| Determining whether you qualify for medical benefits | | | | the Federal government requires each state to cover |
| under the current Medicaid eligibility criteria can be a | | | | particular groups of people, but the best way to |
| little tricky. It actually comes down to which state you | | | | determine whether you qualify for medical benefits is |
| live in and their particular guidelines, since there are no | | | | to contact your state's social services office. |
| concrete eligibility rules set in place by the Federal | | | | Most state's have their own programs which will help |
| government. | | | | people who are struggling but for one reason or |
| What the Federal government does specify is very | | | | another do not qualify for Medicaid benefits. Usually, |
| detailed guidelines which guide the states in what | | | | these programs will accept anyone who is struggling, |
| individuals absolutely must be covered. Ultimately, how | | | | so the best course of action is to contact your local |
| each state decides to interpret and follow these | | | | social services or similar titled agency and ask what |
| guidelines will determine their own rules and guidelines | | | | the current guidelines are in your state. |
| for approving or turning away particular candidates. | | | | Since every state has a different policy and routine for |
| In general, if your income places you at or below 133% | | | | processing applicants, it is best to go straight to their |
| of the current poverty line for the nation or you are | | | | offices for the current Medicaid eligibility criteria. They |
| receiving income assistance from the Federal | | | | will be able not only to determine whether you can |
| government, you are automatically qualified for | | | | receive these benefits, but sign you up for other |
| Medicaid no matter which state you live in. This is a | | | | programs which may help you along as well. |
| welfare program and should not be confused with | | | | Depending on which state you live in, your family could |
| Medicare eligibility. When it comes to Medicare eligibility | | | | be qualified to receive help with food and other needs |
| this is dependent on contributions from Social Secuirty. | | | | as well as Medicaid. |
| There are more complicated guidelines under which | | | | |