Help Youth Formerly in Foster Care Maintain Their Medicaid
Date: 11/23/20
Youth who age out of foster care in Texas at 18 years of age or older, and who were receiving federally funded Medicaid when they aged out, are eligible to receive Medicaid until 26 years of age through Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) Medicaid. This is due to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Youth are automatically enrolled in FFCC Medicaid when they age out the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) care. For more information about FFCC Medicaid, please see Medicaid Coverage and Help with Benefits for Texans Age 18 Through 25 Who Were in Foster Care (PDF).
All Medicaid recipients, including youth formerly in foster care, must renew their Medicaid eligibility once every 12 months. This is a federal requirement. Unfortunately, youth sometimes lose their FFCC Medicaid coverage because they do not complete their annual renewal requirements. To ensure continuous Medicaid coverage until 26 years of age, youth must:
1. Provide their current mailing address to Texas Health and Human Services (HHS).
If HHS receives returned mail and cannot locate the youth, the youth’s Medicaid benefits will be denied. Youth can report their address change to HHS:
- Online through YourTexasBenefits.com.
- Via the Your Texas Benefits mobile app.
- By calling 2-1-1.
- In person at a local eligibility office
- In writing by mail or fax.
2. Respond to requests for information from HHS.
To maintain FFCC Medicaid coverage, HHS must verify that the youth is a Texas resident, and that the youth’s current immigration status if applicable. If HHS requests verification for either of these eligibility criteria and the request is ignored, the youth’s Medicaid will be denied.
Other Tips for Maintaining Continuous Medicaid Coverage
If youth have questions about their FFCC Medicaid, they can call 2-1-1 and ask to speak to a FFCC Medicaid Specialist.
- After transitioning from DFPS’ care, youth are encouraged to set up their own Your Texas Benefits online and mobile accounts. For directions for setting up an account, please see the How Do I Create an Account? webpage on the Your Texas Benefits Help Center.
- By setting up an online account, youth can apply for benefits, upload requested documents and elect to receive electronic notices. If youth receive electronic notices, they can also opt to receive a text or email reminder letting them know a notice was posted in their account.
- If youth have lost their FFCC Medicaid coverage, they can reapply using Form H1205: Texas Streamlined Application or Form H1010: Texas Works Application for Assistance -Your Texas Benefits. Youth can apply through their online account or can get an application at YourTexasBenefits.com/Learn/GetPaperForm.
- Applications can be submitted:
- By mail or fax.
- Online through YourTexasBenefits.com.
- By calling 2-1-1 and applying with a telephonic signature.
- Applications can be submitted:
- Youth can follow HHS’ Facebook or Twitter accounts, and the DFPS Youth Take Flight Instagram account to receive important announcements.
Additional Information
For any questions about FFCC Medicaid policy, please email AES_PSAD@hhsc.state.tx.us. Youth should call 2-1-1 and ask to speak to a FFCC Medicaid Specialist if they have questions about their benefits.