CHIP Texas 2026: Income Limits, Who Qualifies & How to Apply

CHIP stands for the Children's Health Insurance Program. It's run by the State of Texas (HHSC) and the federal government to cover children from birth through age 18 in working families. CHIP also includes CHIP Perinatal, which provides prenatal care for pregnant women who earn a little too much for Medicaid.

Think of CHIP as the step right above Medicaid: when a family earns too much for free Medicaid, their children can usually still get CHIP for a small fee. You apply once, and Texas checks your kids for both programs.

CHIP in Texas covers children in households earning up to about 201% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). The more people in your household, the higher the income limit. The table below shows the approximate monthly income limits — if your family earns at or below these amounts, your children likely qualify for Medicaid or CHIP.

For households larger than 8, add about $901/month for each additional person. These figures are approximate and update each year, so the most reliable way to know is to apply — there's no cost to check.

• Children often qualify even when parents earn a moderate income.
• One application checks your kids for both Medicaid (free) and CHIP (low-cost).
• Earning a little too much for Medicaid is exactly who CHIP is for.
• Pregnant and over the Medicaid limit? Look at CHIP Perinatal for prenatal care.

CHIP is low-cost, not free for most families — but the cost is small compared to private insurance:

• Annual enrollment fee of $50 or less per family (families with the lowest incomes pay $0).
• Small co-pays for some doctor visits and prescriptions.
• No surprise bills for covered services — CHIP caps what your family pays each year.

Texas CHIP generally covers:

• Regular checkups and doctor visits
• Prescriptions
• Dental care (checkups, cleanings, fillings)
• Eye exams and glasses
• Hospital and emergency care
• Immunizations (shots)
• Lab tests and X-rays
• Mental health and counseling

Your child may qualify for Texas CHIP if:

• They are under age 19
• They live in Texas (your family is a Texas resident)
• Your household income is at or below about 201% FPL
• They are a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen
• They are not covered by Medicaid or other health insurance

Not sure? Apply anyway. The state will check your children for free, across both Medicaid and CHIP at once.

1. 1

   Gather your documents

   Use the checklist below so you have everything ready in one sitting.

2. 2

   Choose how you want to apply

   Online at YourTexasBenefits.com, by phone at 2-1-1 (press option 2), by mail, or in person at a local HHSC benefits office.

3. 3

   Fill out one application

   One Texas application checks your children for Medicaid, CHIP, and CHIP Perinatal at the same time — you don't have to pick.

4. 4

   Pay the small enrollment fee, if approved for CHIP

   If your kids are placed in CHIP, you'll pay an annual fee of $50 or less. Then their coverage begins.

5. 5

   Get help if you're stuck

   If anything is confusing, our community navigators can walk through it with you — free and confidential.

Most applications ask for some version of the following:

• Photo ID for the parent or guardian (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
• Proof of income (recent pay stubs, benefits letter, or tax return)
• Proof of address (utility bill, lease, or piece of mail)
• Household info (names, birthdays, and Social Security numbers)
• Proof of citizenship or qualified immigration status for the child
• Each child's date of birth

Earn too much for Medicaid? Compare with our Texas Medicaid eligibility guide. Pregnant? See the CHIP Perinatal guide.