DHHS - CHIP Policy Manual
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OBSOLETE POLICY

CHIP MANUAL

 

701 Application

Effective: February 1, 2012

Previous Policy

Most children must apply to be enrolled in CHIP.  The application process includes a properly completed application form, gathering information and verification to determine the child's eligibility for CHIP. (See Section 102-1 for information about application dates.)

Children may be added to an open CHIP case at any time during the certification period without requiring a new application. This includes newborn or newly adopted children of open CHIP families and children who are losing Medicaid coverage. See Section 701-5 and 804-3 for more information.

All enrollees have the right to register to vote at application. Ask if they wish to complete the voter registration form, or check to see if they have marked that they want to register on the application form. See Section 101 for additional information on voter registration.

  1. Any Department approved application form will be accepted.  This includes a medical application form or a DWS application form.

  1. Individuals may apply in person, through the mail, by fax, phone or online. See section 102-1.

  2. A CHIP review form may be used as an application for any children who are members of the household but who have not been included in the coverage.

  1. If the case is closed for one or more calendar months, the enrollee must reapply.

  2. A parent, legal guardian or an adult who has assumed responsibility for the care or supervision of a child under age 19 may apply for CHIP on behalf of a child.

  1. The child's parent, legal guardian or responsible adult may request an authorized representative. The request must be done in writing.

  2. A child under age 19 living on his own may apply on his own behalf, if he is mentally and physically able to do so.

  3. When DCFS has custody of a child and the child is placed in foster care, the Division of Child and Family Services is responsible for completing the application process.

  4. If the applicant requests help in completing the application process, the Local Office shall assign someone to assist him.

  5. When an application is received that is not signed, the applicant must provide a signed signature page within the regular processing time frame in order to complete the application process and retain the original date of receipt as the date of application.

  6. When an application is received, an interview may be helpful in gathering information, but is not required.

  1. An applicant may be interviewed in person, on the telephone, or you may interview the person’s authorized representative. Do not require them to come to the office.  You may process all paper work through the mail or by fax.

  2. Screen the application and request needed verifications.

  3. Send a written request for verifications to the applicant.  See Section 705 for more information on the verification process.

  4. Give applicants at least 10 days from the mailing date of the request to return verifications. Applicants may request more time by the due date.  In which case, give applicants at least 10 more days.

  1. If an application is incomplete, the agency will contact the applicant and offer ways for them to complete it. The application must be completed by the end of the application processing period, or it will be denied. If the application is completed by the 30th day after a denial, the new application date is the date the application is completed.

See Section 102-1 #9 when an application is received while another application is already pending.