(a) Application. A female, or a parent or legal guardian acting on her behalf if she is 15 through 17 years of age may apply for the HTW program by completing an application for medical assistance and providing documentation as required by HHSC.
  (1) A female applicant may obtain an application:
    (A) from a local benefits office of HHSC, or any other location that makes the application available;
    (B) from the HTW program or HHSC website;
    (C) by calling 2-1-1; or
    (D) by any other means approved by HHSC.
  (2) HHSC accepts every application received through the following means:
    (A) in person at a local HHSC benefits office;
    (B) by fax;
    (C) by mail;
    (D) online; or
    (E) by any other means approved by HHSC.
(b) Processing timeline. HHSC processes an application for medical assistance by the 45th day after the date HHSC receives the application.
(c) Start of coverage. Program coverage for a client who is determined eligible in accordance with §382.7 of this subchapter (relating to Client Eligibility) begins on the earliest day of the application month on which the client meets all eligibility criteria.
  (1) For female applicants 18 through 44 years of age a valid application has, at a minimum, the applicant's name, address, and signature.
  (2) For female applicants 15 through 17 years of age a valid application has, at a minimum, the female 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 a female applicant to provide or apply for a social security number. If a female applicant is not eligible to receive an SSN, the female applicant must provide HHSC with any documents requested by HHSC to verify the female applicant's identity.
(e) Interviews. HHSC does not require an interview for purposes of an eligibility determination. A female applicant may, however, request an interview for an initial or renewal application.
(f) Identity. A female applicant must verify her identity the first time she applies to receive covered services.
(g) Citizenship.
  (1) If a female applicant is a United States citizen, she must provide proof of citizenship.
  (2) If a female applicant who is otherwise eligible for the HTW program is not a United States citizen, HHSC determines her eligibility as described in §366.513 of this title (relating to Citizenship).
  (3) Citizenship is only verified once, unless HHSC receives conflicting information related to citizenship. If a female applicant's citizenship has already been verified by HHSC for eligibility for the Medicaid program, the female applicant is not required to re-verify her citizenship.
(h) Renewal. A client, or a parent or legal guardian acting on behalf of the client if she is 15 through 17 years of age, may renew her enrollment in the HTW program by completing a renewal form as described in this subsection and providing documentation as required by HHSC.
  (1) HHSC sends a client a renewal packet during the 9th month of her 12-month certification period for the HTW program.
  (2) HHSC accepts and processes every renewal form received through the following means:
    (A) in person at a local HHSC benefits office;
    (B) by fax;
    (C) by mail;
    (D) online; or
    (E) by any other means approved by HHSC.

Source Note: The provisions of this §382.9 adopted to be effective July 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 4623; amended to be effective May 16, 2024, 49 TexReg 3199