Can Teen Parents Get Mass Health and Food Stamps? MassHealth A parenting minor/adult qualifies for MassHealth (formerly called Medicaid) if his/her income is below 133% of the federal poverty level. If her infant is below 1 year of age, the child is eligible if the family income is below 185% of the poverty level. A pregnant minor/woman is also eligible for MassHealth if her income is below 185% of the poverty level. She is also considered "presumptively eligible" for MassHealth (meaning she can go to a physician and get prenatal care pending approval by MassHealth). If a minor teen lives with her natural or adoptive parents, their income is not counted for MassHealth if her parents either do not know about or refuse to provide medical care to the teen. Once the teen turns age 18, her parent's income is not considered at all. A pregnant or parenting teen gets MassHealth automatically when she applies for TAFDC. If denied TAFDC or if she chooses to not receive TAFDC, a teen can file a separate application for MassHealth by calling 1.800.841.2900. If a pregnant minor is not eligible for MassHealth for some reason (excess income or alien status rules), she may be eligible for Healthy Start coverage which provides prenatal care during her pregnancy. Special MassHealth coverage is also available to Massachusetts residents who are 18 to 65, unemployed or underemployed and without health insurance. A teen who is not pregnant or parenting and needs health care should be advised to apply for the HMO type coverage called MassHealth Basic. If the teen is under age 18 or disabled or pregnant or the parent or a child, he or she should apply for MassHealth Standard. Again, call 1.800.841.2900 for an application. Food Stamps If the teen is under 18 years and lives with other adults, she is also not eligible for separate Food Stamps from these adults; she must apply for and receive the Food Stamps with these adults. |