(a) Application. A female, or a parent or legal guardian
acting on her behalf if she is 15 through 17 years of age, inclusive,
may apply for HTW services by completing an application form and providing
documentation as required by HHSC.
(1) An applicant may obtain an application in the following
ways:
(A) from a local benefits office of HHSC, an HTW provider's
office, or any other location that makes HTW applications available;
(B) from the HTW or HHSC website;
(C) by calling 2-1-1; or
(D) by any other means approved by HHSC.
(2) HHSC accepts and processes every application received
through the following means:
(A) in person at a local benefits office of HHSC;
(B) by fax;
(C) through the mail; or
(D) by any other means approved by HHSC.
(b) Processing timeline. HHSC processes an HTW application
by the 45th day after the date HHSC receives the application.
(c) Start of coverage. Program coverage, for females
who are not auto-enrolled in accordance with §382.7(f) of this
subchapter (relating to Client Eligibility), begins on the first day
of the month in which HHSC receives a valid application. For applicants
18 through 44 years of age, inclusive, a valid application has, at
a minimum, the applicant's name, address, and signature. For applicants
15 through 17 years of age, inclusive, a valid application has, at
a minimum, the applicant's name, address, and the signature of a parent
or legal guardian.
(d) Social security number (SSN) required. In accordance
with 42 U.S.C. §405(c)(2)(C)(i), HHSC requires an applicant to
provide or apply for a social security number. If an applicant is
not eligible to receive an SSN, the applicant must provide HHSC with
any documents requested by HHSC to verify the applicant's identity.
HHSC requests, but does not require, budget group members who are
not applying for HTW to provide or apply for an SSN.
(e) Interviews. HHSC does not require an interview
for purposes of an eligibility determination. An applicant may, however,
request an interview for an initial or renewal application.
(f) Identity. An applicant must verify her identity
the first time she applies to receive covered services.
(g) Citizenship. If an applicant is a United States
citizen, she must provide proof of citizenship. If the applicant,
who is otherwise eligible to receive HTW services, is not an United
States citizen, HHSC determines her eligibility in accordance with
§366.513 of this title (relating to Citizenship). Citizenship
is only verified once, unless HHSC receives conflicting information
related to citizenship. If an applicant's citizenship has already
been verified by HHSC for eligibility for Medicaid or HTW, the applicant
is not required to re-verify her citizenship.
(h) Renewal. A female, or a parent or legal guardian
acting on her behalf if she is 15 through 17 years of age, inclusive,
may renew HTW services by completing a renewal form and providing
documentation as required by HHSC.
(1) An HTW client will be sent a renewal packet during
the 10th month of her 12-month certification period for HTW.
(2) HHSC accepts and processes every renewal form received
through the following means:
(A) in person at a local benefits office of HHSC;
(B) by fax;
(C) through the mail; or
(D) by any other means approved by HHSC.
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