16.01 Medicaid1

In general (1) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, as a condition of Medicaid eligibility, each individual (including children) seeking Medicaid must furnish their Social Security number. (2) AHS will advise the individual of: (i) The statute or other authority under which it is requesting the individual’s Social Security number; and (ii) The uses that will be made of each Social Security number, including its use for verifying income, eligibility, and amount of medical assistance payments under §§ 53.00 through 56.00. (3) If an individual cannot recall their Social Security number or Social Security numbers or has not been issued a Social Security number, AHS will: (i) Assist the individual in completing an application for a Social Security number; (ii) Obtain evidence required under SSA regulations to establish the age, the citizenship or non- citizenship status, and the true identity of the individual; and (iii) Either send the application to SSA or, if there is evidence that the individual has previously been issued a Social Security number, request SSA to furnish the number. (4) Services to an otherwise eligible individual will not be denied or delayed pending issuance or verification of the individual’s Social Security number by SSA or if the individual meets one of the exceptions in paragraph (b) of this subsection. (5) The Social Security number furnished by an individual will be verified to insure the Social Security number was issued to that individual, and to determine whether any other Social Security numbers were issued to that individual. See § 55.02(a) for information on the verification process. 1 42 CFR § 435.910. Nonfinancial eligibility requirements Part 3 – Page 2 (Sec.16.00, Sub.16.02) Exception (1) The requirement of paragraph (a)(1) of this subsection does not apply, and a Medicaid identification number will be given, to an individual who: (i) Is not eligible to receive a Social Security number; (ii) Does not have a Social Security number and may only be issued a Social Security number for a valid non-work reason in accordance with 20 CFR § 422.104; or (iii) Refuses to obtain a Social Security number because of well-established religious objections. The term “well-established religious objections” means that the individual is a member of a recognized religious sect or division of the sect, and adheres to the tenets or teachings of the sect or division of the sect and for that reason is conscientiously opposed to applying for or using a national identification number including a Social Security number. (2) The Medicaid identification number may be either a Social Security number obtained on the individual’s behalf or another unique identifier. (3) An individual who has a Social Security number is not subject to this exception and must provide such number. Social Security numbers of Medicaid non-applicants.2 AHS may request the Social Security number of a person who is not applying for Medicaid for themselves provided that: (1) Provision of such Social Security number is voluntary; (2) Such Social Security number is used only to determine an applicant’s or enrollee’s eligibility for a health- benefits program or for a purpose directly connected to the administration of the state plan; and (3) At the time such Social Security number is requested, AHS provides clear notice to the individual seeking assistance, or person acting on such individual’s behalf, that provision of the non-applicant’s Social Security number is voluntary and information regarding how the Social Security number will be used.