SUCCESS STORY - Access for Central Texans - Karina's Story
An Access for Central Texans Success Story, a program of Catholic Charities.
Read Karina's Story
For eight years, Karina tried to save what little money she could so that she could pay for her children’s medical check-ups and routine health screenings. Usually, however, the little money that she had managed to save wasn’t enough to fully cover her children’s medical expenses.
For Karina, a mother of two young children and soon to be mother of a third child, living without health insurance for her children or her self was a stressful and emotional experience.
When her first child was born, she sought assistance to help pay for her child’s health care expenses. She was referred to the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) which provides free or low-cost health care coverage that helps pay for doctor visits, prescriptions, and other
medical expenses.
“When my first child was born, I applied for CHIP but my application was denied,” said Karina. “I was surprised because my social worker at the time had said that I was eligible. I tried to go back to my social worker but because they had already helped me and I had already received the applications and the information about CHIP, I was not able to meet with her.”
Karina made several more attempts to enroll in the program but was unsuccessful. “A year went by and I tried again to apply for CHIP, but again I was denied. I wouldn’t get a reason as to why I was denied or what errors I had done during the application process that caused my applications to be denied,” commented Karina.
“I resubmitted my application several more times and in the meantime I juggled my expenses saving what little I could and hoping that my children wouldn’t get sick or injured,” said Karina. “When I became pregnant with my third child, that’s when I really started to fall apart emotionally.”
“When Karina came to Catholic Charities and the Access for Central Texans program, she was more worried than ever,” said Victoria Torres Rogers, Program Coordinator for the Access for Central Texas program, which helps families enroll in state benefits programs such as CHIP. “Before, she had been barely managing to get by financially, but now with a third child on the way, and having recently had an urgent visit to the emergency room with a sick child, she was scared for her family’s health.”
“When I heard about Catholic Charities’ program that helps people enroll in state benefits, I was so excited that I could actually go speak to someone in person about the application process,” added Karina. “The greatest thing about this program is that Catholic Charities helps with the entire application process, all the way until the very end of the application process.”
“I just wanted to get enrolled in this program so that I could have peace of mind and know that I wasn’t risking my children’s health.” added Karina.
“We sat with Karina and went over her application and her documentation and realized that she had made a few errors in how she had been submitting her information which was causing her application to be declined,” added Torres Rogers.
Karina’s application has finally been accepted. Her children have since visited the doctor’s office several times, one for a sprained ankle and the other for a high fever.
“It was nice to be able to go in to the doctor right when my children needed it most, instead of worrying about how to pay for the doctor and for rent or food at the same time.”
Karina and her children are doing well. Both children have fully recovered. Karina is excited about her upcoming pregnancy in the next few months.
Access for Central Texans Program
The Access for Central Texans program provides free one-on-one assistance with the application process for state benefits or can help answer any questions that a person may have about their current benefits.
Residents of Travis, Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, Williamson, Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, and McLennan counties can call toll free 1-866-203-8083 or visit www.ccctx.org for a complete list of locations, dates and times when a Catholic Charities staff will be in the area.
Assistance is available with the following state benefits applications: Children’s Health Insurance Program – CHIP, Children’s Health Insurance Program Perinatal – CHIP Perinatal, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Long-term Case Management services for the elderly or disabled.
This service is provided thanks to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, who through a generous grant, have made it possible for Catholic Charities to provide help and create hope for the many poor and vulnerable households in Central Texas.
Dates and Locations
Click here for the latest monthly schedule.