Medical Assistance Northstar Kinship Assistance

2.5.6.2.1.1 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 alone is not acceptable for eligibility requirements with mandatory verifications.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. When determining MA eligibility for a child receiving Northstar Kinship Assistance (MA-NKA), the eligibility worker in the relative custodian’s county of residence or MA processing tribal agency is responsible for verifying the following information for the child:

Receiving NKA benefits
Social Security number (SSN)
U.S. Citizenship
Immigration Status

Proof of Northstar Kinship Assistance (NKA) Benefits

A health care application is not required to determine MA for a child who receives NKA. However, proof the child is receiving NKA benefits is required prior to MA approval.

As proof of NKA benefits, the eligibility worker in the relative custodian’s county of residence or MA processing tribal agency will receive the NKA Payment Commencement Notice from the DHS permanency support payment specialist. DHS permanency support payment specialists are state employees who are responsible for initiation, issuance and maintenance of NKA benefits.

Social Security Number

A Social Security Number (SSN) is required for a child receiving NKA unless the child meets an exception. See EPM section 2.1.2.5 MA Social Security Number for more information.

The eligibility worker must assist the child’s relative custodian in obtaining a SSN for the child, if the child does not have one. In most cases, the child’s SSN was previously obtained while the child was in foster care, prior to NKA approval. MA eligibility must not be denied or delayed due to this requirement.

Citizenship and Immigration Status

Children who receive NKA are U.S. citizens or lawfully present noncitizens. U.S. citizen and lawfully present noncitizen children are eligible for MA.

Verification of U.S. citizenship and lawful presence was previously obtained while the child was in foster care as part of Title IV-E determination or the NKA eligibility determination and does not need to be re-verified.

Legal Citations

Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 435.145

Minnesota Statutes, section 256N.22

Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.055