Announcements and News
Helping to change lives in Mississippi
MDHS statement on SNAP replacement benefits for counties affected by severe weather
Requests for replacement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits due to the severe weather on January 10-11, 2020 will be accepted and processed according to policy at the Mississippi Department of Human Services offices in affected counties. Requests for replacement must be made within 10 days of the disaster occurrence or loss. Those interested should check with their respective county office to determine eligibility. Households not currently receiving SNAP Benefits may apply for SNAP at their county Department of Human Services Office or online at https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/economic-assistance/snap/ ###
MDHS Executive Director to step down
MDHS Executive Director to step down (Jackson, Miss.) – MDHS Executive Director Christopher Freeze announced his resignation today, effective January 14, 2020. Freeze, who was appointed head of the agency by Governor Phil Bryant on August 1, 2019, had worked toward the mission of helping Mississippians move from a state of crisis to a state of self-sufficiency utilizing a trauma-informed approach. Prior to assuming the position of executive director at MDHS, Freeze had served as Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Mississippi. “I am grateful to Gov. Phil Bryant for appointing me to this position, and [...]
MDHS program brings year-round holiday cheer to thousands of Mississippians
(Jackson, Miss.) – The holiday season will be a little bit brighter for thousands of aging Mississippians thanks to a program offered by the Mississippi Department of Human Services. The Home Delivered Meals program (HDM), made possible by the Older Americans Act of 1965, provides eligible homebound, functionally impaired persons, particularly those in greatest economic and social need, five nutritious meals per week. Through the program, 125,000 meals are delivered each month to 7,073 homes across the state. The meals are delivered by drivers with Trio Food Services, who develop relationships with the beneficiaries and are therefore an [...]
MDHS statement concerning USDA revisions to waiver on SNAP benefits for ABAWD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, December 5, 2019 Contact: The Mississippi Department of Human Services, Office of Communications Danny Blanton, (601) 359-4612, danny.blanton@mdhs.ms.gov OR Vanessa C. Lowe, (601) 359-4183, vanessa.lowe@mdhs.ms.gov MDHS statement concerning USDA revisions to waiver on SNAP benefits for ABAWD (Jackson, Miss.) – The ruling by the United States Department of Agriculture revising the conditions under which the USDA would waive, when requested by the states, the able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) time limit for receiving SNAP benefits will not affect the State of Mississippi. House Bill 1090, The Act to Restore Hope Opportunity and Prosperity for [...]
MDHS launches one-stop guide for resources available to all Mississippians
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, November 14, 2019 Contact: The Mississippi Department of Human Services, Office of Communications Danny Blanton, (601) 359-4612, danny.blanton@mdhs.ms.gov OR Vanessa C. Lowe, (601) 359-4183, vanessa.lowe@mdhs.ms.gov MDHS launches one-stop guide for resources available to all Mississippians (Jackson, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Human Services recently launched a statewide initiative to provide a “one-stop” online guide for all Mississippians to find a variety of resources and services available throughout the state. My Resources is a collaborative effort that allows visitors to search available resources across all divisions within MDHS. The provider service types available include Economic Development, [...]