MISSOURI

This is an unofficial benefits estimator and not an application. No personal data is collected or stored. Actual amounts may vary based on individual circumstances, location, eligibility criteria, and recent data updates at the time of application.

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 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.

Family Support Division
(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

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

MO HealthNet for Kids

For children with family incomes up to 305% of poverty, or about $6,774 a month for a family of three.

MO HealthNet for Pregnant Women and Newborns

Incomes less than 305% of poverty, or about $6,774 a month for a family of three.

MO HealthNet for Families (MHF)

Limited to parents with incomes below 138% of poverty, or about $3,065 a month for a family of three.

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

How do I apply for Medicaid in Missouri?

Missouri residents can sign up for Medicaid either online through Missouri myDSS , by phone, through the mail, or in person at the nearest designated Family Support Division.

If you applied online or need assistance with an online application, call

FSD Contact Center
(855) 373-9994

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 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
Family Support Division
(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 open 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 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.

If you’re not sure if you need to apply or will get SuN Bucks automatically, use this Eligibility Navigator  to find out.

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?

Missouri operates LIHEAP program year round. You may apply for heating or cooling assistance from October through September. Call (855) 373-4636 to request an application be mailed to you. Completed application should be mailed to your local agency.

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 a claim for UI benefits, call the nearest Missouri Division of Employment Security Regional Claims Center at one of the following phone numbers:

The Internet claim filing system is also available 24 hours a day, except between 11:30 p.m. on Saturday and 12:31 a.m. on Sunday, CT. To file your claim using the Internet, click here .

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 Student Aid Index (SAI), with applicants with SAI of $12,000 or less eligible. The amount of the annual award varies each year based on the type of school you are attending and are subject to the availability of state funding.

To be considered for eligibility, file your FAFSA by April 1 — no separate application form required. Those who apply on or before February 1 are guaranteed an award.

Missouri Working Family Tax Credit

Legislation has been passed to make the credit fully refundable for all tax years beginning on and after January 1, 2026. 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.