Dictionary: Your Guide to Frequently Used Words for Receiving Benefits

You may hear people use many different words when talking about
government health programs. Please use the following list as a guide.

State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
This federal program provides free and low-cost health insurance for children of low-income families. The benefits include health insurance for many health care services, such as vaccinations and regular doctor visits. Each state operates a program using its own name. For example, in New Mexico the program is called New Mexikids and in Georgia it's called PeachCare.

Medicaid
This public program provides coverage for health services such as regular doctor visits, dental care, eye care, and hospital care to low-income families and the low-income elderly.

Community Health Centers
Community health centers are places where adults and children can receive health services such as check-ups, vaccinations, eye exams, health education, tuberculosis tests, screening for diabetes and high blood pressure, family planning, pre-natal care, confidential testing for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS, counseling and prescriptions, among other services. In some cases, community health centers also provide transportation. Some community health centers also have bilingual medical staff.

General Assistance (GA)
These words refer to cash benefits that some states or local governments provide to low-income families.

Migrant Health Centers
Migrant health centers help migrant families obtain health services for themselves and their children.

Public Charge
The Department of Justice/Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) may determine you to be a "public charge" if you are "primarily dependent on the government for subsistence as demonstrated by either the receipt of public cash assistance for income maintenance or institutionalization for long-term care at government expense." Public health benefits, other than institutionalization, will not be considered by immigration officials.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI is a program from the government that pays monthly checks to people who are blind, have a disability or are 65 or older and who don’t own much or have little income. SSI is not just for adults. Monthly checks can go to disabled and blind children, too.

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
This program offers temporary cash assistance for families. The program also offers job training and related services to help families become self-sufficient.

Remember … Protect Your Family’s Health …with Confidence!
1-877-543-7669
(1-877-KIDS-NOW)
Your call is free and confidential.

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