MISSISSIPPI

Mississippi Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Mississippi TANF is a monthly cash assistance program designed to help low-income families with children under age 18 achieve self-sufficiency through work and training.

Beyond cash assistance, it provides support with childcare, transportation, and other work-related expenses for eligible participants, up to a maximum of 60 months in a lifetime.

Mississippi offers some of the nation’s lowest cash assistance benefits, with a family of three with little or no income receiving just $260 per month.

Mississippi also requires applicants to complete a mandatory 30-day up-front job search and be screened for possible drug use. Failure to complete these requirements may result in an application denial.

How do I apply for TANF in Mississippi?

TANF applications may now be made online through Mississippi’s ACCESS MS . If you need help with your application, please call

Mississippi Department of Human Services
Economic Assistance / Customer Service
(800) 948-3050

Mississippi Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Mississippi SNAP provides monthly food assistance benefits that help low-income households buy the food they need for sound nutrition and a well-balanced diet.

The program serves low-income families with children, seniors, people with disabilities, and working or unemployed people of all ages.

Most families in Mississippi with gross income up to 130% of the federal poverty level, or about $2,887 per month for a family of three, may qualify for SNAP benefits.

How do I apply for food stamps in Mississippi?

Applications for SNAP can now be made online through Mississippi’s ACCESS MS  or you can contact your local MDHS office  for an application.

Once your application is received, an MDHS case worker will schedule an interview appointment to review your eligibility within the next 5 days.

Mississippi Department of Human Services
Economic Assistance / Customer Service
(800) 948-3050

Mississippi Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Mississippi WIC provides supplemental foods, nutrition education and referrals to health care, at no cost, to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5.

To be eligible, you must be a Mississippi resident, have a household income within limits set by the state, and be individually determined to be at nutritional risk by a qualified health professional.

What is the income limit for WIC in Mississippi?

WIC serves women, infants, and children in Mississippi whose income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. That’s about $4,109 per month for a family of three.

How do I apply for WIC in Mississippi?

To apply for WIC, call (800) 338-6747 to schedule an appointment at a local WIC clinic near you. Be prepared with documents for proof of ID, residency, and income for your appointment.

If you qualify, you will receive an eWIC card that can be used to purchase approved healthy foods at participating grocery stores.

Mississippi State Department of Health
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program
(800) 338-6747

Mississippi Medicaid

Mississippi Medicaid is a health care program that helps pay for medical services for eligible, low-income residents, including children, pregnant women, the aged, and the disabled.

Coverage includes doctor visits, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, prescription drugs, lab and X-ray services, family planning, eyeglasses, and long-term care.

Mississippi remains one of the few states that has not fully expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act to non-disabled adults.

What is the income limit for Mississippi Medicaid?

Mississippi has one of the strictest Medicaid requirements in the country, and will only cover parents earning up to about 22% of the federal poverty level, or about $489 per month for a family of three.

Children ages 1—5 are covered up to 143% of the poverty level. Childless, non-disabled adults are not eligible, regardless of how low their income is.

How do I apply for Mississippi Medicaid?

Applications for Medicaid are accepted online through ACCESS MS  and are assessed for potential eligibility. If not eligible for Medicaid, applications are automatically referred to the Marketplace.

Mississippi Division of Medicaid
Office of Eligibility
(800) 421-2408

Mississippi Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Mississippi provides health coverage for uninsured children through CHIP. It provides health, dental and vision coverage to children up to age 19 who do not qualify for Medicaid.

Mississippi CHIP is currently administered by 3 coordinated care organizations (CCOs):¹

1. Molina Healthcare
2. Magnolia Health
3. TrueCare

There are no premiums or deductibles, although there may be a small co-payment for some services for higher-income families on CHIP.

What is the income limit for CHIP in Mississippi?

In Mississippi, children from families with incomes up to 214% of poverty are eligible for CHIP. That’s about $4,753 per month for a family of three.

Medicaid and CHIP use the same application and eligibility process. Families can apply for Mississippi CHIP through ACCESS MS  at any time of the year.

Mississippi Division of Medicaid
Office of Eligibility
(800) 884-3222

Mississippi Child Care Payment Program (CCPP)

Mississippi Child Care Payment Program (CCPP) is a federally funded program designed to provide parents with assistance with child care tuition. Parents may choose any type of child care while participating in this program.

Parents who meet the income and work requirements may need to pay a monthly co-payment  toward the cost of child care.

However, some families are exempt from co-payments, including:

• Families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Homeless families with no countable income
• Families with income at or below the federal poverty level

What is the income limit for child care assistance in Mississippi?

Families with gross income less than or equal to 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) are eligible to apply for subsidy. For example, income eligibility limit for a family of three is at or below $5,100 a month.

Higher priority is given to families with special needs, deployed military parents, and those participating in public assistance programs such as TANF.

How do I apply for child care assistance in Mississippi?

The general application is closed, but a waitlist system is in place. Families must have joined the waitlist to receive an application invitation via email.

Beginning January 2014, paper application will no longer be accepted. Families interested in applying for the Child Care Payment Program must complete the online application  to be added to the waitlist.

When funding becomes available, you will be contacted in waitlist order to complete any remaining eligibility steps. If approved, you will be issued a “child care certificate” to give to your chosen child care provider.

Mississippi Department of Human Services
Child Care Payment Program (CCPP)
(800) 421-0762

Mississippi $750 Child Care Tax Credit

Beginning in the 2026 tax year, families earning less than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) may be eligible for a $750 tax credit  per child under age 6, with refundable options for lower incomes.

To qualify, the dependent child must be under age 6 and must have attended a qualifying child care center for at least eight months during the tax year.

The credit is fully refundable for families with incomes below 250% of the FPL, meaning any portion of the credit that exceeds your tax liability will be issued to you as a refund.

Applications must be submitted through the Mississippi Taxpayer Access Point  (TAP) and apply for an “allocation” of the credit before claiming it on your final tax return.

Mississippi Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Mississippi LIHEAP provides a one-time financial assistance to eligible households to help with home energy bills, energy crises, and weatherization. Priority is given to low-income seniors (60+), people with disabilities, and households with young children.

In Mississippi, the maximum benefit is capped at $1,500 per program year, with the actual amount determined by household income, household size, and the type of energy used.

Most households may qualify for regular LIHEAP if their monthly income is at or below 60% of the State Median Income (SMI) or about $3,600 for a family of three.

How do I apply for LIHEAP in Mississippi?

LIHEAP is offered in each of the 82 counties in Mississippi. You may apply online through ACCESS MS  which is available nationwide but services and funds are for residents of Mississippi only.

For applicants who are not eligible for LIHEAP, MDHS works with utilities to provide energy assistance to low-income households across the state.

Mississippi Department of Human Services
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
(800) 421-0762

Mississippi Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

NOTICE: Funding is no longer available for LIHWAP. Households may not receive LIHWAP benefits at this time.

Mississippi LIHWAP is a temporary emergency program designed to help low-income households and families who have fallen behind on their water and wastewater bills.

Mississippians eligible for LIHWAP benefits will have a one-time credit applied to their water utilities account — up to $1,500 based on the availability of funds.

How can I get help with my water bill in Mississippi?

If you are struggling to pay your water or wastewater bills, you can apply in-person at the local Community Action Agency  nearest you or submit your application online through ACCESS MS .

Mississippi Unemployment Insurance

Mississippi Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary financial assistance to workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own.

In order to be eligible for unemployment benefits, you must have earned a minimum amount of wages in a recent ‘base period ’ and must have:

1. wages in at least two quarters in the first four calendar quarters out of the last five (base period),
2. earned at least $780 in the highest-paid quarter of the base period, and
3. total base-period wages of at least 40 times your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA).

If your calculated WBA is $200, your total base-period wages must be at least $8,000 (40 × $200), and with wages in your highest quarter being at least $780.

How much unemployment benefits can I get in Mississippi?

Mississippi has the lowest maximum unemployment benefits in the nation. Benefit amounts range from a minimum of $30 to a maximum of $235 per week.

How do I file my weekly unemployment claim in Mississippi?

If you worked and earned wages in Mississippi, there are three ways to register and file your weekly claim:

1. online through MDES’ Online Unemployment Services ,
2. in person at the WIN Job Center  nearest you, or
3. by phone by calling (601) 493-9427.

As a condition of eligibility, you are required to register for work at WIN Job Center  in your area and provide proof of work search each week that you are collecting benefits.

Mississippi Department of Employment Security
MDES Contact Center
(601) 493-9427

Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)

Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG) is a need-based financial aid for eligible students attending approved public or private non-profit colleges and universities in the state.

MTAG awards may be up to $500 per academic year for freshmen and sophomores and $1,000 per academic year for juniors and seniors.

To be considered for MTAG, you must first submit your FAFSA and complete the Mississippi Aid Application  (MAAPP) by September 15.

Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid
(800) 327-2980

Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)

Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant  (MSEG) is a merit-based financial aid program for the state’s highest-achieving high school seniors. Unlike MTAG, which has lower academic thresholds, MESG rewards students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance.

The maximum award amount is $2,500 per year for a maximum of 8 semesters or degree completion, whichever comes first, but awards may not exceed annual tuition and fees.

For first time applicants, complete the Mississippi Aid Application  (MAAPP) on or before September 15 during the fall of the aid year for which the student is seeking assistance.

Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid
(800) 327-2980

Mississippi Higher Education Legislative Plan (HELP)

Higher Education Legislative Plan  (HELP) is designed to provide tuition assistance to Mississippi students whose financial need, as demonstrated by federal student aid eligibility, are not met from other sources.

Applicants must be attending an eligible Mississippi institution, must have a minimum ACT score of 20 and an average gross income of $42,500 or less over the prior two years.

To apply for HELP, you must complete both the FAFSA and an online application  along with the HELP Worksheet (also referred to as the Household Verification Worksheet).

Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid
(800) 327-2980