PM 03-11-05-a: Adding Newborns

WAG 03-11-05-a.

Newborns are eligible for Moms and Babies and Assist without an SSN for up to one year from the date of birth if:

  • the mother was eligible for and receiving TANF, AABD Cash, Assist, Moms and Babies, AABD Medical, or Category 98 when the child was born; and
  • the newborn lives with the mother. (This includes newborns who must remain in the hospital immediately after birth.)

In cases where the mother signs an adoption agreement, the baby is eligible for Medicaid only through the end of the month in which the adoption agreement is signed. (Adoption agreements cannot be signed until 72 hours after the birth of the baby.)

For TANF and Assist, add the newborn without requiring an SSN. For TANF, once the child is added, ask the caretaker relative to complete an SSN application for the child at SSA. If the caretaker relative fails to apply for the SSN, change the child's benefits to medical only.

For SNAP, add the newborn without requiring an SSN. The SNAP unit must submit proof of application for the newborn's SSN at the next SNAP REDE or within 6 months from the date of the infant's birth, whichever is later.

If, at the next SNAP REDE or within 6 months from the date of the infant's birth, the child has not met the SSN requirements, determine if good cause exists (see PM 03-11-03 ).

For TANF/SNAP benefits, when a newborn who was added to a TANF/SNAP case is deleted from the cash case, the SNAP unit must verify the SSN status of the newborn at the next SNAP REDE or within 6 months from the date of the infant's birth. If the SNAP unit does not have good cause for the child not meeting the SSN requirement, delete the child from the unit. The newborn remains ineligible until the SNAP unit meets the SSN requirement.