Medicaid Eligibility When You Move to Another State - Texas Foster Youth Justice Project

Medicaid is a public benefit that is provided by the state you currently live in. Depending on certain factors, your eligibility for FFCC Medicaid may change if you move away from the state where you were in foster care. See below for different situations you may find yourself in and how they may impact whether you can get FFCC Medicaid.

In foster care in Texas, but placed in another state

If you went into foster care in Texas, then DFPS has custody of you. CPS may choose a placement for you that is in another state – if this happens, you are still in Texas foster care even if your placement is in another state. There is a set of rules called the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) that should be followed if you are placed in another state. If you are in a placement outside Texas when you turn 18, you will be eligible for FFCC Medicaid only until your 21st birthday. You can contact your PAL staff to find out if you were in an ICPC placement.

In foster care in another state, but placed in Texas

If you went into foster care in another state, then the agency responsible for keeping children safe in that state has custody of you. That agency may choose a placement for you in Texas – if this happens, you are still in foster care of your home state. There is a set a rules called the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) that should be followed if you are placed in another state. If you are in foster care in another state but in a placement in Texas when you turn 18, you will be eligible for FFCC Medicaid only until your 21st birthday.

Aged out of foster care in Texas and moved to another state

Turned 18 before January 1, 2023: If you aged out of foster care in Texas and turned 18 before January 1, 2023, you are not entitled to receive FFCC Medicaid in any other state. Some states may offer Medicaid benefits that you may access, but you will have to apply in that state. If you move back to Texas and continue to meet all the eligibility requirements, you can re- apply for FFCC Medicaid or MTFCY.
Turned 18 on or after January 1, 2023: If you aged out of foster care in Texas and turned 18 on or after January 1, 2023, you are entitled to receive FFCC Medicaid in any other U.S. state or territory. You may be asked to verify that you aged out of foster care in Texas. You can obtain a Foster Care Verification from the state office PAL staff by contacting them here.

Aged out of foster care in another state and moved to Texas

Turned 18 before January 1, 2023: If you aged out of foster care in another state and turned 18 before January 1, 2023, you are not entitled to receive FFCC Medicaid in Texas. You may be eligible for a different Medicaid program, but you will have to apply through HHSC. If you move back to your home state and continue to meet all the eligibility requirements, you can re-apply for FFCC Medicaid.
Turned 18 on or after January 1, 2023: If you aged out of foster care in another state and turned 18 on or after January 1, 2023, you are entitled to receive FFCC Medicaid in Texas. You may be asked to verify that you aged out of foster care in your home state. Contact the Texas Foster Youth Justice Project for help to get your state coordinator’s contact information.