Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

CHIP

An individual must be a U.S. citizen or alien with acceptable status to qualify for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The date of entry does not apply.

Review the alien status document from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and status code to determine the immigration/alien status. Refer to A-342, TANF and Medical Programs Alien Status Eligibility Charts.

CHIP Perinatal

A pregnant woman does not have to meet the citizenship or alien status requirements in order to be eligible for CHIP perinatal.

Applicants who possess temporary visas are eligible for CHIP perinatal as long as they meet residency eligibility requirements. See D-700, Residency.

Pregnant women potentially eligible for Medicaid who fail to provide verification of citizenship or alien status are not eligible for CHIP perinatal.

Revision 11-4; Effective October 1, 2011

CHIP, CHIP Perinatal

U.S. citizens meet the citizenship criteria for CHIP and CHIP perinatal. U.S. citizens are persons born:

• in the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, America Samoa, Swain's Island or Northern Marianna Islands; or
• abroad to at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen. The child may claim derivative citizenship.

Revision 23-2; Effective April 1, 2023

CHIP

Qualifying immigrants and non-immigrants, as defined in A-311.1, Definition of Qualified Immigrant, are eligible for CHIP regardless of the date of entry. Review the alien status document and code to determine if the child meets the immigration or alien status requirements. Refer to A-342, TANF and Medical Programs Alien Status Eligibility Charts.

CHIP Perinatal

Immigration or alien status is not applicable to CHIP perinatal.

D—441 Citizenship

Revision 11-4; Effective October 1, 2011

CHIP

CHIP applicants or recipients who declare that they are U.S. citizens must provide verification of citizenship.

Use Medicaid Programs proof/verification sources found in A-358.1, Citizenship, for citizenship and A-621, Verification Sources, for identity.

CHIP Perinatal

Citizenship is self-declared.

D—441.1 Reasonable Opportunity to Provide Citizenship and Alien Status Verification

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

CHIP

CHIP applicants or recipients who declare themselves to be a U.S. citizen or declare an alien status, but for whom verification is unavailable, must be allowed a period of reasonable opportunity explained in A-351.1, Reasonable Opportunity.

D—441.2 Using State Online Query (SOLQ) or Wire Third-Party Query (WTPY) to Verify Citizenship

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

CHIP

If an applicant has a Social Security number, use SOLQ or WTPY to verify citizenship. See A-351.2, Using State Online Query (SOLQ) or Wire Third-Party Query (WTPY) to Verify Citizenship.

D—442 Using Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program to Verify Alien Status

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

CHIP

Access the Verification Information System (VIS) through the USCIS using the Department of Homeland Security's SAVE program for verification validity.

Do not reverify an alien’s documents if the non-citizen status was previously verified and documented, and the documents have not expired. If the USCIS document is expired, and the alien wants to continue receiving or reapplies for benefits, then request updated documents. If the family fails to provide the updated documents, the child cannot receive benefits.

CHIP Perinatal

Immigration status is self-declared. The pregnant woman may be:

• a U.S. citizen,
• a lawful permanent resident, or
• an undocumented alien.

Do not trigger missing information for immigration status or date of entry.

CHIP, CHIP Perinatal

If the applicant provides documents other than those listed in A-358.2, Alien Status, take the following action to request additional verification:

• complete Form G-845, Document Verification Request;
• attach fully readable photocopies (front and back) of original immigration documents containing the alien's registration number; and
• mail one set of copies to the USCIS office serving the county of application (see the instructions to Form G-845).

If the applicant's name changed since the alien registration card was issued, the applicant must provide verification of the change.

If the alien is otherwise eligible, do not delay or deny the child's eligibility while waiting for a response from USCIS. When USCIS returns Form G-845, follow these procedures:

If the response indicates that the alien's document is...	then ...
valid,	document the detailed information and send the documents for imaging.
not valid and the child is enrolled,	take adverse action to disqualify the child or deny the case, as appropriate; and process a fraud referral.