Announcements and News
Helping to change lives in Mississippi
Change in SNAP Cases due to increase in Federal Benefits
JANUARY 2022 THERE MAY BE A CHANGE IN YOUR CASE DUE TO INCREASES IN SOME FEDERAL BENEFITS Some Federal Benefits, such as Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans Benefits (VA) or Railroad Retirement, may increase due to a cost-of-living adjustment. If your household income goes up because of this increase, the amount of SNAP benefits and/or TANF your household receives may go down, or your case may even be closed. Households have the right to request a fair hearing and continued benefits based on improper calculation of benefits or misapplication of Federal law. Contact your county Department [...]
Energy Assistance Programs Benefit Mississippi Families
(Jackson, Miss.) – Thousands of Mississippians won’t have to worry about staying warm, thanks to a program offered by the Mississippi Department of Human Services. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs. This important resource provides financial assistance to eligible households in managing costs associated with: Home Energy bills Energy Crisis Weatherization Repair or replacement of heaters or furnaces Households may qualify for LIHEAP assistance for natural gas, wood, electricity, liquid propane/butane gas, and other energy-related services. Multiple Mississippi utilities and the Mississippi Department [...]
MDHS Announces Additional Benefits for December
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, households currently receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be eligible for a supplemental benefit for December 2021. December will also be a 'transition' month before going back to standard SNAP benefit allotments for all households. After that time, you will receive your regular monthly benefit pre-pandemic. 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 [...]
SNAP Fraud Investigation Leads to Arrest in Marion County
(Jackson, Miss.) – A Marion County, Miss. resident has been arrested for SNAP fraud following an investigation conducted by the Investigations Division of the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS). Investigators found that Shayla Cartier received an over-issuance of SNAP benefits in the amount of $26,161.00 due to Cartier fraudulently receiving benefits for failure to report income and household composition accurately. Due to the substantial amount of overpayment and the evidence of alleged fraud found during the investigation, the case was turned over to Marion County District Attorney to be presented to the Grand Jury for criminal prosecution. [...]
SHIP is here to help answer your Medicare questions
With Medicare Open Enrollment running through December 7, 2021, the Mississippi Department of Human Services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services is available to assist citizens and their caregivers in understanding Medicare benefits and health insurance options. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a counseling program designed to answer people’s questions about health insurance. SHIP volunteers help citizens and caregivers understand Medicare benefits; organize doctor and hospital bills; file Medicare appeals; review Medicare Supplemental Insurance; evaluate Medicare+ Choice or Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) options; understand Medicaid eligibility; and explore long-term care options. Whether it [...]
P-EBT School Year 2020 – 2021 has been issued
The Mississippi Department of Human Services and the Mississippi Department of Education have issued P-EBT benefits for the 2020-21 school year. Approximately 185,000 Mississippi students will receive these P-EBT benefits because they were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch and attended a school that had a predominately hybrid or virtual schedule for at least one month the 2020-21 school year. The amount that children eligible for 2020-21 school year P-EBT benefits will receive was determined by their school’s reported learning schedule during that year. The total 2020-21 school year benefit disbursement to Mississippi school children is estimated to [...]
