DHHS NEWS RELEASE
Due to the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to integrate electronic health insurance application processes by Oct. 1, 2013, the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS) must take its electronic system off-line in order to make all necessary changes. As a result, the public assistance application website, Access Nevada, will be down and not available for 10 days from Sept. 21 – 30.
Those applying for public assistance, such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF – cash assistance), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly known as food stamps) or Nevada Medicaid can still apply during this time but must use paper applications. Paper applications can be printed from the Division’s web site at DWSS.NV.gov, obtained from a local Welfare Office or picked up from a Family Resource Center.
ACCESS NV will be back online Tuesday, Oct. 1 at www.dwss.nv.gov.
“While we know this will be an inconvenience for those who are accustomed to using the on-line process to apply for benefits, we are very excited about the improvements that will be made to the system during the temporary removal of the on-line application process,” said Mike McMahon, administrator of the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services. “Nevada will be among the first states to help bridge the gap that exists in our current health care delivery model, and thank Governor Sandoval for his leadership in this process.”
The Affordable Care Act has provided additional federal funding which has enabled Nevada to make Medicaid eligibility available to adults aged 19 through 64 with low income and no dependent children in the home. Previously, this group of Nevadans was only eligible for Medicaid if they met additional eligibility requirements such as receiving SSI or Medicare. Medicaid eligibility for this group becomes effective Jan. 1, 2014, and individuals can begin applying for these benefits in November.
For more information about the ACA requirement to have minimum essential health coverage by Jan. 1, 2014, visit the Nevada Health Link web site at www.nevadahealthlink.com or call toll free 855-7-NVLINK (855-768-5465).
