• Mississippi offers Medicaid benefits to those in need.USA states series: Mississippi. Political map with counties image by Stasys Eidiejus from Fotolia.com
  
  If you reside in the state of Mississippi and need medical insurance for you and your family, you could be eligible for Medicaid benefits. Medicaid is a government program designed to insure those who cannot afford insurance. Medicaid covers low-income children, pregnant women and families. In any case, the applicant will have several criteria to meet before becoming eligible to receive state benefits.
  
  

How It Works

• The Medicaid system has grown convoluted over the years and unfortunately there are many people who have scammed the system. Requirements have become more stringent with certain protocols put into place to mitigate potential fraud. No longer will a sob story (and everybody has one) simply work, as applicants must submit documentation to prove their situations.
  
  

What You Will Need to Qualify

• According to the Mississippi Medicaid government website, the applicant must be a citizen of the United States or permanent resident as well as a resident of Mississippi. The applicant must submit an application to the Medicaid Regional Office that serves her respective area, meet requirements (age and/or disability, income, etc.) and provide requested verification to a Medicaid specialist.
  
  

Other Eligibility Factors

• One of the primary factors used to determine eligibility is your level of income. Medicaid derives its calculations from federal guidelines based on the department's poverty research data. The U.S. Health & Human Services 2009 Poverty Guidelines defines the poverty level for a family of four to be no more than $22,050 a year.
  
  

Other Benefits

• Mississippi Medicaid eligibility has also extended to those already receiving other types of aid. For instance, a family receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) loses their income they can receive from Medicaid for up to 12 months. Also, any low-income seniors or disabled recipients of Social Security Income (SSI) may be eligible. Even current Medicare recipients can be eligible if they meet guidelines.
  
  

You're Eligible, Now What?

• Once you've been accepted to receive Mississippi Medicaid you'll want to maintain financial and medical records because--as with most programs--you must periodically re-apply. Apply early. Bureaucratic procedure can be a daunting, slow process, and even at its most efficient it is slowed by the sheer amount of paperwork. If there is a clerical error or lapse in any compliance with the paperwork, your receipt of benefits can be threatened.