MDHS Shares Resources Available for Residents Affected by Recent Severe Weather

MDHS Shares Resources Available for Residents Affected by Recent  

Severe Weather on March 24 – 25  

SNAP replacement benefits and energy assistance programs available to residents 

 (Jackson, Miss.) The Mississippi Department of Human Services is sharing resources for households impacted by the recent severe weather in Mississippi.  

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households in north Mississippi that experienced food loss due to the recent severe weather may request a replacement of SNAP benefits.  

If food purchased with SNAP benefits was destroyed due to a disaster, such as a flood or other severe weather, households may receive a replacement of SNAP benefits. Replacement benefits may be provided in the amount of the loss to the household, but no more than the maximum amount of SNAP benefits issued for the month.  

To request a replacement of SNAP benefits, households must report the disaster to their local MDHS office within ten (10) days of the date of the disaster.  

The replacement request form (MDHS-EA-508) may be accessed online here http://www.mdhs.ms.gov/snap-replacement-benefits-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/. Households may submit the replacement request form by mail, email, or uploading to the MDHS website (www.mdhs.ms.gov).  

If you need assistance with this process, don’t hesitate to contact the Economic Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-948-3050. Households not currently receiving SNAP Benefits may apply for SNAP through their county Department of Human Services Office or online at SNAP – Mississippi Department of Human Service (www.mdhs.ms.gov) 

For residences that incurred damages to their electrical meters, the Mississippi Department of Human Services Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) may be able to help with the costs of repairs.  

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides financial assistance to eligible households for managing costs associated with repair or replacement of electrical meters in their residence. 

To be eligible for LIHEAP, the applicant’s household income must be at or below 60% of the state median income. That is approximately $22,140 for a single-person household, $ 28,952 for a two-person household, and $35,765 for a three-person household.  

To check eligibility or to apply, please visit www.access.ms.gov to complete the eligibility prescreening tool. 

Once an application is submitted, the local Community Action Agency will contact the resident for an appointment. For more information regarding LIHEAP, please visit LIHEAP – Mississippi Department of Human Services (www.mdhs.ms.gov)