenses of the TANF or SSI recipient; or common household expenses.

Cash Gifts and Contributions, A-1326.1

Revision 04-1; Effective January 1, 2004

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Staff must exempt any liquid resources resulting from the earnings of a child (certified child for TANF or eligible child for Medical Programs) who is attending school:

full time, or

less than full time and employed less than 30 hours a week.

Note: A child who is home schooled or attends general equivalency diploma (GED) classes is eligible for the resource exclusion.

Resources of a child that are commingled with resources of other household or non-household members are excluded. The child's liquid resources are exempt for six months from the month the resources were combined. After six months, the amounts previously earned as a resource are counted.

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

The liquid resources of a TANF recipient's new spouse are excluded for six months beginning the month after the date of the marriage if the:

resource results from the new spouse's earnings, and

total gross income of the budget group does not exceed 200 percent FPIL for the family size.

Note: This applies to both ceremonial and common law marriages. The following are included in the budget group:

the caretaker or payee of the TANF-certified group;

the new spouse of the TANF caretaker or payee;

each dependent of the TANF caretaker or payee and the new spouse who meets the TANF age and relationship requirements and lives in the household; and

anyone who would be a required member if not disqualified or ineligible such as an SSI recipient or ineligible alien.

If the household fails to provide verification of the marriage, the exclusion is not allowed. After six months, the amount previously earned is counted as a resource.

Revision 16-2; Effective April 1, 2016

Staff must verify:

resources if: they are questionable, the value is within $300 of the maximum allowable limit, or it is a regional requirement.

all checking or savings accounts at application or when a household reports a new account (except SNAP, see below).

that inaccessible resources, including bank accounts: are used solely for the non-member's benefit, and that no household members use the money for their benefit.

a person’s statement about the inaccessibility of a vehicle if it is within $300 of the resource limit.

the fair market value of licensed vehicles as explained in A-1238.5, How to Determine Fair Market Value of Vehicles .

an exempt trust fund that meets conditions in A-1237, Trust Funds .

the exempt or countable status of an education and/or retirement plan or account at application or when a household reports a new account.

the death of an alien's sponsor (does not apply to children on TP 32).

Staff must verify a good faith effort to sell by verifying that the:

property is for sale, and

household has not refused a reasonable offer.

Staff must verify:

the equity value of a licensed vehicle if exempting the vehicle because the equity value is less than or equal to $1,500.

a bank account if verification can be obtained during the interview. If verification cannot be obtained during the interview, the person’s statement may be accepted without verification if: the person states that the household's total combined balance for all accounts does not exceed $1,000; and the person’s statement is not questionable.

The EDG is pended only if the reported account balance exceeds $1,000 or the person’s statement is questionable.

Staff must verify:

the date of marriage between a TANF recipient and new spouse. The date of marriage is used to determine the six-month period in which the new spouse's earnings can be excluded as a resource.

the amount of liquid resources resulting from the earnings of a new TANF spouse.

Revision 21-1; Effective January 1, 2021

Vehicles

Data Broker System;

statements from: finance company or bank; insurance agent; car dealers; or Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV);

city or county government records; or

newspapers.

Real Property

statements from: tax appraisal or collector office; county courthouse official; real estate company; bank or financial institution; local land owners (nonrelative); or county agent.

The Texas Bureau of Vital Statistics (BVS), if available, is considered the primary source of verification of death. If BVS is available but the date of death (DOD) does not match reported information, accept BVS as verification. No additional verification is required.

If BVS verification is not available, verify the DOD using two of the following sources:

Social Security Administration (SSA);

statement from guardian or authorized representative;

copy of death certificate;

statement from a doctor;

newspaper death notice (obituary);

statement from a relative or household member;

statement from funeral director; or

records from the hospital or other institution where the person died.

Bank Account

current bank statements (within last three months), or

statement from bank official.

Debit Account

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cash accounts via the: EBT System; or Lone Star Help Desk automated voice response system at 800-777-7328, if staff have the cardholder's 19-digit personal account number (PAN);

Unemployment Insurance Benefit (UIB) debit accounts via: online at usbankreliacard.com ; or any bank ATM;

Texas Office of Attorney General (OAG) child support debit accounts online at EPPICard.com ; or

Social Security Direct Express card (RSDI or SSI) debit accounts via: online at USDirectExpress.com ; calling the Direct Express card help desk automated voice response system at 888-741-1115, if the advisor has the cardholder's 16-digit card number; or current receipt (free of charge) from any ATM that displays the MasterCard® logo.

Other Liquid Assets/Personal Property

recent sales slips;

insurance or tax appraisals;

catalogs or newspaper;

statements from: experts or other collectors; bank; brokers; or local merchants;

retirement benefit letters; or

education plan or account benefits summary letters.