Katie Beckett Program for State of Tennessee

Katie Beckett application process Checklist:

Child Information

☐ Full legal name

☐ Date of birth

☐ Social Security Number (if available)

☐ Birth certificate (recommended)

☐ Proof of Tennessee residency (utility bill, lease, school record)

Parent / Guardian Information

☐ Photo ID for parent(s) or legal guardian(s)

☐ Proof of custody or guardianship (if applicable)

☐ Current address, phone number, and email

Financial Documents

(Required for TennCare review; parental income does not automatically disqualify Katie Beckett)

☐ Pay stubs (most recent 30 days)

☐ Most recent tax return (if available)

☐ Documentation of other income (SSI, SSDI, child support, pensions)

☐ Proof of health insurance premiums paid for the child

☐ Child’s assets/resources (bank account, trust, if applicable)

Medical & Disability Records

☐ Physician diagnosis letter(s)

☐ Medical records supporting diagnosis

☐ Hospital discharge summaries (if applicable)

☐ Specialist reports (neurology, genetics, psychiatry, etc.)

☐ Documentation showing condition is expected to last 12 months or longer

Evaluations & Therapy Reports

☐ Psychological evaluation

☐ Developmental evaluation

☐ Speech therapy evaluation

☐ Occupational therapy evaluation

☐ Physical therapy evaluation

☐ Behavioral assessment (if applicable)

Educational Records (If Applicable)

☐ Current IEP or 504 Plan

☐ School evaluations or reports

☐ Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)

☐ TEIS / Early Intervention records (if under age 3)

Care & Support Needs

☐ List of current services (therapy, nursing, behavioral supports)

☐ Provider letters describing supervision or care needs

☐ Documentation of ADL support needs (feeding, toileting, safety, mobility)\

Insurance Information

☐ Private insurance card(s)

☐ Explanation of Benefits (EOBs), if available

☐ Insurance denial or coverage limitation letters (helpful, not required)

Optional but Helpful

☐ Daily care or supervision logs

☐ Letters of support from providers

☐ Caregiver impact statement

✔ Organization Tips

• Keep documents in one folder labeled “Katie Beckett – TN”

• Save files as PDFs for upload to TennCare Connect

• Keep copies of everything submitted

Your child has to be reviewed and financially denied by TennCare before they can be approved for the Katie Beckett program.

There are two different agencies involved in this process: TennCare and the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging (DDA). Both agencies may contact you for information. They use different systems, so they do not share documents or information with each other.

Step One: Start with the Self-Referral

The first step is for the parent or caregiver to complete a self-referral through TennCare Connect.

You can get started by creating an account and completing the self-referral online here:
TennCare Connect: https://tenncareconnect.tn.gov/services/homepage

If you need help setting up your account, TennCare also has instructional videos here:
https://www.tn.gov/tenncare/members-applicants/tenncare-connect-instructional-videos.html

If you do not have access to a computer, a DDA case manager can help you complete the application. You can contact your regional DDA office here:

West Tennessee Regional Office: (866) 372-5709
Middle Tennessee Regional Office: (800) 654-4839
East Tennessee Regional Office: (888) 531-9876

Step Two: Send Financial Information to TennCare

After you complete the self-referral, TennCare will contact you to request financial documents. They may ask for several different items during that part of the process.

Children are grouped into 3 tiers. Tier 1 is for children with complex medical and behavioral needs. Tier 2 is for children who have complex needs, but their needs aren’t as high as Tier 1. These children can have medical, behavioral, or functional needs. Tier 1 will enroll in Part A. Other children can enroll for Part B while waiting. Part A receives $15,000/year and is enrolled in Medicaid. Part B receives $10,000/year.   

There are a limited number of slots available in both Part A and Part B. Part A is based on the level of need, while Part B is on a first come first first-served basis. An individual can remain in the program until 18 if they continue to meet all qualifications.   

There is a third tier, Part C, which is for children who currently have Medicaid, but their coverage is ending due to an increase in income or resources. If a child would qualify for Part A, but there is no available slot, this tier would allow them to keep their Medicaid coverage until a Part A slot opens. Individuals in Part C will NOT receive Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS).   

A common question families ask is whether there are income limits for the Katie Beckett program. The important thing to understand is that eligibility is not based on the parents’ income.

Instead, financial eligibility is based on the child’s assets only. This means the program looks at resources in the child’s name, not the parents’ income or financial situation.

Unless a child has substantial assets, such as a large savings account or property in their name, family income and resources typically do not affect eligibility. Because of this, many families who would not qualify for other programs due to income may still be able to receive support through Katie Beckett.