Jackson, MS – Governor Tate Reeves has designated May as “Older Americans Month” in Mississippi, recognizing the invaluable contributions of older adults while highlighting the importance of supporting their well-being within our communities.

Older Americans are pillars of strength, wisdom, and experience, upholding cherished values and traditions. They play vital roles as devoted family members, trusted friends, mentors, diligent volunteers, and esteemed civic leaders.

The Mississippi Department of Human Services Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) annually commemorates Older Americans Month (OAM). This year’s theme, “Powered by Connection,” focuses on the profound impact of meaningful connections on older adults’ well-being and health.

“It’s not just about having someone to chat with,” said Aging and Adult Service Division Director Kenyada Washington. “It’s about the transformative potential of community engagement in enhancing mental, physical, and emotional well-being.” By recognizing and nurturing connectedness’s role, we can mitigate issues like loneliness, ultimately promoting healthy aging for more Americans.

Governor Tate Reeves expressed deep gratitude, saying, “Our esteemed older Mississippians exemplify the values that have strengthened our communities. We sincerely appreciate their immeasurable contributions as parents, grandparents, and citizens, enriching our great state.”

MDHS is delighted to collaborate with various partners in the aging community to celebrate OAM this year. Throughout the month, a wide range of resources will be available, covering topics such as effective Medicare navigation, access to congregate and home-delivered meals, respite care provision, long-term care ombudsperson services, and simplified application projects for SNAP benefits.

What you can do to connect:

1. Planning: Seek assistance from MDHS’s SHIP program to plan and navigate the complexities of Medicare effectively. Explore the Respite Care program designed to support caregivers of elderly family members.
2. Engagement: Familiarize yourself with the State of Mississippi’s Long Term Care Ombudsman to advocate for and protect vulnerable senior adults.
3. Access: Utilize the simplified application process for SNAP assistance through the elderly application process.
4. Connection: Engage with congregate feeding sites across the state and participate in the senior companions’ home visitation program. Maintain social activities and relationships to combat social isolation and foster a sense of belonging within your community.

Strong communities are built upon the foundations of connectedness. Ensuring the continued involvement and inclusion of older adults in their communities benefits everyone. MDHS invites you to strengthen our community by visiting our website at the Division of Aging & Adult Services – Mississippi Department of Human Services (ms.gov). Explore various services, including congregate meal sites, home-delivered meals, transportation programs, respite care, and more. Eligibility for these services extends to all elderly Mississippians and Veterans.

For additional information, please visit the official MDHS website at www.mdhs.ms.gov, follow MDHS on Twitter and Facebook, and join the conversation using the hashtag #OlderAmericansMonth.

What you need to know:

• Update your phone number by emailing your caseworker or logging on to AccessMS. Remember to use your name exactly as it appears on your EBT card.
• Most interviews will be conducted by phone.
• If you apply or are due for recertification before May 1, you will not be required to participate in an interview.
• If you apply or are due for recertification after May 1, you will be required to be interviewed by a caseworker.

Expiration of Waiver of Interview Requirements for SNAP Benefits in Mississippi

Jackson, MS – The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) announces the expiration of the waiver of interview requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under the current waiver, which has been in effect since June 2023, applicants for SNAP benefits have not been required to undergo interviews with SNAP case workers. However, this waiver is set to expire on April 30, 2024.

As part of the transition process, MDHS will begin notifying current SNAP households that are due for recertification and whose certification period extends through May 2024, soon after April 10. Caseworkers will send these notifications and schedule interview appointments with the respective households. The interviews are expected to be scheduled in the latter half of April or early May.

“Maintaining program integrity and serving the needs of Mississippians are paramount at MDHS,” said Executive Director Bob Anderson. “As we approach the expiration of the SNAP interview waiver, we recognize the importance of reinstating interviews to ensure accurate eligibility verification.”

It is important to note that interviews will not be required for new SNAP applicants until May 1, 2024. This means that any individuals or households seeking SNAP benefits before that date will not be subject to interview requirements.

The expiration of the waiver and the reinstatement of interview requirements are part of MDHS’s ongoing efforts to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of the SNAP program in Mississippi. Conducting interviews allows caseworkers to gather important information, verify eligibility, and provide support and resources to SNAP recipients.

MDHS remains committed to serving the citizens of Mississippi and maintaining an efficient SNAP program. The waiver’s expiration does not affect the eligibility criteria or the benefits provided by SNAP. It simply reinstates the interview requirement for SNAP households.

For more information and updates regarding SNAP benefits, please visit the MDHS website at www.mdhs.ms.gov. Additionally, to apply, renew, or upload documents related to SNAP benefits, please visit the Mississippi Common Web Portal at www.access.ms.gov.

Senior Nutrition Programs Champion Food Security for Aging Residents

Jackson, MS – In celebration of National Nutrition Month, the Mississippi Department of Human Services Senior Nutrition Program is taking proactive measures to ensure that Mississippians aged 60 and older can access essential services that promote socialization, nutrition, and overall well-being.

“Our Senior Nutrition Programs prioritize the well-being of Mississippi’s seniors, tackling the pressing issue of food insecurity head-on. With a focus on personal responsibility and community support, we are dedicated to delivering nutritious meals and fostering vital social connections,” stated Robert G. (Bob) Anderson, Executive Director, Mississippi Department of Human Services. “Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of our aging residents, ensuring they have the nourishment necessary to thrive.”

With the aim of combating hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition among older individuals, the Senior Nutrition Program, administered through the agency’s Division of Aging and Adult Services, offers a range of options for seniors across the state.

Home-delivered meals are available for eligible homebound individuals, providing nourishment directly to their doorsteps. These meals are a lifeline for those who cannot leave their homes due to various circumstances.

Congregate meal locations in community settings such as senior centers, churches, and senior housing communities serve as hubs for social interaction and engagement. Here, older adults can enjoy nutritious meals while forming meaningful connections with peers.

The Senior Nutrition Program operates in all 82 counties of Mississippi through the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). To find the AAA in your county and access these vital services, please visit the Division of Aging and Adult Services page on the Mississippi Department of Human Services website Division of Aging & Adult Services – Mississippi Department of Human Services (ms.gov)

In addition to the Senior Nutrition Program, the Mississippi Department of Human Services offers the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which provides emergency food and nutrition assistance to older Mississippians at no cost. The department supplies food to local food banks, distributing the items to over 500 food pantries, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters statewide.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) streamlines the application process for seniors. By matching data with other government systems, the program enables eligibility workers to verify applicant information without burdensome paperwork. Once an application is deemed eligible for ESAP, it is expedited through the process.

ESAP households do not have a fixed certification period but are required to submit an annual interim report to report any changes in household income or size. To determine eligibility for SNAP benefits or to apply, please visit the Check Eligibility page on the Access MS website Mississippi Common Web Portal (ms.gov) .

The Senior Nutrition Programs ensure that aging Mississippians have access to the nutrition they need for a healthy and fulfilling life. Together, these initiatives aim to alleviate food insecurity, promote social engagement, and enhance the well-being of older individuals throughout the state.

Please visit our website to discover additional resources and services provided by the Mississippi Department of Human Services. You can access the Services section of the Mississippi Department of Human Services website for more information: Services – Mississippi Department of Human Services (ms.gov).

Working together to help Mississippians

skip to eligibilty

With the rising summer temperatures come rising energy bills. Don’t let the summer heat get you beat Mississippi; get the help you need with LIHEAP.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides financial assistance to eligible households for managing costs associated with:
· Home energy bills
· Energy crisis
· Purchase, repair, or replacement of air conditioners and heaters

To be eligible for LIHEAP, an applicant’s household income must be at or below 60% of the state median income.

“Rising fuel costs are having a disproportionate impact on seniors and low-income Mississippians,” said Robert G. (Bob) Anderson, Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services. “For many, LIHEAP and the Power to Care programs serve as a lifeline. Connecting these important resources to our neighbors is critical to our mission of offering Mississippians young and old tangible help today to create a lasting hope for tomorrow.”

For residents who do not meet the eligibility criteria for LIHEAP, The Mississippi Department of Human Services works with utilities to provide energy assistance to low-income households across the state.
Entergy Mississippi’s The Power to Care Program, administered by the Salvation Army, provides bill payment assistance to low-income elderly and disabled customers. Employees and customers contribute to this fund. Their donations are matched dollar-for-dollar by Entergy shareholders up to $500k.”By giving to The Power to Care, donors are providing relief for people in our communities who need it most,” said Valarie Mabry,

Entergy Mississippi public affairs representative. “Helping build stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities is an important part of Entergy’s mission and our goal to become the premier utility.” Entergy also offers level billing for customers of any income level. Level billing gives the option to spread out the annual cost of a utility bill over 12 months so that no one will be surprised with higher bills in the summer due to the heat. This service is excellent for budgeting.

Energy-efficiency tips are also offered to Entergy customers. These tips will help customers manage their energy use, and most tips are low to no cost. Examples of these tips range from letting customers know the ideal temperature to set their a/c on to save money and be comfortable.

MDHS is working with Entergy and other energy providers to ensure that the people of Mississippi have access to affordable utilities and assistance with budgeting. For more information or to register for utility assistance through MDHS, please visit https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/energy-assistance-programs-benefit-mississippi-families/ or call 601-359-4500.

Programs provide assistance and support to those caring for our aging and vulnerable population

November is National Caregiver Month, but caregivers of dependent persons receive assistance from the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) each month of the year.

Through the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS), MDHS offers two primary programs to assist caregivers. A caregiver is defined as any individual, regardless of age, providing care for a person 60 years or older; or a grandparent or other relative caregiver, 60 years or older, caring for a child 18 years or younger.

“Caregiving programs continue to become a vital part of our Aging communities,” said Kenyada Blake, Director of the MDHS Division of Aging and Adult Services. “The major goals of the Lifespan Respite Program is to enhance community awareness and access to a wider options of respite systems in Mississippi”.

Under the Older American Act, MDHS offers the National Family Caregiver Support Program. This program provides temporary relief time for the regular or primary caregiver (spouse, child, and relative) of an ill, functionally impaired older individual or dementia patient that requires constant in-home care. 

The Mississippi Family Caregiver Support Program works in partnership with the 10 Area Agencies on Aging and local community service providers to provide five basic services for family caregivers, including:

• Information to caregivers about available services.
• Assistance to caregivers in gaining access to services.
• Individual counseling, the organization of support groups, caregiver training to assist the caregivers in making decisions and solving problems relating to their caregiving roles.
• Respite care to enable caregivers to be temporarily relieved from caregiving responsibilities.
• Supplemental services, on a limited basis, to complement the care provided by caregivers.

DAAS also offers the Lifespan Respite Program, which provides respite care vouchers for family members providing unpaid care for a dependent person of any age with a significant disability, or chronic illness requiring care. 

The respite care voucher opportunity includes an initial voucher of $300, a repeat voucher of $300 after six months and an emergency respite voucher in the amount of $400. There is a limited number of vouchers for each level of care.

Vouchers can only be used to pay for breaks (respite) for caregivers. They may NOT be used to:

• Pay the family caregiver directly for the care he/she is providing 
• Pay for care that occurred before the voucher was issued 
• Pay medical bills or purchase medical supplies 
• Offset the cost of paid care already in place 

To learn more about the Family Caregiver Support Program and the Lifespan Respite Program, call the Mississippi Access to Care Center at 844-822-4622.

ATTENTION: SNAP Interview Waiver

Based on a waiver approved by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), effective June 1, 2023, applicants and recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are not required to be interviewed by a SNAP caseworker.

Even though households may have received an interview appointment notice, an interview is not required.

Households submitting either new SNAP applications or applications for SNAP recertification will be contacted by their caseworker, as needed, to obtain all necessary information to determine the household’s eligibility.

SNAP clients should ensure that their address, phone number, and other contact information is current in order to maintain communication with their caseworker.

The waiver is in effect through April 30, 2024.

Apply for SNAP 

JANUARY 2023

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 of Human Services office if you have questions.

PUEDE HABER UN CAMBIO EN SU CASO POR CAUSA DE INCREMENTOS EN ALGUNOS BENEFICIOS FEDERALES EN ENERO 2022

Algunos beneficios federales como Seguro Social, Ingreso suplementario De Seguro (SSI), Beneficios de Veteranos (VA), o jubilación del Ferrocarril, pueden incrementar por un ajuste al de costo de vida. Si los ingresos de su hogar incrementan por causa de este ajuste, la cantidad de beneficios SNAP o/y TANF que su familia recibe podrán bajar, o su caso hasta podrá ser cerrado.

Los hogares tienen el derecho de pedir una audiencia justa y continuación de beneficios basados en calculaciones impropias de beneficios o mal aplicación de la ley Federal.

Contacte la oficina de MDHS de su condado si tiene alguna pregunta.

For more information: Social Security, Veterans Benefits, or Railroad Retirement 

(Jackson, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) received approval today from the Mississippi State Personnel Board to proceed with engaging the Jones Walker law firm to move forward with civil litigation filed on behalf of MDHS in May of this year to recover TANF funds from 38 parties named as defendants in the pending lawsuit.

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch had already approved the proposed contract with Jones Walker.

“This litigation must go forward to accomplish our stated goal of recovering and returning to the taxpayers the millions of dollars in misspent TANF funds,” said Bob Anderson, Executive Director of MDHS. “MDHS has selected Jones Walker, a firm of some 370 attorneys with offices and professionals in eight states and the District of Columbia, to continue with this important litigation. After talking with a number of firms, many of whom had conflicts with taking on this work, we selected Jones Walker because they are, in our view, the firm best suited to handle this matter and move it forward by continuing to evaluate claims against additional parties, written discovery, depositions, trial, and appeal, if necessary.”

Jones Walker has been named by BTI Consulting Group as part of its Client Service A-Team, but also, the Jackson Office has many fine lawyers who are well-qualified to handle this litigation.

Kaytie Pickett and Adam Stone, who will lead the Jones Walker team representing MDHS, focus their practices on complex commercial litigation and have handled high-profile, challenging, and large commercial cases in a number of states. Both are leaders in the American Bar Association in public contract and procurement law. Kaytie Pickett is Vice-Chair of the Public Contract Committee in the State and Local Government Section of the ABA, and Adam Stone is Vice-Chair of the State and Local Procurement Law Division of the ABA.

“While Brad Pigott initiated and prepared the original complaint in this case, we believe that Jones Walker is who we need to finish the process of getting to final judgment and recovery of funds. They have a deep bench and are well acquainted with complex electronic discovery platforms, which will be crucial in a case like this involving hundreds and thousands of documents. We look forward to working with the team at Jones Walker,” Anderson concluded.

This new contract allows MDHS to effectively represent the State’s interests and to recoup the funds for the people of Mississippi. Our commitment is to complete transparency.

MDHS is even more resolved to move the agency forward by continuing to help Mississippi families by providing tangible help today to create a lasting hope for tomorrow.

Jackson MS- The Mississippi Department of Human Services has awarded the Mississippi State University Extension Service $5 million to develop a new curriculum for children from birth through age 5. Leaders anticipate the new curriculum will directly impact early childhood education in the state by renewing the early-childhood partnership between Mississippi State and Mississippi Department of Human Services Division of Early Childhood Care and Development that existed for many years.

The funding will be used to develop “My Mississippi Adventures,” a developmentally appropriate, integrated curriculum that will be made available at no cost to all licensed and registered childcare facilities. The curriculum will focus on people, places, and things relevant to Mississippi. This curriculum is being developed as part of the quality improvement assistance which MDHS offers to child care providers.

Through the curriculum development project, early childhood development experts hope to provide researched-based early childhood development curriculum and instruction tools to childcare providers in all 82 Mississippi counties.

Mississippi State University faculty-led by Drs. Julie Parker and Lori Staton will develop curriculum and supporting materials that align with the Mississippi State Department of Education’s Early Childhood Learning Standards. The curriculum will offer a professional development component for early childcare and education professionals in the state. The project’s focus will be on preparing students for early success in K -12 schools in Mississippi, using a curriculum that will also offer a professional development component for early childcare.

Michael Newman, director of the MSU School of Human Sciences, said faculty members in human development and family science have a history of providing Extension programming aimed at improving conditions for children and families in Mississippi through early childhood programs.

“This project has the opportunity to impact both future teachers still in our college classrooms and existing teachers already working in the field as childcare providers,” Newman said.

An estimated 42% of Mississippi children through age 5 are cared for in one of 1,473 licensed childcare facilities across the state. Curricula preparing the children for kindergarten are expensive, so many are not able to participate in structured educational activities.

“Setting the foundation for learning in early education lays the groundwork for continued educational success at the K-12 level,” stated Dr. Chad Allgood, Co-Director of Early Childcare and Development at the Mississippi Department of Human Services. “We continue to make improvements to early childcare by providing an umbrella network that touches on curriculum development, training, technical assistance, along with helping children with special needs, family, friend, and neighbor care, and a focus on leadership development.”

The Mississippi Department of Human Services and The Mississippi State University Extension are looking forward to the future and laying the foundation for educational success throughout the state.

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Lori Staton, an associate professor of human development and family science, said the curriculum under development will be offered free of charge to licensed child care providers.

“Social and emotional development are the most basic elements children at this age need,” Staton said. “If they get this early, they will do better academically. This curriculum is being designed to provide that developmental foundation, so children are ready to be successful in school.”

Julie Parker, an associate professor of human development and family science who holds an Extension appointment, said the curriculum will provide a full year of education and will be theme- and project-based.

“The professional development component and the curriculum will be in tandem, and we will offer strategies for the teachers to use to better work with their children,” Parker said.

(Jackson, Miss) – A Madison County, Miss. resident, has been arrested and later pled guilty to SNAP fraud following an investigation conducted by the Investigations Division of the Mississippi Department of Human Service (MDHS). 

Madison-Rankin Counties District Attorney John K. Bramlett, Jr., announced that Sabrina Catchings, 28, of Madison County pled guilty to welfare fraud before the Madison County circuit court on January 14, 2022. Catchings was sentenced to serve three (3) years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC), three (3) years suspended, and five (5) years supervised probation under the direct supervision of MDOC, permanently disqualified for any participation in the SNAP and/or TANF program, as well as full restitution in the amount of $30, 954.00. Catchings received $30 954.00 in SNAP benefits between May 2017 to March 2021 by not reporting household composition and income accurately 

The case was investigated by DHS Investigator Nicholas “Ryan” Stokes of the MDHS Investigations Division.

The Investigations Division is a subset of the MDHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG), which was created in August 2018 and charged with detecting, preventing, and deterring fraud, waste, and abuse. OIG has been responsible for millions in dollars collected from SNAP overpayments.

“This investigation and ultimate prosecution demonstrates the controls we have in place to identify, investigate, and eliminate fraud in our programs,” MDHS Executive Director Robert G. “Bob” Anderson said. “This is also a great example of cooperation between our county office, investigations team, and local law enforcement.”

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