Benefits · Healthcare
How to apply for JPS Connection — Tarrant County Healthcare Coverage for the Uninsured
JPS Health Network — Tarrant County's public hospital system; operates John Peter Smith Hospital (JPS, a Level I trauma center), the JPS Behavioral Health Center, multiple Health Centers across Tarrant County, and a network of community clinics; administers JPS Connection for uninsured Tarrant County residents
Who it's for
JPS Health Network is Tarrant County's public hospital system — operating John Peter Smith Hospital (JPS, a Level I trauma center), the JPS Behavioral Health Center, multiple Health Centers across Tarrant County, and a network of community clinics. JPS Connection is JPS's principal financial assistance program for UNINSURED Tarrant County residents — providing healthcare coverage to patients whose household monthly GROSS income is at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Income Limit (FPIL). The 250% FPL threshold is the MOST GENEROUS among Texas public hospital district programs modeled (Harris Health at 150% FPL, Parkland Dallas/University Health Bexar/Central Health Travis at 200% FPL, JPS Tarrant at 250% FPL). Patients are tiered: those with income BELOW 100% FPL receive maximum assistance; those between 101-250% FPL receive sliding-scale assistance. Applicants must be Tarrant County residents AND U.S. Citizens or Legal Permanent Residents AND uninsured. JPS Connection covers primary care, specialty care, hospital inpatient and outpatient, emergency care, prescription drugs, behavioral health, and dental at all JPS facilities. To apply, mail the JPS Connection application to JPS Enrollment & Eligibility Center at 101 W. Allen Ave, Fort Worth TX 76110, complete the online application at ola.veritysource.com/jps, or call 817-702-1001.
JPS Connection's 250% FPL income gate is the MOST GENEROUS among Texas public hospital district programs modeled — Harris Health at 150% FPL, Parkland Dallas/University Health Bexar/Central Health Travis at 200% FPL. This means middle-income Tarrant County uninsured residents who would NOT qualify for assistance at peer TX public hospitals DO qualify at JPS. Tarrant County residency AND U.S. Citizenship/Legal Permanent Resident status are REQUIRED — DACA recipients and certain other non-citizens are not eligible. Annual recertification required. For Tarrant County residents on Medicare, JPS Connection provides COMPLEMENTARY coverage for Medicare copays, deductibles, and uncovered services. JPS Health Network covers the homeless, unemployed, those who do not qualify for Medicaid, and recent Tarrant County movers — explicitly framed as the indigent safety net for Fort Worth/Tarrant. Apply by mail, online at ola.veritysource.com/jps, or call 817-702-1001.
What you'll need
- Completed JPS Connection application
- Proof of all household income (paycheck stubs, Social Security award letter, pension statement, SSI award letter, tax return, self-employment forms)
- Proof of Tarrant County residency (utility bill, lease, or government correspondence dated within the prior 60 days)
- Photo identification for the applicant
- Documentation of U.S. Citizenship OR Legal Permanent Resident status
- Proof of uninsured status (Medicaid denial letter, lack of insurance documentation)
- Documentation of household members and ages
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 817-702-1001
Renewals
annual recertification required
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.