Medical Assistance for Children in Foster Care
2.5.6.3.1.1 Mandatory Verifications
Mandatory verifications must be verified through an available electronic data source or by paper proof, if electronic data sources are unsuccessful or unavailable. Self-attestation of certain eligibility factors may be accepted if electronic data sources are unsuccessful or unavailable and paper proof does not exist or is not available. See EPM section 2.2.1.2 MA-FCA Mandatory Verifications for more information.
The following mandatory verifications are required for MA for children in foster care (MA-FC):
- Foster care placement begin date
- Social Security number (SSN)
- U.S. Citizenship
- Immigration Status
The child’s social services case manager will obtain mandatory verifications on the child’s behalf. The child remains eligible for MA while the case manager obtains mandatory verifications.
Foster Care Placement Begin Date
The foster care placement begin date must be received from the case manager (via a system interface or from the case manager directly) before approving MA-FC for the child.
Social Security Number
A SSN is required unless the child meets an exception. See EPM 2.1.2.5 MA Social Security Number for more information.
Some children may not have a SSN when first placed in foster care. The child’s case manager will assist the child with obtaining a SSN or to apply for a SSN if they do not have one and are eligible to receive a SSN. The child remains eligible for MA if they are eligible to receive a SSN and the case manager is assisting the child with obtaining it.
Citizenship and Immigration Status
To receive MA, children in foster care must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals or lawfully present noncitizens.
Undocumented children in foster care who are not eligible for MA because they do not have a valid immigration status may be eligible for Emergency Medical Assistance (EMA).
Most undocumented children in foster care qualify for a path to lawful permanent residence (green card) through Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) classification. Case managers assist undocumented children in foster care with obtaining information about and applying for SIJ classification. Once an application for SIJ has been accepted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an undocumented child is considered lawfully present for the purpose of MA eligibility.
The process for applying for SIJ classification is lengthy and can take several months.
See EPM sections 2.1.2.2.1 MA Citizenship and 2.1.2.2.2 MA Immigration Status for more information.
Legal Citations
Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 435.145
Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.055