I have another question about my daughter - medial assistance question

Bee_Kay wrote: If my daughter doesn't move back home before her 18th birthday (next month), our insurance company will drop coverage on her.

So, I imagine she will have no choice but to recieve medical assistance.

Anyways, I have been told by a few people that because her and her boyfriend are not married, the state will look to him for reimbursement of whatever welfare assistance her (during the pregnancy) and the baby (during the pregnancy and afterwards) recieve.

His mom, on the other hand, told me that as long as they are together (married or not) the state will not seek reimbursement.

Does anyone know about this?

luvmykids replied: I don't know, our state doesn't do that, they don't seek it from anyone. They consider the mother single and sole applicant if they're not married. Where do you live?

Bee_Kay replied: I live in Minnesota.

I have read on the internet that the state does seek reimbursement from the father and that was confirmed by a social worker.

But, I am just not sure if it makes a difference if they are "together" or not.

We have talked to both of them about this, and they don't seem to care.

C&K*s Mommie replied: You read it on a state website for DCF?? Our state does not do that either, like Monica's state of residence, as a married person you should be more able to repay any debts incurred during PG (although in reality that is not true always) but moreso than an unwed, PG woman. I would call to confirm that again. Not to doubt you. But I would double check. It just does not make any sense.

Besides I am not knowledeable, but a state program like Medicaid (Fl no longer has that) is funded, through a shuffling of the funds of the state. Not directly though 'payments' made by the recipients.

Besides the baby should be able to be covered under Medicaid or anyother state low income program, then after a yr (maybe less) after birth they would may be eligible for another program for children without insurance. All of this is speaking from a FL resident perspective. They (FL) have many insurance programs for children all the way up to 19yrs of age.

Bee_Kay replied: Maybe I have to clarify.

I have no doubt that my daughter and her child would recieve medical assistance.

My only question is:

Would the father (her BF) have to reimburse the state for the assistance was provided for the child?

And of that is true, does it make a difference if they live together or not?

Bee_Kay replied: OK.
I did just call a lady that works with Medical Assistance.

She answered my question.
She said that, yes, the state would seek reimbursement for monies that went towards the child.
But, it is more in the means of child support.

Meaning, being that if she is on assistance when the baby is born, an automatic child support order is put into effect.
If the father does have a job, then money is taken from his check. A portion of that check goes to the mother and a portion goes to the State for reimbursement of any monies that went to the welfare of the child.

If he doesn't have a job, the State just sits and waits. Or they can be more agressive. Take drivers license, jail, ect.

Kinda scary.

The lady's advice: Hope and pray your daughter makes the choice to come home before she turns 18.

She wasn't sure about my question of the co-habitate in someone else's (his mothers) household.

luvmykids replied: Well, would telling your daughter and BF any of that help get her home, telling them that you can help pay for the baby that way, and if not it's going to come back on him?

Bee_Kay replied: Well, we have told my daughter, she doesn't say much.

As far as the BF, I don't know. His demeanor is so immature. Everything is a joke to him. He takes nothing seriously (admitted to me by his mother).

So, yeah it was shocking to actually hear from someone that actually works in that field to confirm what I wasn't sure about.

I also asked about if he would be responsible if they live together. She asked where they live, I said with his mother.
She said that if they had their own place, then probably not, if he was supporting the child.
But, they would base any assistance based on the mothers income as long as they live there.

It just seems to be a no-win situation for them.

If they live at the mothers house, she won't recieve very much, because it is income based on the mothers income).
If they live on their own, it will be tough (rent, bills, baby items, food, they have no car, ect.)

Unless I missed something, it seems that the only thing that makes sense and makes their life easier is for her to move home.

I wish I could get through to her.

luvmykids replied:
You didn't miss something, you're a concerned mom with a clear head. ITA thats what needs to happen, I might feel diff if he wasn't controlling/manipulating. Wish I could do something to help.

Edward's Mommy replied: If she's still a student or going to school of some sort (even part time) then they can't drop her. At least, that's what my mom told me.

Edward's Mommy replied:
It doesn't make any difference if they are together. If one or both have a job and they don't qualify for welfare assisstance (i,e. they make too much money between them) then they will have to pay it back. But if neither of them have a job, one or both of them will have to get assisstance from the state on getting a job. I had to use assisstance from the state, and DH and I applied together and I had to drop him from everything because I made $7 an hour and I was almost making too much by myself to even qualify. The only time they would have to pay it back is if they lie about something on the application and welfare offices investigate EVERYTHING!! As long as they don't make too much money or if they don't lie on the applications then they won't have to pay. And chances are, if they aren't married, then your daughter will have to apply for herself and the pregnancy. And if the state covers her, then medicaid will take care of all doctors visits, the birth, and the baby will be covered by medicaid until it turns 18. She will need a doctor's note when she applies to prove she is pregnant.

Bee_Kay replied: OK. The way it was explained to me is this:

If she doesn't live here by the time she turns 18, she is legally emancipated from our care.
At the age of 18 (and more so if she doesn't live here) these are her responsibilities that I found out:

* Support herself financially.
* Get her own medical insurance.
* Pay all of her own bills.


But, if she does choose to live here then she is considered a dependent (even though she is 18).

When she turns 18 (and chooses to live elsewhere) she gives up the right of parental support.

luvmykids replied:
True, but thats where financial assistance comes in. At least in our state, if you're pg and below a certain income level, you qualify. And it's not to be paid back, it's just covered under medicaid. To add to that, she probably couldn't find insurance anyway, most will not cover pg unless it's a group plan through an employer.

I think the next step is for her to start applying for that, regardless of what happens next. It can take a while to be in affect, so she needs to start now.

luvmykids replied: sorry, double posted

Cece00 replied: OK dont quote me 100% on this b/c I dont know the particulars of the laws in your state....

BUT- if she goes on welfare, he will automatically be sued by the state for child support. He may or may not pay back the Medicaid, it depends on your state (my state does not require fathers to pay this back). I do not think it will matter if they are living together or even "together"...if she gets assistance in her name only he will be required to pay it back through child support.

You could easily call an atty- a lot of them will give 30 min consultations for free, you could bring your daughter and let him/her explain the particulars to your daughter, which MAY convince her to move home.

Your daughter is 17, right? Is she allowed to be out of your home like she is? IN a lot of states, a child can not leave home @ 17. You say you want her back home, I'd ask an atty about that, too, b/c you could force her to come back home. I dont know how long until she is 18, but you may consider that.

C&K*s Mommie replied: Monica is right, noone will insure her if she trys to get medical insurance after she is PG.

My SIL went through something very similiar, but so far it has a happy ending. She is married to this man, although he was not controlling he was similiar to your daughters BF in other ways. She did not move out until after the baby was born, less than a month after she graduated high school. They too also live less than a mile from my IL's (her parents). Long story short, they are married now. With 3 children, one set of twins & the oldest boy.

To be honest, no one thought anything would come of their relationship. Her family hoped it would all come to an end, and she would come to her senses after all the turmoil she was going through with him. That was, until he married her, and everything about him changed-- almost overnight.

All that is to say is that all is not lost. Keep the love for her strong, she will eventually find her way home.