Medicaid and claiming a dependent

[cwhittaker147]

I live in a house hold of 3. Myself, my girlfriend and our son. According to her, when she filled out the forms for both of them to receive medicaid (I have my own ins.) It asked if she would be claiming him as a dependent on her taxes (apparently this is the only way she would qualify?) so she said yes. My question is, why does them having medicaid, mean she has to claim him on her taxes? Why can't I?

[xmasbaby0]

That is a question for Medicaid.

[TaxGuyBill]

Whether or not they have Medicaid has nothing to do with you being able to claim him as a dependent.  If you qualify to claim him, you are able to.

However, if you claim your son as a dependent, it will likely disqualify your girlfriend for Medicaid.

Also, although rules vary by state, your son's eligibility for Medicaid is likely based on your combined incomes (because you all live together).  So you need to let the Medicaid office know the entire situation.