Mississippi TANF

Mississippi TANF, commonly known as welfare, is the monthly cash assistance program for low-income families with children under age 18. The program is designed to help neediest families in Mississippi achieve self-sufficiency through employment and job-readiness activities.

Most TANF families are expected to register for employment through Mississippi Works  or participate in work activities as a condition of receiving cash benefits, unless otherwise exempt.

If you do not participate satisfactorily in approved work activities, the 60-month lifetime limit will be reduced to no more than 24 months.

FAQ

How do I qualify for TANF in Mississippi?

In order to qualify for TANF, you must:

1. Be a U.S. citizen or legal alien, or permanent resident.
2. Be a resident of the state of Mississippi.
3. Be pregnant or responsible for a child under 19 years of age.
4. Be unemployed or under employed (working for very low wages).
5. Meet income and resource limits  (see below).

Mississippi also put a drug testing policy in place that requires all applicants to be screened for drug use in order to receive benefits.

What is the income limit for TANF in Mississippi?

In Mississippi, a family of three is considered “needy” if its gross countable income is less than $680 per month, above which the family is not eligible.

How much TANF can I get in Mississippi?

Mississippi, which for over 50 years provided the nation’s lowest cash assistance benefits to families with children, has increased the maximum amount by $90 a month.¹

A family of three with no other income will now receive $260 per month. Larger families with lower countable income qualify for higher benefits.

Benefits are issued through the Mississippi Debt MasterCard® Card which is a prepaid debit MasterCard. Paper checks are no longer issued.

How do I apply for TANF in Mississippi?

TANF application may now be made online through Mississippi’s access.ms.gov . Upon receipt of your application, an interview will be set up to review your eligibility.

If you need help with your application, please call
Economic Assistance Eligibility Client Services
(800) 948-3050

What documents do I need to apply for TANF in Mississippi?

When you apply for TANF cash assistance in Mississippi, you may be asked to provide all or some of the following documents:

• A valid photo ID
• Social Security numbers for the people applying (or proof that you have applied for them)
• Proof of residency (where you live), such as a lease or a utility bill
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status
• Proof of your children’s identity and their relationship to you, such as birth certificates
• Proof of earned and unearned income for everyone in your household, such as pay stubs
• Proof of other resources, such as bank statements, if the state asks for them
• Proof of pregnancy, if you are applying while pregnant
• Information about the children’s other parent, such as a name and last known address, which states use for child support
• Any additional documents needed to verify your household’s situation

Each state sets its own rules, and what you need may depend on your situation. If you are not sure what to bring, contact Mississippi MDHS (MDHS) at (800) 948-3050 and they can tell you exactly what your application requires.