How to Apply for Medicaid in Texas

Applying for Medicaid in Texas starts with one form — the H1200 — and you can submit it online, by phone, in person, or by mail. HHSC has 45 days to make a decision for applicants 65 and older. This guide walks through each application method step by step, the documents you'll need, and the mistakes that trip up most applicants.

In This Guide

• Key Takeaways
• How to Apply for Medicaid in Texas
• What Documents You'll Need
• Can Someone Else Apply for You?
• How Long Does the Application Take?
• Why Applications Get Denied
• What If You're Denied?
• Where to Get Free Help
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Next Steps

Key Takeaways

• Form H1200 is the standard Texas Medicaid application for seniors 65 and older.
• You can apply at YourTexasBenefits.com, by phone at 2-1-1, at an HHSC office, or by mail.
• HHSC must decide within 45 days for applicants 65 and older.
• The #1 reason applications get denied is missing the document verification deadline, not actual ineligibility.
• Free help is available statewide: call Area Agencies on Aging at 1-800-252-9240 or ADRCs at 1-855-937-2372.

Last verified: March 2026. This information may have changed. Visit hhs.texas.gov for the most current details.

How to Apply for Medicaid in Texas

Texas gives you four ways to submit a Medicaid application. Pick whichever fits your situation.

Online at YourTexasBenefits.com

Go to www.YourTexasBenefits.com and click "Apply for new benefits." You can create an account (which lets you save progress, upload documents, and check status later) or apply without one. The portal handles Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities (MEPD) applications directly.

Creating an account takes about 5 minutes. You'll need a username (8-40 characters, no symbols) and password (8-32 characters, at least 2 numbers).

By Phone

Call 2-1-1 (or 1-877-541-7905 toll-free), choose your language, then press Option 2 for benefits. A representative can walk you through the application over the phone. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM Central Time.

For deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired callers: dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-735-2989.

In Person

Walk into any HHSC benefits office. Staff can help you fill out the H1200 on the spot, and the office has computers if you'd prefer to apply online with some guidance. Find the nearest office at YourTexasBenefits.com/Screener/FindanOffice or call 2-1-1.

The office finder also lists community partner locations (food banks, churches, community health centers) where you can get application help.

By Mail or Fax

Download Form H1200 from the HHS Texas website, or call 2-1-1 to request a paper copy. Fill it out, sign page 19, and write the applicant's Social Security number at the bottom of each page. Mail it to:

HHSC, PO Box 14600, Midland, TX 79711-4600

You can also mail it to your local benefits office or fax it to 1-877-447-2839.

What Documents You'll Need

Gather these before you start. Missing paperwork is the single biggest reason applications stall out or get denied.

Identity and citizenship:

• Social Security card or statement
• U.S. passport, birth certificate, or Certificate of Naturalization
• Texas driver's license or DPS ID card
• Already on Medicare? That counts as proof of citizenship.

Income:

• Social Security award letter or SSA-1099
• Pension and retirement income statements
• Last 30 days of pay stubs (if still working)

Financial accounts:

• Bank statements for all checking and savings accounts (current month plus the previous 3 months at minimum)
• Statements for retirement accounts, CDs, stocks, bonds, and any trusts
• Applying for nursing home or waiver Medicaid? Prepare up to 60 months of bank statements. HHSC's automated verification system checks 5 years of financial records for those applications.

Property and insurance:

• Property deeds and recent tax bills
• Life insurance policies (face value and cash surrender value)
• Health insurance cards and Medicare card
• Vehicle registration or title
• Burial plot deeds and prepaid funeral contracts

Medical expenses (for deductions):

• Medical bills from the past 3 months
• Pharmacy statements and insurance premium receipts

Can Someone Else Apply for You?

Yes. If you're helping a parent or another family member, there are a few paths.

A family member or close friend who knows the applicant's financial situation can sign the H1200 form directly. No extra paperwork needed.

If someone outside the family needs to handle the application, they'll need Form H1003 (Appointment of an Authorized Representative), signed by the applicant.

If the applicant can't sign due to incapacity, a person with legal authority (power of attorney, legal guardian, or court-appointed representative) can sign the application and serve as the representative by providing documentation of that authority.

Once appointed, an authorized representative can do everything: submit the application, provide documents, check status, appeal decisions, pick a health plan, and receive the Medicaid ID card. One rule: each applicant can only have one authorized representative at a time.

How Long Does the Application Take?

HHSC must make an eligibility decision within 45 days for applicants 65 or older. If a disability determination is needed (for applicants under 65), that extends to 90 days.

The document verification step is where things slow down. Have your paperwork ready before you submit. After applying, check YourTexasBenefits.com regularly. If HHSC needs additional documents, the request often appears there before the letter shows up in your mailbox. Missing a verification deadline triggers an automatic denial.

Haven't heard anything after 45 days? Call 2-1-1 and ask for a status update. You have the right to a timely decision.

Why Applications Get Denied

Most denials fall into two buckets: procedural and substantive.

Procedural denials (the most common). You didn't send the documents HHSC asked for by the deadline. This is the #1 reason applications fail, and it's entirely avoidable. When HHSC sends a request for information, respond right away. Don't sit on it.

Income over the limit. For nursing home and waiver Medicaid, the income cap is $2,982 per month for a single applicant (2026). Texas is an income-cap state with no spend-down. But most people don't realize this: if income exceeds the cap, you can set up a Qualified Income Trust (QIT), also called a Miller Trust, to redirect that excess income and still qualify. An elder law attorney can set one up.

Assets over the limit. The countable asset limit is $2,000 for a single applicant. Your primary home (up to $752,000 in equity), one vehicle, household furnishings, and personal effects don't count. Common trip-ups: savings accounts over the limit, accessible retirement accounts, and life insurance policies with cash value above $1,500.

Asset transfer penalties. Texas looks back 60 months for gifts or below-market sales. A $50,000 gift three years ago would trigger roughly 190 days of Medicaid ineligibility, calculated using the current penalty divisor of $262.37 per day.

What If You're Denied?

You have 90 days from the date on your denial notice to request a fair hearing. You can request one by calling 2-1-1, visiting an HHSC office, or submitting Form H4800 in writing.

The hearing can happen by phone, video, or in person. A hearing officer must issue a decision within 90 days of your request. If you disagree with the outcome, you can request a rehearing or seek judicial review.

Calling your local Area Agency on Aging is usually faster than figuring out the appeals process on your own. They've handled hundreds of these cases and can tell you quickly whether the denial was wrong. Legal aid organizations (listed below) can represent you at no cost.

For help with complaints or the process in general, call the HHS Ombudsman at 1-877-787-8999.

Where to Get Free Help

You don't have to figure this out alone. Several organizations help Texas seniors with Medicaid applications at no cost:

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). 28 offices covering all 254 Texas counties. Free benefits counseling for anyone 60 or older, no income requirements. Call 1-800-252-9240 or find your local AAA.

Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC). Part of Texas's "No Wrong Door" system. They help with Medicaid applications, eligibility screening, and referrals statewide. Call 1-855-937-2372 (855-YES-ADRC).

HICAP (Texas's SHIP program). Free one-on-one counseling on Medicare and Medicaid. Operates through the AAA offices. Call 1-800-252-3439.

Legal aid. Lone Star Legal Aid covers East Texas and Houston (1-800-733-8394). Texas RioGrande Legal Aid covers Southwest Texas including Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso (1-888-988-9996). Both provide free help with applications and appeals for qualifying seniors.

NCOA Benefits Enrollment Centers. 11 locations across Texas (Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and more) offer free screening and application help. Try the BenefitsCheckUp tool for a quick online eligibility screen.

Next Steps

If you're ready to start, download Form H1200 or head to YourTexasBenefits.com. Gather your documents first. It'll save you time and prevent the most common reason for denial.

For related guides, see our overview of Texas Medicaid programs for seniors, the Texas STAR+PLUS waiver program, and how to get paid as a family caregiver in Texas.

Additional Resources

• HHSC MEPD Handbook: Application Process — official application procedures
• HHSC MEPD Handbook: Processing Deadlines — timeline rules for eligibility decisions
• HHSC Fair and Fraud Hearings — how to appeal a denial
• Medicaid Planning Assistance: Texas 2026 — income and asset limits overview

The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Medicaid rules vary by state and change frequently. Always verify eligibility and benefits with your state Medicaid agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.