These tips will make the most sense if you have the
application form right in front of you.
Get MaineCare
application for Children and Pregnant Women. You may also want to have an
extra sheet of paper. If you need to explain an answer, use it to write information that
won't fit on the form.
Tip Number 1: When in doubt, apply! Even if you think you and your
children might not meet the guidelines, you won't know for sure unless you
try.
Tip Number 2: If you expect your income to go down in the next
12 months, be sure to attach a note to let DHHS know. DHHS uses your proof
of income from the past 4 weeks to estimate how much income your family
will have in the next 12 months. If your income will change from what
it's been, let them know!
Tip Number 3: If there is a person with disabilities in the family, be sure
to indicate that on the application. In some cases, it may be advantagous to apply for
disability MaineCare before applying to Social Security. If you are turned down by the
Social Security Administration, you will automatically be denied disability MaineCare.
However, if you get MaineCare first and later are denied Social Security, you can keep
your MaineCare while you appeal the Social Security denial.
Tip Number 4: If you have any medical bills for the last 3
months, be sure to check "yes" in the box where the application asks:
"Are you requesting help with medical bills incurred within the last 3 months?"
Keep a copy of the bills!
Tip Number 5: You don't have to attach proof of SSI or Social
Security income because DHHS can check this with their computer system.
Tip Number 6: On page 1, box 3 of the form where it asks you to
list household members:
- Tell whether or not adults are married.
- Tell how each adult is related to each child. Note which adult is a
parent and which adult is a stepparent to each child.
Tip Number 7: Be sure to list any pregnant adults who might be
eligible for MaineCare themselves. Remember that pregnant women have no asset limits.
Tip Number 8: If you have children who are or were covered by
private health insurance within the last 3 months, list them in box 9 on
page 2 of the application. If you think they meet one of the exceptions to the
3-month rule, explain this in a note attached
to your application. DHHS will be able to
tell you whether your child could get MaineCare if you dropped the private
insurance. Before making a decision about dropping private insurance,
consider whether your income may go up over MaineCare guidelines in the
future. If it does, you want to consider whether you could get your private
insurance back. For help, call the Consumers for Affordable Health Care HelpLine
at 1-800-965-7476.
Back to
MaineCare Eligibity
