Follow these steps to apply for CHIP and Medicaid:

Submit your application

To apply for health coverage, you will need to fill out and submit an application to Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). You can do so online, through the mail, or over the phone. We can help you with your application in person or over the phone.

Please note you will need to submit these documents with your application:

Your child’s social security number.
Your family income within the last 30 days. (EX: check stubs, most recent income tax, W-2 form, wage forms and/or a letter from your employer.)
U.S. Birth Certificate or proof of legal residency status for your child. (Parents and/or guardians do not need to prove their citizenship status for their child to get coverage.)

Image	Online: Go to yourtexasbenefits.com to fill out and submit your application online.
Image	Mail: Download an application here. Then print, fill it out and mail it to HHSC at the following address: Texas Health and Human Services Commission PO Box 149024 Austin, TX 78714-9968
Image	Phone: Call HHSC at 2-1-1, option 2 to submit your application over the phone.
Image	In-Person Help: We can help you fill out your application! Call Application Assistance at 1-888-559-7526 from Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m-5:00 p.m. CT. If you would prefer an Application Assistance Specialist to contact you, please fill out this form. You can get in-person help with your application by visiting one of our Service Area locations. Click here to see where and when we might be in your area.

Get approved for CHIP or Medicaid.

Texas Health and Human Services Commission will reach out to you within 45 business days for CHIP or Medicaid and 15 business days for pregnancy coverage.

Here is how you can check the status of your application:

Log in to your profile at YourTexasBenefits.com.
Log into your profile through the Your Texas Benefits mobile app.
Call HHSC at 2-1-1, option 2.

Once you’ve been approved, choose a health plan and doctor!

Call 1-800-964-2777 to choose a health plan and add your Primary Care Physician (PCP). If you would like to be covered by Texas Children’s Health Plan, this is where you would make that choice. You can cover all of your children who qualify under the same health plan. You can also find doctors in our network through our “Find a Doctor” tool.

Keep your coverage!

Once you have CHIP or Medicaid coverage, keep in mind that you will have to renew your coverage each year. When it’s time, click here to learn more about the renewal process.

Why Texas Children’s Health Plan?

See what our members and teammates have to say!

Texas families have trusted Texas Children’s Health Plan for more than three generations because of our hands-on, personalized support and our top-quality network of providers. We are here for you every day to help your children get the care they need, exactly when they need it.

Hear more stories!

Get rewarded for staying healthy!

Texas Children’s Health Plan gives you access to high quality care AND rewards you for keeping track of your health! Our Healthy Rewards Program offers exciting extra benefits for your family to enjoy as we help you plan for a healthy future. Click here to learn more about these extra benefits!

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How to Apply for CHIP or Medicaid