(JACKSON, MISS) — The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), Office of Inspector General, Division of Investigation, announced a Lauderdale County resident has entered into a plea agreement following an MDHS investigation into welfare fraud.

Natisha Forest of Lauderdale County entered a plea agreement with the District Attorney in Lauderdale County Circuit Court on March 16, 2026, related to fraudulent receipt of public assistance benefits. The investigation determined that Forest improperly received $36,860.00 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by failing to accurately report her household composition and household income.

MDHS recovered $5,065.12 of the original $36,860.00 claim before the court proceeding concluded. Forest was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay fines, fees, and restitution totaling $32,885.88.

“This is a great example of collaboration between our investigations team, MDHS county offices, District Attorneys, and local law enforcement,” said Sandra Griffith, MDHS Inspector General.

The investigation was conducted by Agent Reginald Adams with the MDHS Office of Inspector General’s Division of Investigation. Established in 2018, the Division is responsible for detecting, preventing, and deterring fraud, waste, and abuse and has recovered millions in SNAP overpayments since its inception.

“This investigation and plea agreement demonstrate, once again, the controls we have put in place to identify, investigate, and eliminate fraud in our programs; plainly, those controls are working,” said Robert G. (“Bob”) Anderson, MDHS Executive Director.

Suspected fraud can be reported to MDHS at any time by submitting the Fraud Tip Form online at https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/report-fraud/, calling the Fraud Tip Line at 1‑800‑299‑6905, or emailing fraud@mdhs.ms.gov.

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(JACKSON, MISS) — The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), Office of Inspector General, Division of Investigation, announced a Pearl River County resident has entered into a plea agreement following an MDHS investigation into welfare fraud.

Betsy Johnson of Pearl River County entered a plea agreement with the District Attorney in Pearl River County Circuit Court on March 2, 2026, related to fraudulent receipt of public assistance benefits. The investigation determined that Johnson improperly received $22,111.00 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by failing to accurately report her household composition and household income.

Johnson was sentenced to six years of probation and ordered to pay fines, fees, restitution, and investigative costs totaling $23,439.20.

“This is a great example of collaboration between our investigations team, MDHS county offices, District Attorneys, and local law enforcement,” said Sandra Griffith, MDHS Inspector General.

The investigation was conducted by Agent Blake Edwards with the MDHS Office of Inspector General’s Division of Investigation. Established in 2018, the Division is responsible for detecting, preventing, and deterring fraud, waste, and abuse and has recovered millions in SNAP overpayments since its inception.

“This investigation and plea agreement demonstrate, once again, the controls we have put in place to identify, investigate, and eliminate fraud in our programs; plainly, those controls are working,” said MDHS Executive Director Robert G. “Bob” Anderson.

Suspected fraud can be reported to MDHS at any time by submitting the Fraud Tip Form online at https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/report-fraud/, calling the Fraud Tip Line at 1‑800‑299‑6905, or emailing fraud@mdhs.ms.gov.

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(JACKSON, MISS) — The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), Office of Inspector General, Division of Investigation, announced a Kemper County resident has entered into a plea agreement following an MDHS investigation into welfare fraud.

Michelle Clay of Kemper County entered a plea agreement with the District Attorney in Kemper County Circuit Court on March 4, 2026, related to fraudulent receipt of public assistance benefits. The investigation determined that Clay improperly received $30,864.00 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by failing to accurately report her household composition and household income.

Clay was sentenced to fifteen years of probation and ordered to pay fines, fees, restitution, and investigative costs totaling $32,301.00.

“This is a great example of collaboration between our investigations team, MDHS county offices, District Attorneys, and local law enforcement,” said Sandra Griffith, MDHS Inspector General.

The investigation was conducted by Agent-in-Charge Kevin Baysinger with the MDHS Office of Inspector General’s Division of Investigation. Established in 2018, the Division is responsible for detecting, preventing, and deterring fraud, waste, and abuse and has recovered millions in SNAP overpayments since its inception.

“This investigation and plea agreement demonstrate, once again, the controls we have put in place to identify, investigate, and eliminate fraud in our programs; plainly, those controls are working,” said MDHS Executive Director Robert G. “Bob” Anderson.

Suspected fraud can be reported to MDHS at any time by submitting the Fraud Tip Form online at https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/report-fraud/, calling the Fraud Tip Line at 1‑800‑299‑6905, or emailing fraud@mdhs.ms.gov.

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JACKSON, MS – The Mississippi Department of Human Services is pleased to announce that the issuance of remaining November SNAP benefits is currently underway. Clients can expect their total benefit balance to be available as soon as today. 

SNAP clients are encouraged to check their account balance to confirm receipt of benefits.  

Per current USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) guidance, full December benefits are expected to be issued on time. 

As benefits are distributed, SNAP recipients are advised to:  

• Register for a Connect EBT account and save ConnectEBT to their cell phone home screen to change their PIN after every use to reduce their risk of being the victim of fraud and skimming. (See TUTORIAL) 

• Monitor all account transactions and report any suspicious activity to MDHS. https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/help/snap/snap-fraud/ 

• Follow MDHS social media channels for the latest updates on benefit funding and program announcements. 

For the latest details, visit www.mdhs.ms.gov or follow official MDHS social channels.  

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JACKSON, MS – Following official guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) will issue full November SNAP benefits as soon as possible.

MDHS will begin issuance as soon as possible to clients with issuance dates of November 4^th through 13^th.  This follows the announcement of partial benefit issuance on Monday.

Clients with issuance dates between November 14^th and 21^st will receive up to 65% of their November SNAP benefit amount based on household size and circumstance on their regularly scheduled issuance date.  Remaining November benefits will be issued separately and as soon as possible.  We appreciate your patience as we work to ensure 100% of November SNAP benefits are issued.

SNAP recipients are advised to:

• Register for a Connect EBT account and save ConnectEBT to their cell phone home screen to change their PIN after every use to reduce their risk of being the victim of fraud and skimming. (See TUTORIAL)

• Monitor all account transactions and report any suspicious activity to MDHS. https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/help/snap/snap-fraud/
• Ensure all case information is current to avoid interruptions in benefits.
• Follow MDHS social media channels for the latest updates on additional benefit funding and program announcements.

For the latest details, visit www.mdhs.ms.gov or follow official MDHS social channels.

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