CHIP covers children whose family income is too high for Medicaid but too low to afford private insurance

CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) is a state-run program that pays for doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and dental work for children whose parents earn between roughly 200% and 400% of the federal poverty line. The exact income limit depends on your state — some are stricter, some more generous. Unlike Medicaid, which is federal, CHIP is run by each state, so the program name, coverage details, and enrollment process differ where you live.

You do not need to be a citizen to enroll your child, though most states require proof of state residency. The process itself is free, and there are no monthly premiums in most states, though a few charge small copays when you visit a doctor. The fastest way to find out whether your children may have access to and how to start is to contact your state's CHIP program directly — not a federal office.

Key Takeaways

  • CHIP is run by your state, not the federal government, so you contact your state's program office to learn the income limits and enroll.
  • You will need proof of your child's age and state residency, your household income from the past month or year, and your Social Security number.
  • Most states let you explore online, by mail, or by phone, and approval usually takes two to four weeks.
  • If your income changes or your child turns 19, you must report it to keep coverage active.
  • If CHIP is full or closed in your state, ask about Medicaid for your child, which has higher income limits in some states.

How to find your state's CHIP program and income limits

Start by visiting insurekids.gov, the federal portal that lists every state's CHIP program with a direct link and phone number. Type your state name, and you will see the program name (some states call it CHIP, others use names like "Peach Care" in Georgia or "Healthy Families" in California), the phone number, and the website. The income limit for your state is posted there too.

If you cannot find your state or the website is unclear, call 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-8669), a free federal line that connects you to your state's program. They can tell you the income limit, whether your child likely qualifies based on what you earn, and which documents to gather. This call takes about ten minutes and saves you from explore if your income is too high.

Write down your state's program name, phone number, and website before you start gathering documents. You will need these to contact them and to complete the process.

What documents and information you need to explore

Have these items ready before you contact your state program or start an online process:

  • Your child's birth certificate or passport (proof of age)
  • Proof your child lives in your state — a utility bill, lease, or school enrollment letter dated within the past 60 days
  • Your household's income from the past month or the past year (your state will specify which) — pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer showing gross income
  • Your Social Security number and your child's Social Security number
  • Your child's current health insurance information, if they have any

If you do not have a Social Security number for your child, you can still explore — your state will tell you how to proceed. If you do not have a birth certificate, ask your state program what other documents they accept; some take a hospital birth record or a school enrollment form.

Income limits change once a year, usually in July. If you applied before and were told your income was too high, call again in July to check whether the limit has risen.

how the process works online, by phone, or by mail

Most states offer all three routes. Online is usually fastest — you fill out a form on your state's CHIP website, upload photos of your documents, and get a decision in one to three weeks. By phone, a caseworker walks you through the questions and tells you what to mail in. By mail, you print the process from the website, fill it out by hand, and send it with copies of your documents.

If you explore online, keep your confirmation number. If you explore by phone, ask for a reference number and the name of the caseworker. If you mail it in, send it certified mail so you have proof it arrived. Your state program should contact you within two to four weeks with a decision.

If you do not hear back after four weeks, call your state program with your confirmation or reference number and ask for a status update. Sometimes applications get lost in the mail or the program needs one more document from you.

What happens after you are approved

Once approved, your state will mail you an insurance card for your child, usually within one to two weeks. The card shows your child's member ID number and the phone number to call if you have questions. You can use this card at any doctor, hospital, or pharmacy that accepts your state's CHIP program.

Coverage usually starts on the first day of the month after you are approved, though some states backdate it to the day you applied. When you call to schedule your child's first doctor visit, tell the office you have CHIP and give them the member ID number from the card.

CHIP coverage lasts for one year. Before it expires, your state will send you a renewal form in the mail. Fill it out and return it before the expiration date, or coverage will end and you will have to explore again.

What to do if your income changes or your child ages out

If your household income rises above your state's CHIP limit, your child's coverage will end. If your income drops, you may become may be able to access for Medicaid instead, which has higher income limits in most states. Either way, contact your state program to report the change — do not wait for the renewal form.

CHIP covers children up to age 18 or 19, depending on your state. When your child turns 19, coverage ends automatically. If your child will still need insurance, ask your state program about Medicaid for young adults or about staying on your own health plan if you have one.

If your address changes, tell your state program so the renewal form reaches you. If your child's name changes, report that too. These updates take a few minutes on the phone and keep your coverage from lapsing by accident.

What to do if your state's CHIP program is full or closed

Some states close CHIP enrollment when funding runs out, usually in the fall or winter. If your state's program is closed, you have two options: wait for it to reopen (usually in the spring), or check whether your child qualifies for Medicaid instead.

Medicaid income limits are higher than CHIP in most states, so a child who does not may have access to for CHIP may may have access to for Medicaid. Call your state's Medicaid office (your state program can give you the number) and ask whether your child is may be able to access. Medicaid covers the same services as CHIP and has no waiting list.

If your child does not may have access to for either program, ask about catastrophic or emergency coverage while you wait for CHIP to reopen. Some states offer limited coverage for children in this situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to enroll my child in CHIP?

No. Most states allow children who are lawful permanent residents or have other legal immigration status to enroll. Some states cover undocumented children too. Call your state program and ask — they will tell you what immigration documents they need.

What if my child already has health insurance through my job?

CHIP is usually a backup. If your job insurance is expensive or has high deductibles, your child may still may have access to for CHIP to help cover costs. Tell your state program about the job insurance when you explore — they will factor it in.

How much does CHIP cost?

Most states charge no monthly premium. A few charge $5 to $50 per month depending on income. When you visit a doctor, most states charge no copay, though some charge $1 to $5. Call your state program to ask about costs in your state.

Can I explore for CHIP if I am behind on rent or utilities?

Yes. CHIP does not check your credit or whether you owe money. It only looks at your household income and whether your child lives in the state. Financial hardship does not disqualify you.

What if I applied and was denied?

Ask your state program why. Common reasons are income too high, missing documents, or the child does not meet the age requirement. If the reason was missing documents, you can reapply once you have them. If income was the reason, you can reapply next year or ask about Medicaid.