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TexCare Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

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The TexCare Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is designed for families who earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid health care, yet cannot afford to buy private insurance. The parents in some of these families have jobs that do not offer health insurance for children. Other parents' jobs offer health insurance, but the insurance is so expensive that families cannot afford it.

TexCare offers additional children's health insurance programs through Medicaid, which is provided at no cost to qualifying children, and the State Kids Insurance Program (SKIP). If you are a state employee, you may qualify for an insurance supplement for your dependent children under age 19. Your SKIP supplement will be covered through your state insurance program.

The TexCare Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is designed for families who earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid health care, yet cannot afford to buy private insurance. The parents in some of these families have jobs that do not offer health insurance for children. Other parents' jobs offer health insurance, but the insurance is so expensive that families cannot afford it.

TexCare offers additional children's health insurance programs through Medicaid, which is provided at no cost to qualifying children, and the State Kids Insurance Program (SKIP). If you are a state employee, you may qualify for an insurance supplement for your dependent children under age 19. Your SKIP supplement will be covered through your state insurance program.

To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a resident of Texas and meet all of the following:

  • Either 18 years of age and under or a primary care giver with a child(ren) 18 years of age and under, and
  • A U.S. Citizen, National, or a Non-Citizen legally admitted into the U.S, and
  • Uninsured (and ineligible for Medicaid).

In order to qualify, you must have an annual household income (before taxes) that is below the following amounts:

Annual Household Income Limits (before taxes)
Household Size*Maximum Income Level (Per Year)
1$29,452
2$39,835
3$50,218
4$60,600
5$70,983
6$81,366
7$91,749
8$102,132

*For households with more than eight people, add $10,383 per additional person. Always check with the appropriate managing agency to ensure the most accurate guidelines.

To apply for this benefit, visit the Texas CHIP Application page.

Call 1-800-647-6558 to ask questions about CHIP or to apply over the phone. Operators work between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. M-F and until 3 p.m. (Central Time) on Saturdays, except Federal holidays.

Apply for TexCare

Learn more about our programs and their requirements, please visit the Texas CHIP website.

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