Welfare benefits such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, food stamps and Medicaid help many Mississippi residents with low incomes afford the basic necessities of life. Eligibility criteria vary from program to program; for instance, you may qualify for food stamps, but not Medicaid, depending on your personal circumstances. The amount you can receive in food stamps and cash assistance also varies depending on your family size and total household income.
Step 1
Download an application for Medicaid for disabled and elderly people or an application for Medicaid for children and families (both can be found in the Resources section) from the Mississippi Division of Medicaid website. If you prefer, you can visit the Medicaid Regional Office nearest you to obtain an application.
Step 2
Fill out the application completely and return it to the Medicaid Regional Office nearest you. If you need help completing the application, ask staff at the office for assistance and they will help you.
Step 3
Apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, otherwise known as food stamps, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, which provides cash assistance, at the Department of Human Services office in the county in which you live (see link in the Resources section to find the office in your county). You can also download an application online if you prefer (see Resources). Applications are available in Spanish as well as English.
Step 4
Fill out the application completely and return it to the Department of Human Services officer in the county in which you live. If you need help completing the application, ask staff at the office for assistance and they will help you.
Step 5
Provide all requested documents with your applications, including a driver's license or state issued photo identification card, Social Security card, proof of all income and bank account statements. If you need help getting the necessary documents, ask staff for assistance and they will help you.