Due to federal requirements, MassHealth has removed the parental/guardian affidavit on children's identity from the signature page of the Medical Benefit Request form (MBR). Households must submit documentation proving both citizenship and identity for each child.
Documents that prove the identity of children under age 16 include:
In addition to one of the documents listed above, applicants claiming U.S. citizenship must also submit proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate). "Level 1" documents—a U.S. passport, certificate of naturalization, or certificate of U.S. citizenship—continue to prove both citizenship and identity.
Applicants who do not submit proof of a child’s identity can expect to receive a request for verification (VC-1 notice) including a parental/guardian affidavit that may be signed and returned if no other documentation is available.
Note: Children born to mothers receiving any type of MassHealth no longer need to verify citizenship and identity upon reaching age one.
Identification for Children under the age of 16
All the information that is on the birth certificate is the same information that is being requested on this affidavit isn't this a bit redundant? You are asking the same information that was given on the birth certificate which is a legal document.
re: Identification for Children under the age of 16
Yes, it does seem that the language is basically the same information in the birth certficate... and is also the same basic information that used to be included in an affidavit in the signature page of the MBR. But unlike the birth certificate (which proves citizenship) the affidavit is used to prove identity.
It really does seem like a technicality, and parents/caregivers shouldn't have to jump through hoops; I'd like to see the federal requirement changed.
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