Medicaid for Single Moms and Children in Texas
Medicaid can be a very helpful program for low-income single moms and their children in Texas. The program can help pay for critical medical needs such as checkups, primary doctor visits, x-rays, and more. Getting approved for Medicaid in Texas, however, can be difficult, especially for adults.
Table of Contents
- Can a single mom receive Medicaid in Texas?
- Medicaid for children in Texas
- What services are covered by Medicaid in Texas?
- What is the Medicaid Buy-In program?
- Medicaid alternative for kids: Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- How to apply for Medicaid in Texas
- Other services for single moms in Texas
In this article, we’ll cover what it takes to qualify for Medicaid as a single mom in Texas, what the income limits are, what options are available for kids, and how you can still get help even if you don’t qualify.
Can a single mom receive Medicaid in Texas?
Yes, a single mother can receive Medicaid in Texas, but only the lowest-income individuals, those who fall within 17% of the Federal Poverty Level, are eligible. In addition to meeting income requirements, a mother must also have a kid who qualifies for Children’s Medicaid in order to qualify for Medicaid herself.
Below are the income limits for a single mom to qualify for Medicaid in Texas in 2022.
| Members in Household (Adults and Children) | Monthly Income |
| 1 | $103 |
| 2 | $196 |
| 3 | $230 |
| 4 | $277 |
Medicaid for children in Texas
It’s easier for children to get covered by Medicaid than it is for adults, as the household income limits are significantly higher for children’s coverage than for adult coverage. Below are the monthly family income guidelines for Children’s Medicaid in Texas. Please note, that the income limits are referring to pre-tax income, which is the amount of money you earn before taxes are taken out.
| Members in Household (Adults and Children) | Monthly Income |
| 1 | $1,510 |
| 2 | $2,034 |
| 3 | $2,559 |
| 4 | $3,082 |
What services are covered by Medicaid in Texas?
Medicaid covers many vital healthcare services such as primary care visits, checkups, vaccines, x-rays, lab tests, prescription drugs, specialist visits, and more. Medicaid may also cover vision and hearing services. In addition, children with disabilities can receive long-term care through Medicaid which includes home care and stays and facilities for patients with disabilities.
What is the Medicaid Buy-In program?
If your child has a disability, but you earn too much to qualify for Children’s Medicaid in Texas, you may still be able to get help. The Medicaid Buy-In program allows children with disabilities to get the same basic services as Medicaid.
The primary difference between Children’s Medicaid and the Medicaid Buy-In program is that the services are not free. The Medicaid Buy-In program may require a monthly payment based on your household’s income. In 2022, the monthly payment for the Medicaid Buy-In program can be up to $230 per month.
The income limits for the Medicaid Buy-In Program for children can be seen in the table below.
| Members in Household (Adults and Children) | Monthly Income |
| 1 | $1,562 |
| 2 | $2,114 |
| 3 | $2,667 |
| 4 | $3,219 |
Medicaid alternative for kids: Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
If your household income is too high for your child to qualify for Children’s Medicaid, they may still be eligible for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, also known as CHIP. Children who are covered by CHIP can receive many of the same critical services covered by Medicaid, including primary care visits, x-rays, prescriptions, and more.
The main difference between CHIP and Children’s Medicaid is that CHIP does not provide long-term services like home care. In addition, while Children’s Medicaid is completely free, CHIP may include a small co-pay depending on your household income.
Below are the household income limits to qualify for the Children’s Health Insurance Program in Texas.
| Family Members (Adults and Children) | Monthly Income |
| 1 | $2,277 |
| 2 | $3,067 |
| 3 | $3,858 |
| 4 | $4,649 |
How to apply for Medicaid in Texas
You can apply for many benefits, including Medicaid, Children’s Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Plan, from the official Texas benefits website.
Other services for single moms in Texas
There are numerous other programs that can help financially-strapped single moms in Texas. Some of the programs, like TANF, can provide cash assistance in order to meet necessary expenses. Other services, such as SNAP, can help pay for food. In order to help you filter through the programs that you may qualify for, you can view our in-depth guide to assistance and grants for single moms in Texas.
