Medicaid - Saint Petersburg,FL

D. i dont understand why you think that department of children and family services is child enforcement. yes they are both government agencies, but different. with dcf you can get medical, and food stamps and other help, have you checked into an unemployment check, if you were laid off you should be able to get it. there is also help from the salvation army to pay you electric bill, there are also church food banks to help. another avenue is thru the dcf you can get a 1 time referral ECHO if you live in the brandon area. they will help you with food and clothes for you and the children. if you get married right now, then you will not qualify for hillsboro county, or medicade insurance. they have a slew of drs and most hospitals take their insurance. your daughter is a toss of the coin as to whether she would lose medicade or not. there is a difference in the health department and the clinic services
good luck J.

the process can be a pain but i don't understand the child enforcement issue?? You provide your income proof and outgoing bill expenses. They don't come to your home and check on you. Maybe they should cause I don't understand what your hiding? If you desperately need the help then take the time to send them in the proper documents and withing 30 to 45 days you will find out if you have been approved. You have no income so it should be no problem.

The only issue I have heard is that child support has to go through the state in order to receive the aid. Whether this is true or not, I do not know. Either way, if your boyfriend is paying for the household expenses and supporting the child, it does not seem that this will apply.

What are the issues of child enforcement that you are concerned about? Are you putting your child on medicaid? Are you concerned about forced vaccines?

I am interested in what you a talking about because I was recently hospitalized for chest pains and cannot afford the bills-no insurance. The hospital has put my paperwork through medicaid to see what they will cover before deciding whether or not to release me from the bill. I am also a mother of three children and divorced without medical support. I do not have any major health problems--the chest pains were a surprise and I am fine.

I'm not sure why you dont want to help DCF to help you get what you and or your family may need. We have food stamps and medicade for both our son and myself and all we had to do was fill out the paperwork and provide the proof of income or non income and bills that was needed. What is it that you dont want to "corporate" with in order to get what you need?

I Have the same problem, i really need to go to the dr and i cant get medicaide cas they told me the same thing i have to file for child suport which there is no way i am going to do because my son father has given beyond what he should. so i eneded up just going to the health dept and signing up for the clinic card and i have a dr next week. its better then paying out of pocket. good luck

D., my son and i have been on "share of cost" medcaid,(my sons whole life;hes two.) i have never had anything "horrible" happen to use with medicaid, so i dont quite know whats horrible about it. its not the greatest program in the world but it does help some. if you make too much money to qualify for regular medicaid, you might qualify for the "share of cost" like we did. they will determine what your "share" will be based on the income.i am unemployed myself, and my husband works,and has us on his insurance. the amout that is paid depends on what company/and plan is chosen. my husband pays about200.00 a month with aetna/ for three people,(him,me and our son.) i hope i have helped you!good luck!

I'm sorry to hear about your health concerns. That can be scary especially w/ a young child. Something you should know is that ALOT of us can't afford health insurance even if both husband and wife are working. You can apply for medicaid, and if you make over a certain ammount then you pay a "shared cost." It could be 2 or 3 thousand,depends on what your income is, and they will pick up the rest. It's fair because if you were buying health insurance you would pay way more than that anyway. And should you really expect the state to pay your way completely? I don't think so, but that's just how I feel. If you do get the shared cost benefit then you can make payments on your part. That's better than not knowing, or waiting too long and not being able to fix whatever may be wrong with you. Your child is seperate with medicaid. And if she does not qualify, they do have the Florida Healthy kids program or Kid Care that is inexpensive too. Just remember, you are asking for thier help. They are going to ask you ALOT of personal questions. Bank accounts, value of your cars,home, paycheck stubs. So be prepared to give up ALOT of personal info...
It sounds like "the father" is a man with integrity. You say he's providing above and beyond. Why would you just marry him for the insurance? (He sounds like a good guy.) Is that the image of "marriage" that you want to show your daughter? You're very lucky to have a guy that is as responsable as he is. (thank him daily.) Alot of women aren't so lucky, I know a few, and some are married. I'm not trying to sound mean, but it sounds like he is doing alot. You guys just have an income problem. Is there any work you can do from home? Or in the evenings when he is home? House cleaning or watching someone else's kid? Don't be too proud to take odd jobs, it's not forever. We do what we can to benefit our kids. A little bit of money is better than none. And every bit helps!
I'm also confused (like the other women who responded) about why child enforcement would be involved with this? Are you an illegal immigrant? What else is going on???
Dealing w/ Medicaid is really no fun. You can definately expect to sit there for 3 hours waiting to see a doctor even with an appointment. But if you're broke and asking for help, you have to deal with it. That's the way it goes.
The very best advice I ever recieved was from another Mom on this web site. Check out DaveRamsey.com ! Get yourself on a written monthly budget and stick to it! There is always extra money we spend that isn't accounted for. Listen to his radio program for a few days (820am 2-4pm) and you'll hear stories where people overcome much worse financial situations than yours. It inspires you to do more and better. You may even hear someone ask a question similar to your. 6 months ago I was freaking out about money too, but I started Ramsey's Baby step program, and budget, and we're on a much better path.
Sorry this is long but I hope some of this is helpful to you.

does child enforcement havea "control" over you? im a little confused. in any case, why dont you just apply for the benefits? and if he is willing to pay for insurance, you can get it cheap through many well known names for lesds than $200 per month out of pocket. I dont really understand what "child enforcement" is....but if he supplies youwith income you will have to claim that and you might get denied anyway. Good luck.

It sounds to me like you and your baby's daddy live together. He has a job, you do not. Yo uare not claiming his income?????? to receive medical benefits?????? You are also not telling the state that he is the baby's daddy???? Maybe out of fear that they are going to go after him for money?? I am very confused. His name should be associated with that baby especially if there is something you are worried about health wise. If something happens to you he should be the baby's legal parent. Maybe what we all need is a little more back ground.

Dear D.,

There are MANY excellent Dr's that take nedicade. My friend is on medicade and just had a VERY HEALTHY baby girl, and recieved excellent care before hand. I don't see your problem with going on medicade, unlees you are too self absorbed and feel ashamed about it!!! If that is the case, GET OVER, your health comes first.

If you are just applying for Medicaid then child support requirements are not typically enforced. So it is odd that they went after the father. If you ar looking for cash and food stamps then YES they will go after the father. Now, if the father is in the household supporting you, then you need to put him down on the application. Here are some links for you.

Income guidelines: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/ess/FamilyMedChart.pdf

How to apply: http://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/

http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/hss/hhcprogram/program.cfm