Family MO HealthNet (MAGI) Manual

1805.020.00 Citizenship and Immigrant Status

IM-13 February 1, 2017; IM-97 November 9, 2015

Section 6036 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 amended section 1903 of the Social Security Act to require states to obtain satisfactory documentation of citizenship and identity prior to approving MO HealthNet benefits, effective July 1, 2006.

Individuals exempt from providing documentation of citizenship and identity are listed in 1805.020.05 Citizenship.

1805.020.15 Documentation and Verification of Alien or Immigrant Status lists acceptable documents to use as verification.

Section 211 of the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) signed February 4, 2009, amended section 1903(x) of the Social Security Act. The law allows an individual declaring to be a citizen or national of the United States who is required to present documentary evidence of citizenship or nationality a reasonable opportunity to present the documentation. The reasonable opportunity period is defined as 90 days from the date of approval; see 1805.000.05 Reasonable Opportunity (RO).

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 changed eligibility for individuals who are not citizens of the United States. MO HealthNet eligibility for immigrants is based on the immigrant’s:

  • status as qualified or non-qualified; and
  • date of entry into the United States