An official State of Texas website.
Revision 09-4; Effective December 1, 2009
In determining age for aged, blind, or disabled individuals, the age is reached the day before the anniversary of birth. This affects the month a disability determination is required for persons born on the first day of the month. Example: The person turns 65 on Jan. 1, and is eligible for Medicare Dec. 1, before the person’s 65th birthday in January. If the person meets all other eligibility criteria, the person can be certified for benefits for December without a disability decision.
Determine a person's age by the person’s statement on the application. Compare the reported information with Social Security Administration records using systems in place to exchange or request data. Other acceptable evidence includes such readily available sources as:
- insurance policies;
- family Bible;
- marriage record;
- child's birth certificate;
- hospital admission record;
- driver's license;
- hunting license;
- fishing license; or
- voter registration card.
D-1210 Definition of a Child
Revision 09-4; Effective December 1, 2009
A child is neither married nor a head of a household and is either:
- under age 18; or
- under age 22 and a student regularly attending school, college or training that is designed to prepare him/her for a paying job.
Child status ceases effective with the month after the month of attainment of age 22 (age 18, if not a student) or the month after the month the person last meets the definition of child.
SSI policy defines full-time student as an individual attending at least:
- 12 hours per week if in high school or under;
- 12 hours per week if in a technical or vocational school (shop practice is not included in the course);
- 15 hours per week if in a technical or vocational school (shop practice is included in the course); or
- eight hours per week per semester if in a college or university.
A student is deemed to be in regular school attendance during normal vacation periods if he attends regularly during the month immediately following the vacation period. A person may be considered a full-time student without attending the required number of hours per week, if the person is disabled and physically unable to attend full-time, has difficulty obtaining transportation or is taking all that is needed to complete the person's education.
The age requirements involved in identifying a child apply only to a person who is otherwise eligible. A blind or disabled applicant who meets these age requirements, however, can become eligible for Medicaid, even though the person does not meet the definition of a child.