A federal law started in Maine in August 2007. This law says that many people who are getting or applying for
MaineCare must show the Maine Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS) documents that prove both their U.S. citizenship and their identity. This law is for
both adults and children.
Not everyone must prove their citizenship
Many people are exempt from this new law. This means that they do not have to show
documents to prove their citizenship
and their identity. The people who do
not have to show documents to prove their
citizenship and their identity are:
- People with Medicare
- People with Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- People with Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Legal immigrants, such as people with "green cards" and refugees
- Foster children
The law does not apply to these groups. These groups have already shown documents
proving their citizenship or their immigration status. They have also proven their identity to state or federal government
officials. These people do not have to do anything
different to get or keep MaineCare.
Infants and Pregnant Women:
There are special rules for infants. If the mother is on MaineCare at the time of the birth, then the newborns will get MaineCare.
They will have until they are 1 year old to prove citizenship or identity.
If the newborn’s mother was not on MaineCare at the time of the birth, the newborn will have to prove citizenship and identity.
Without this proof, the baby will not get MaineCare.
People born in Maine or having a Maine driver's license or state ID:
DHHS is checking to see if they have a record of a your birth in Maine (which would prove citizenship).
They are also checking to see if they have a record of your Maine driver's license or state ID (which would prove identity).
DHHS does this "data matching" so that you do not have to do it yourself. If you were not born in Maine or if you do not have a Maine
driver's license or state ID, this will not work for you.
Sometimes, even if you were born in Maine or have a Maine driver’s license or ID, the data match may not show the match.
You may have to give more information to your DHHS Eligibility Specialist, so that they can check further in state records.
What do you need to do if this new law applies to you?
You will have to prove both your citizenship and your identity. To do this, show DHHS original documents
or certified copies from the issuing agency. For example, get a certified copy of a birth certificate from the town or state
where you were born.
Do I need to do this each year?
No. Once you have shown DHHS the documents that prove your citizenship and identity, you will not have to do it ever
again in Maine. Even if you stop getting MaineCare, but some time later you get MaineCare again, you
will not have to show these documents again.
Some documents you can use are:
Citizenship
- U.S. passport (this also proves identity)
- U.S. birth certificate
- Official military record of service that shows U.S. place of birth
- Adoption papers
Identity
- U.S. passport (this also proves citizenship)
- Driver's license or State ID
- Native American tribal document
- School ID card with photo
- U.S. military card or draft record
- School records (if age 17 and younger)
- Affidavit (if age 17 and younger)*
* Children who do not have a document to prove identity can have a parent fill out a form
called an affidavit. This will prove identity for that child (or children).
Get affidavit form for child age 15 or younger
Get affidavit form for teen age 16 and 17
This is not a full list of documents that will prove citizenship and identity. These are the most common
documents. You may have another document
that you can use. You can get help with this. Call the Help Line at
Consumers for Affordable Health Care.
Their number is (1-800-965-7476).
I already have MaineCare. What do I need to do?
You will need to show your documents at your next annual MaineCare review.
If you can not do this on time, you must tell your DHHS Eligibility Specialist that
you are working on getting your documents.
You will be given a "reasonable amount of time" to show DHHS the documents they need.
You should not lose your MaineCare because you are having a hard time getting these documents. If you are
having a hard time, be sure to call your DHHS Eligibility Specialist.
I plan to apply for MaineCare. What do I need to do?
Do not wait until you have your
documents to apply. Go ahead and apply for MaineCare and let DHHS know that you are working on getting
documents to prove your citizenship and your identity.
But remember: You will not be able to get
MaineCare
until you show DHHS the required documents (unless you are pregnant
or applying for an infant whose mother was on MaineCare at the time of the baby's birth).
Outstations: Some local social service agencies will be acting as "Outstations" for DHHS. This means
that staff at these
agencies can look at your original documents (or certified copies) instead of you needing to go to
DHHS to show these documents. Get list of Outstations or
call your DHHS Eligibility Specialist to find an Outstation agency near you.
Help Us...
If you are having a hard time with this new law, share your story with us.
This is a confusing and difficult law that has caused many people in other states to lose their
Medicaid coverage. Maine is working very hard to be sure that this does not happen here.
Please call us at Maine Equal Justice if you have any questions, or if you are
having a hard time with this new law. Your stories will help us continue the work we are doing to
change this law for the better.
Maine Equal Justice (toll-free) 1-866-626-7059
Consumer for Affordable Health Care - Help Line 1-800-965-7476
