354-4 Foster Care Independent Living Program

Effective Date: November 1, 2019

Previous Policy

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals who were in foster care under the responsibility of the any state or tribe at age 18 can receive Medicaid from age 18 until age 21 under the Foster Care Independent Living program. Open them on the Independent Living program only if they are not eligible for the Former Foster Care Medicaid due to not receiving Medicaid while in state custody. It includes children placed in foster care by Catholic Community Services (CCS) under the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) program who turn age 18 while in that foster care program. There is no income or asset test.

These youth must meet the following criteria.

Is age 18 to 21,

Was in foster care on their 18th birthday under state custody through the Department of Health and Human Services with the Division of Child and Family Services as the lead or case management agency, CCS URM program, or in the custody of an Indian tribe,

Is not eligible for Former Foster Care Medicaid or another Medicaid program that does not require a spenddown or premium payment. The agency must move an eligible youth to Foster Care Independent Living program when eligibility under a different Medicaid program, such as Child Medicaid, ends,

Is identified by DCFS, DHHS CCS or a tribe through electronic or written verification as someone who was in foster care on his or her 18th birthday, and

Was not in the custody of the Division of Juvenile Justice Services on his or her 18th birthday.

Application & Assignment of Rights; Signature Required