Written by a parent, not a doctor. Nothing here is medical advice.

Childhood Cancer Lantern
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Texas program

Help with care costs and family support (CSHCN)

Help with medical costs, travel and family support for children under 21 with lasting health needs.

What it is

Help with medical costs, travel and family support for children under 21 with lasting health needs.

CSHCN reviews the child’s condition, family income and the particular service requested. Other insurance pays first. The program must confirm which support remains available and whether funding or a waiting list affects it.

Eligibility rules
  • The child must be under 21 with a qualifying chronic physical condition. Leukemia is included in the medical criteria.
  • The income ceiling is 200% of poverty. Medical expenses over a 12-month look-back can help when income is higher.
What you get
  • Approved family support, with the current amount and funding confirmed by CSHCN.
  • Approved medical, dental, drug and equipment costs after other insurance.
  • Travel, lodging and case management.
What the help covers
  • Other insurance pays first. CSHCN confirms whether the requested service is available without duplicating benefits, including any support outside other coverage.
  • CSHCN medical payments, Family Support Services and case management have different rules. Having Medicaid or CHIP does not by itself answer whether this particular support is available. Your social worker can ask the program to confirm which service is allowed, the current dollar limit, any prior approval and whether funding or a waiting list affects it.
If you decide to apply
  1. Ask your social worker to help with the family application and the clinic’s medical form.
  2. Have two months of income records and every insurance or benefit notice ready.
  3. Ask CSHCN whether any wait is for documents or for funding.

HHSC CSHCN application assistance: 800-222-3986. Your social worker can help identify the office and required clinician form. · Official page ↗

After you apply
  • After an income denial, the window to supply medical-expense evidence is 60 days.
  • CSHCN can consider conditional approval while a required Medicaid or CHIP decision is pending. The program confirms the covered services, dates and available funding before the family relies on it for payment.
Good to know

Medical payments, family support and case management have different rules. Medicaid or CHIP coverage alone does not settle every service.

Other details
  • The clinic’s medical form describes the diagnosis, expected duration, effects on daily life and treatment needs.
  • A noncitizen child can apply without a Medicaid denial first. The family application is Form 3031 and the clinician’s form is 3034.
Official sources
Ask your social worker

“Could CSHCN cover costs our insurance leaves or help our family at home? Could you check the Medicaid overlap and waiting list with us?”

Why I’m asking: I want to know which help is available and whether applying would fill a real gap.

More background and detailed requirements
Additional program information and published rules

Who does what

The three parts, side by side. The agency decides; nobody on this page does.

You

Send the application, two months of income and every coverage notice. Answer requests by their deadlines.

Your social worker

Coordinates the two forms, asks about waiting-list priority, and sorts out which payer is first.

The care team

The oncology clinic completes the medical form with the diagnosis, expected duration, effects on daily life and treatment needs.

Who decides
HHSC CSHCN Services Program decides enrollment, waiting-list placement and covered services
Ask your social worker
“Can you help file the agency form, and ask CSHCN whether we are waiting on documents or on funding?”

How to apply

First step: Call 800-252-8023 or send the CSHCN application. Ask the oncology clinic to complete the medical form.

  1. Call 800-252-8023 for the family application. Ask the oncology clinic to complete the medical form.

Official application / program page ↗

Where it starts: Send the family application and clinician's form. Call 800-252-8023 for help.

What to gather

  • Form 3031
  • Form 3034 from the clinician
  • Two months of income
  • Insurance, CHIP or Medicaid notices
  • Unpaid medical bills, for the spend-down option
  • Form 3031 and 3034

How long: The program confirms conditional eligibility, funding, covered services and dates while a required Medicaid or CHIP decision is pending; conditional processing alone is not a payment guarantee.

What a yes looks like

A notice with program dates and approved services, and a regional case manager.

What a no looks like, and the next move

Ask whether the issue is medical criteria, income, other coverage or funding. A noncitizen child can apply without a Medicaid denial first.

Watch out

  • Medical payments, family support and case management have separate rules. Medicaid or CHIP alone does not establish whether a specific CSHCN support is available.
  • Funding is limited and a waiting list exists. Ask whether you are waiting for documents or for funding.
  • Above the income limit, medical expenses over 12 months may help. Send those records within 60 days after the income denial.

The numbers and the rules

The arcane layer, kept on purpose. Checked September 8, 2026.

What it is worth

CSHCN can help with approved medical costs, travel, case management and family support. Other coverage pays first. The program confirms the requested service, current dollar limit and funding; medical payments and family support have different rules.

Covers: Medical and dental care after other payers · Prescription drugs · Equipment and therapies · Travel and lodging through the Medical Transportation Program · Case management · Family Support Services (respite, home and vehicle changes)

What it costs the family: No premium. Limited funds and a waiting list.

The eligibility facts, as published

Age max exclusive
21
Income percent fpl max
200
Medical
qualifying chronic physical condition; leukemia on criteria
Medicaid rule
Dual eligibility does not permit duplicate benefits. CSHCN confirms whether the particular medical or support service remains available after other coverage.
Spend down
12-month medical-expense look-back; 60-day evidence window
Fss with medicaid
Unknown. The October 15, 2025 Client Guide did not resolve whether a Medicaid-covered child can receive Family Support Services. Ask CSHCN for a written answer.

The trap: CSHCN does not pay medical bills for a Medicaid-eligible child. Ask separately about case management and whether Family Support Services can be approved; the latter remains unconfirmed.

Where I read this

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