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A Joint Project of the Maine
Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods |
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Volume 10 No. 2 |
June 2006 |
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MAIN
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A Joint Project of the Maine
Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods |
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Volume 10 No. 2 |
June 2006 |
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New MaineCare Requirement for U.S. Citizens
The 2005 Deficit Reduction Act passed by Congress created a new requirement for MaineCare applicants and recipients who are U.S. citizens. Currently, when someone applies for MaineCare they just state that they are a citizen on their application. Beginning July 1st, all applicants and current members filling out review forms will need to provide documents to prove both their citizenship and their identity. This new change does not affect the rights of legal immigrants to get MaineCare.
It is not yet clear what kinds of documentation will be allowed. The new law says that things like passports or a birth certificate along with things like a driver’s license with a photo ID can be used to prove citizenship and identity. Maine DHHS is waiting for word from the federal government on what other kinds of documentation will be allowed. We are hoping that there will be other options that make it easier for people to meet this new requirement.
In Maine, a group of advocates and health care providers are working with the Department to come up with a way to collect this new documentation that is the least burdensome for MaineCare recipients and applicants. For example, if DHHS already has a birth certificate on file in their Office of Vital Records, they would use that to prove that MaineCare applicants and recipients were born in Maine. This would mean that MaineCare members born in Maine will not have to produce a copy of their birth certificate on their own.
During the transition to this new requirement, DHHS has made it clear that they will not deny MaineCare benefits to any applicant or recipient if they are not able to prove citizenship. MEJP will keep MAIN Update readers posted on this new process. We will also work to help recipients and applicants understand what documentation they will need to provide and the best way to get it.
If you have any questions about this new requirement or would like to have someone speak to a group of people about this change, please contact Ana Hicks at Maine Equal \ Justice at 626-7058 ext 210 or toll-free 1-866-626-7059 ext 210.
