Missouri Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) #
TANF, also known as Temporary Assistance (TA) in Missouri, provides temporary cash benefits to low-income families with dependent children. The amount depends upon the family’s income, resources, and living arrangements.
Those receiving benefits are required to participate in work activities through the Missouri Work Assistance (MWA) program for a minimum number of hours per week, unless there is a good cause.
How do I apply for cash assistance in Missouri?
Application for Temporary Assistance can be made online through Missouri myDSS or in person at the local Family Support Division office that serves your area.
Missouri Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) #
SNAP helps eligible Missourians, children and families, who may be working but are still struggling financially, to buy food and provide nutritional meals for themselves.
Eligibility is determined by certain factors, primarily your income and household size. In general, families with income less than 130% of the federal poverty level may qualify for SNAP benefits.
How do I sign up for food stamps in Missouri?
Application for SNAP can only be made in person at your local FSD office. This prescreening tool might help you determine if you may be eligible to receive SNAP benefits. However, this is not an application tool.
Missouri Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) #
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. Medicaid expansion now extends coverage through the state's program — dubbed MO HealthNet to adults under age 65 with household incomes up to 138% of the poverty level.
MO HealthNet for Kids
For children with family incomes up to 305% of poverty, or about $70,240 for a family of three
MO HealthNet for Pregnant Women and Newborns
Incomes less than 199% of poverty, or about $45,830 for a family of three
MO HealthNet for Families (MHF)
Limited to parents with incomes below 138% of poverty, or about $31,780 a year for a family of three
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 Assistance Program (CCAP) #
Missouri CCAP assists eligible families with payments for child care in Missouri. The purpose of this program is to help cover the cost of child care so that parents are able to gain employment and remain employed.
The program pays for part of the child care costs, and you co-pay for a portion based on the size of the family, the amount of your income, and the number of children in care.
How do I apply for child care assistance in Missouri?
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 1-855-373-4636.
Missouri Transitional Child Care #
When your income goes above the limit for the Child Care Subsidy Program, the state may still pay a portion of your child care costs through Transitional Child Care.
Effective through December 31, 2021, parents who work, attend school, or train for work with an income from 138 to 215 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) may now qualify for Transitional Child Care.
If eligible, you will receive a letter from the Family Support Division and you must complete the application and return it to your local Family Support Division (FSD) office before the due date.
For assistance with your application, please contact
Family Support Division
1-855-FSD-INFO
Missouri Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) #
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.
In order to qualify, you must be a resident of the state of Missouri and be individually determined by a health professional to be “at nutrition risk”.
How do I apply for WIC in Missouri?
To apply for WIC benefits, you must visit a WIC agency near you in person. If you need additional assistance finding a WIC agency, please contact TEL-LINK at 1-800-835-5465.
Instead of paper checks, Missouri will be rolling out the WIC card, which will be called eWIC, in several waves between now and early 2020.
Missouri Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) #
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to assist eligible low income households in Missouri pay for their energy bills. Priority is granted to the lowest-income households with the highest heating costs.
Through a program called Energy Assistance, it provides a one-time payment to help pay your heating bills during the months of October through March — ranging from $45 to $450 paid directly to the utility company.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Missouri?
Missouri LIHEAP begins accepting applications starting October 1. Call (855) 373-4636 to request an application be mailed to you. Completed application should be mailed to your local agency.
If your energy is shut off or is threatened to be shut off, you may also apply for additional help through the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP). The maximum amount you could receive is $300 during summer or $800 for Winter.
Missouri Unemployment Insurance #
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 Missouri, the maximum benefit amount claimable is $320 per week. Eligible claimants may receive up to 20 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits through the state.
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:
Jefferson City
(573) 751-9040
Kansas City
(816) 889-3101
Springfield
(417) 895-6851
St. Louis
(314) 340-4950
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 is designed to give Missouri students with financial need the opportunity to attend schools of their preference, including public and private colleges & universities throughout Missouri.
Eligibility is based on Expected Family Contribution (EFC), with applicants with EFC of $12,000 or less eligible. The amount of the annual award varies each year based upon state appropriation to the fund.
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.