Parson Administration Issues Changes to Social Services in Response to COVID-19

The Parson administration has extended eligibility for Medicaid coverage for those with coronavirus for 90 days within certain income limits and eliminated co-pays for telehealth services. They have also announced that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Missouri, which provides food stamps, will not be canceled for at least six months, and work requirements for able-bodied adults will be removed for 90 days. 

SNAP benefits are also being increased during the pandemic, with instructions for all households currently eligible for the program to receive the maximum amount for household size. Also, families with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in all Missouri school districts will receive an electronic benefit transfer card containing money for the value of the meals missed at school. The increase will affect about 310,000 households in the state and approximately 400,000 children. More changes to social service benefits are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.