FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2020
Missouri’s waiver request maximizing Food Stamp benefits through June gets USDA approval
JEFFERSON CITY, MO — United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has approved the Department of Social Services waiver request extending Pandemic Food Stamp/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (P-SNAP) benefits through the month of June 2020. P-SNAP, part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, enables Missouri SNAP households to receive the maximum Food Stamp/SNAP benefit amount for their household size during a state of emergency. Food Stamp/SNAP households automatically get the maximum Food Stamp/SNAP benefit amount for their household size on the normal date their benefit is loaded onto their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. The USDA also approved Missouri’s waiver request to extend the suspension of Food Stamp interviews through the month of June. As of April 30, 2020, 360,937 Missouri households or 752,315 individuals receive Food Stamp/SNAP benefits.
"Missouri’s Show Me Strong Recovery plan is helping Missourians get back on their feet and extending P-SNAP benefits through the month of June helps low-income households remain resilient," said Jennifer Tidball, Acting Director, Department of Social Services. "As Missouri recovers and the state of emergency declaration ends, it is very important for Missourians to be aware and be prepared for their SNAP benefits to go back to the normal amount the household is eligible to receive. This means many SNAP households will see a decrease in benefits."
Missourians who have questions can use the DSS Virtual Assistant to get immediate answers to basic questions that are not specific to an individual’s case 24 hours a day or can call 855-FSD-INFO or 855-373-4636 Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Missourians should note over the Memorial Day weekend, the FSD Customer Service Center will be closed Saturday, May 23 through Monday, May 25 and will resume normal hours on May 26
The Missouri Services Navigator has information on over 2,800 programs and services available in the state. Missourians in need of information on Food Stamp, Medicaid, Child Care Subsidy, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefit programs can visit dss.mo.gov. Missourians can also apply for those services 24/7 online by visiting MyDSS.mo.gov, or sending completed applications and verification documents by email to FSD.Documents@dss.mo.gov, or by fax to 573-526-9400.
The Department of Social Services is committed to the "Show Me Strong" Recovery Plan and serving the needs of Missouri citizens during COVID-19 pandemic. Information regarding the department’s response to the pandemic is available online https://dss.mo.gov/covid-19.
The mission of the Department of Social Services is to empower Missourians to live safe, healthy, and productive lives. Visit dss.mo.gov to learn more about the Department of Social Services and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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