February 2, 2006

CHIP Income Eligibility Guidelines Changing

Eligibility guidelines for the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) changed Wednesday because of a recent change in the federal definition of “poverty.”

CHIP provides low-cost health insurance for eligible children up to the age of 19. The program currently covers about 12,000 Montana kids and has openings for about 2,000 more. The state Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) administers CHIP.

To be eligible for CHIP, a child’s family income must fall at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, which are calculated annually using the Consumer Price Index and statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. This year’s guidelines were released January 24 and implemented by the CHIP program on Feb.1.

“Montana families whose children did not qualify for CHIP in recent months because their incomes were a little too high may want to reapply,” said Jackie Forba, who manages the CHIP program for DPHHS.

For a family of four, the CHIP income guideline is now $30,000 a year. This compares to last year’s limit of $29,025. CHIP gives credit for some employment-related expenses, so children may be eligible even if their family income is slightly over the income guideline.

“Some working families may not realize that their children qualify for the CHIP,” Forba said. “It’s a great time to apply or reapply.”

For more information about CHIP, call toll-free 1-877-KidsNow, or 1-877-543-7669. In Helena, call 444-6971. More information is also available online at www.chip.mt.gov.

Page last updated: 06/13/2006