MISSOURI

Missouri Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Missouri TANF, also known as Temporary Assistance (TA) in Missouri, provides temporary cash benefits to low-income families with dependent children.

In Missouri, the maximum monthly payment for a family of three with little or no income is $292, which is among the lowest in the country.

Those receiving benefits are required to participate in job preparation and work activities through the Missouri Work Assistance (MWA) program to gain skills and find employment.

How do I apply for cash assistance in Missouri?

Applications for Temporary Assistance can be made online through Missouri myDSS  or in person at the local Family Support Division (FSD) office that serves your area .

Missouri Department of Social Services
Family Support Division (FSD)
(855) 373-4636

Missouri Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Missouri SNAP helps eligible Missourians afford food and maintain a nutritious diet, with priority given to low-income families with children, older adults and people with disabilities.

Eligibility and benefit amounts depend on household size, income, and certain allowable expenses. Most households must meet gross and net monthly income limits, and in some cases, resource (asset) limits.

What is the income limit for SNAP in Missouri?

Most families in Missouri with gross monthly income up to 130% of the federal poverty level, or about $2,887 for a family of three, may qualify for food stamps.

How do I sign up for food stamps in Missouri?

Applications for SNAP can only be made in person at your local FSD office . An interview will then be scheduled to verify and review your application.

Missouri Department of Social Services
Family Support Division (FSD)
(855) 373-4636

Missouri Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

Missouri’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a food assistance program that help improves the nutrient intake of Missourians by providing reimbursement for meals that meet minimum nutritional standards served in approved facilities.

The program assures that nutritious meals and snacks are served to children enrolled in child care centers, family child care homes, after school programs, as well as eligible adults in emergency shelters, and adult day care programs.

To apply for participation of the CACFP in Missouri, you must complete all three steps outlined here . If you have any questions about the program, call the toll-free number 800-733-6251.

Missouri MO HealthNet

MO HealthNet is the name of Missouri’s public health insurance program, commonly known as Medicaid. It provides health care coverage for eligible Missouri residents, including children, low-income families, seniors, pregnant women and people with disabilities.

MO HealthNet uses specific income thresholds based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for different groups.

MO HealthNet for Kids

A comprehensive coverage with no premiums for children in households with the lowest incomes. For families with higher incomes (up to 305% FPL), coverage is available for a monthly premium.

MO HealthNet for Pregnant Women and Newborns

Standard coverage is available for those with household incomes up to 201% of the poverty level. This includes prenatal and 12 months of postpartum care.

MO HealthNet for Expansion Adults

Limited to adults ages 19—64 with incomes at or below 138% of the poverty level, or about $3,065 per month for a family of three.

What is the maximum income to qualify for Medicaid in Missouri?

Under Medicaid expansion, Missouri’s MO HealthNet now provides full coverage to adults under age 65 with household incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level.

How do I apply for Medicaid in Missouri?

You can apply for Medicaid either online through Missouri myDSS , by phone, or in person at the nearest designated Family Support Division.

Missouri Department of Social Services
Family Support Division (FSD)
(855) 373-4636

Missouri Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP)

Missouri Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP) helps eligible Missouri families with children under age 13 (or children with special needs) pay for child care.

The program pays for part of the child care costs on a sliding fee scale , and parents are responsible for paying the sliding fee amount to the child care provider.

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

Only very low-income families qualify in Missouri. At the time of initial application, the maximum income a family can make to qualify is 150% of the federal poverty line, which is about $3,331 per month for a family of three.

How do I apply for child care assistance in Missouri?

Applications for child care subsidy can be done online through Missouri myDSS  or in person at the local Family Support Division office that serves your area.

Funding is limited and there is often a waiting list in place. To check your eligibility, you may contact your local Family Support Division (FSD) office at (855) 373-4636.

Missouri Department of Social Services
Family Support Division (FSD)
(855) 373-4636

Missouri Transitional Child Care

When your income goes above the limit for the Child Care Assistance Program, Missouri may still pay a portion of your child care costs through Transitional Child Care.

Parents who work, attend school, or train for work with an income between 151% and 242% of the federal poverty level may qualify for “transitional” or expanded aid.

Missouri’s Transitional Child Care has three levels , determined by the family’s income, which affect how much the state subsidy program pays.

If deemed eligible, you will receive a letter from the Family Support Division (FSD) and you must complete the application and return it to your FSD office before the due date.

For assistance with your application, please contact

Missouri Department of Social Services
Family Support Division (FSD)
(855) 373-4636

Missouri Child Care Works (CCW)

Families with children ages 12 and under who cannot otherwise access state-subsidized child care, may apply for Child Care Works, the state first-ever cost-sharing child care program.

Through CCW, an employee’s child care costs would be shared between the employee, the employer and the state of Missouri. According to the program, participating families could see their child care expenses reduced by up to 75%.

The program officially launches on Nov. 1, 2025. Employers and families interested in finding out more about the program, may visit their website at childcareworksmo.org .

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

Missouri’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a special supplemental nutrition program for pregnant, breast feeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5 who meet the income eligibility guidelines.

Fathers, grandparents, guardians, and foster parents may also apply for WIC benefits for the children living in their household.

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for WIC:

1. Live in Missouri.
2. Be a pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding woman, an infant or a child under 5 years old.
3. Have a household income less than 185% of the federal poverty limit.
4. Have a nutritional need or risk.

What is the income limit for WIC in Missouri?

WIC is available to Missouri families with a household income less than or equal to 185% of the poverty level. That’s about $4,109 per month for a family of three.

How long does WIC last in Missouri?

In Missouri, WIC benefits last for different lengths of time depending on who is receiving them:

• Pregnant women: through pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after birth
• Breastfeeding women: up to 12 months after childbirth
• Non-breastfeeding postpartum women: up to 6 months after childbirth
• Infants: from birth until their first birthday
• Children: from age 1 until their 5th birthday

WIC is not automatic. Participants must recertify periodically to continue receiving benefits.

How do I apply for WIC in Missouri?

To apply for WIC benefits, you must visit a local WIC agency  in person. If you need help finding the nearest agency, please contact

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
WIC State Agency
(800) 392-8209

Missouri SuN Bucks

SuN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, is a new federal program that helps families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer months of June, July, and August.

Children may be automatically eligible for Missouri SuN Bucks and will not need to apply for the program if they meet any of the following:

• The household already participates in SNAP or Temporary Assistance, or
• The child is age 7 through 17 and is in foster care, homeless, a migrant, or
• The child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program, and your household income is less than 185% of the federal poverty level.

Families will get a one-time $120 benefit per qualifying child that can be used to buy nutritious foods at authorized locations around Missouri.

Missouri Department of Social Services
Family Support Division – SUN Bucks
(855) 373-4636

Missouri Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Missouri LIHEAP is designed to assist eligible low-income households pay for their energy bills by providing a one-time payment toward heating or cooling costs.

Missouri LIHEAP consists of two main components:

Energy Assistance (EA)

A one-time payment for one fuel type for your heating or cooling costs during the months of October to May. Priority is granted to the lowest-income households with the highest heating costs.

Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP)

Assistance is available to low-income households that are in a crisis situation; such as receiving a 48-hour disconnect notice, or service termination by a utility company.

How do I apply for LIHEAP in Missouri?

EA operates from October 1 through May 31. Applications for LIHEAP are available online through Missouri myDSS or in person at a local Community Action Agency.

Missouri Department of Social Services
Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
(855) 373-4636

Missouri Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

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

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

Households eligible for LIHWAP benefits will have a one-time credit of up to $750 applied to their water utilities account. Priority is given to households facing the threat of disconnection, or those that have already been disconnected.

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

LIHWAP is administered by the Missouri Department of Social Services. You will need to apply online at mydss.mo.gov/utility-assistance  or call (855)-373-4636 to have the application mailed to you.

Missouri Unemployment Insurance

Missouri Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary financial assistance to workers unemployed through no fault of their own. It is designed to provide temporary benefits to eligible claimants during times of unemployment when suitable work is not available.

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. earned at least $2,250 during the base period, including
2. at least $1,500 in one calendar quarter, and at least $750 in the remainder of the base period, and
3. total base-period wages of at least 1.5 times the wages earned in your highest-paid quarter;

For example, if your highest-paid quarter was $4,000, your total base-period wages must be at least $6,000 ($4,000 × 1.5) to meet the 1.5 times multiplier requirement.

How much will I get for unemployment in Missouri?

Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $320 per week for a maximum of 20 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.

How do I file my weekly unemployment benefits in Missouri?

To file your weekly unemployment benefits, call the nearest Missouri Division of Employment Security Regional Claims Center using one of the phone numbers listed below.

The online claim filing system is also available 24 hours a day through UInteract . You must file your weekly claim within 14 days after the Saturday the week ends, or your claim for that week will be denied.

Access Missouri

Access Missouri provides need-based financial aid to eligible Missouri students attending either public or private colleges and universities within the state.

Eligibility is based on the Student Aid Index (SAI). Students with an SAI of 12,000 or less, as determined by the FAFSA, are eligible for the award.

The annual award amount varies each year depending on the type of institution attended and the availability of state funding.

For the 2026–2027 academic year, the priority deadline is February 2, 2026. Students who apply by this date are guaranteed an award if they meet eligibility and academic requirements.

Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program
(800) 473-6757

Missouri Working Family Tax Credit

Starting with tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, the credit is scheduled to become fully refundable under legislation of HB 1571.¹

Beginning in 2023, the Missouri Working Family Tax Credit offers a non-refundable amount equal to 20% of the federal earned income credit.

Because the credit is non-refundable, households with little or no Missouri state income tax liability may not fully benefit from the credit.

To claim the credit, complete Form MO-WFTC  and attach it to your Missouri Individual Income Tax Return Form MO-1040 along with a copy of your federal return.

Missouri Child Tax Credit

Beginning January 1, 2026, a qualified taxpayer earning less than $75,000 can claim a refundable tax credit for each qualified child in the following amounts:²

Families can choose to receive the credit in monthly payments rather than at tax time: $600 per month for children under 7 and $300 per month for children ages 7–17.

The Missouri Department of Revenue was scheduled to begin accepting advance payment applications for the 2026 tax year by October 1, 2025.²

Missouri Department of Revenue
Tax Credit Division
(573) 751-3220