A child who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may have been given Medicaid without parents having to submit a Medicaid application, for instance if the child spent time in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

If, for any reason, they are longer eligible to receive SSI (often because the household exceeds current income limits), parents must apply for Medicaid coverage for their child. This includes TEFRA Medicaid coverage.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) regularly sends information to SC Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) notifying them which SC residents are longer receiving SSI benefits.  SCDHHS Healthy Connections Medicaid then sends out letters to those individuals letting them know they must apply for Medicaid, or their current benefits will end at a certain date.

If you receive this letter for your child, you can apply several ways:

  1. Online at apply.scdhhs.gov and select “Apply for Medicaid”
    or
  2. Complete a paper application: https://www.scdhhs.gov/members/getting-started
  • You can submit a scanned completed paper application online at apply.scdhhs.gov. Select “Check Status/Update Information” and “Submit your paperwork online”.
  • Mail it to SCDHHS-Central Mail, P.O. Box 100101, Columbia, SC 29202-3101. Please make a copy for your records before mailing!
  • Email your application to [email protected]

Once SC Medicaid receives the application, your benefits will remain open until the application is processed. When a decision has been made, the agency will send you a notice letting you know if you are eligible to continue receiving Medicaid.

If you have questions about your child’s coverage or would like assistance applying for TEFRA Medicaid, please contact Family Connection at 1-800-578-8750.