Announcements and News
Helping to change lives in Mississippi
MDHS announces additional benefits for June
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, households currently receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be eligible for a supplemental benefit for June 2020. Similar benefits were provided for certified SNAP households for the months of March, April, and May 2020. SNAP households that have been certified based on meeting income and resource requirements are eligible to receive the supplement benefits. These households will receive benefit supplements up to the maximum benefit amount, based on household size. For example, the maximum benefit for a 2-person household is $355. A 2-person household authorized to receive $200 for June will receive an additional [...]
Federal Government releases directive that will affect Emergency SNAP benefits
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued guidance that will require states to count income from federal unemployment payments as household income for SNAP eligibility. According to the guidance issued: “Pandemic unemployment assistance payments, pandemic unemployment compensation, and pandemic emergency unemployment compensation authorized under CARES Act are considered unearned income for the purposes of determining a household’s SNAP eligibility and benefit amount.” Under these rules, those receiving pandemic unemployment benefits will exceed the income threshold for receiving SNAP benefits. Those previously receiving SNAP benefits will have their cases closed upon receipt [...]
MDHS issues RFI for a forensic audit of the agency
MDHS Executive Director Robert G. “Bob” Anderson issued a Request for Information (RFI) today to select an accounting firm to conduct a forensic audit of the agency. The issuance represents another example of his commitment to ensure transparency and accountability. “Governor Reeves selected me to ensure the Department of Human Services takes every measure possible to provide tangible help for the people who need it most,” Anderson said. “This audit will provide us the opportunity to see what should be sustained and what areas need the most improvement.” “The single-audit report released today clearly demonstrates the amount of [...]
MDHS secures funding for new water well for Leflore County
Residents have been without water since July 2019 The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) was awarded a $63,000 grant from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services to provide a new water well for citizens in Schlater, Mississippi in rural Leflore County. The well was lost due to the historic flooding last year, and residents have been without water since July 2019. Due to the lack of running water, the families are facing indescribable challenges to sanitation, safe housing, and health and safety. “It’s hard [...]
MDHS announces additional benefits for May
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, households currently receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be eligible for a supplemental benefit for May 2020. Similar benefits were provided for certified SNAP households for the months of March and April 2020. SNAP households that have been certified based on meeting income and resource requirements are eligible to receive the supplement benefits. These households will receive benefit supplements up to the maximum benefit amount, based on household size. For example, the maximum benefit for a 2-person household is $355. A 2-person household authorized to receive $200 for May will receive an additional $155, [...]
FAQs on Economic Impact (Stimulus) Payments and the Treasury Offset Program
On March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a national emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. MDHS has received information from the Treasury Offset Program (TOP), which collects federal nontax and state debts, and MDHS has prepared the following frequently asked questions (FAQs) to address inquiries during this crisis. These FAQs are based on information available to MDHS at this time, and MDHS will update these FAQs as new information becomes available.On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act, which, among other things, authorizes economic impact payments (also [...]