social services

Missouri voters will decide whether to create a state-owned investment fund that supporters say could eventually replace state taxes and provide long-term financial stability. Amendment 7 critics worry it could jeopardize funding for essential services.

New federal rules take effect in two months, requiring many Medicaid recipients to prove they work, volunteer or otherwise partake in "community engagement" activities. MO HealthNet recipients will also need to verify their eligibility twice a year instead of once.

Workers describe soaring caseloads, long drives and rushed abuse investigations as internal records show thousands of cases falling behind.

As of Oct. 1, Missouri's Department of Social Services will now review documentation of housing costs, childcare expenses and assets in applications for SNAP benefits.

Missouri SNAP applicants will face new documentation requirements in October for housing, child care and financial resources. Some advocates warn the extra hurdles may cost some eligible recipients their benefits.

Caseloads have surged in parts of Missouri, and workers say new requirements for consultation, checklists and supervisory review are making cases harder and slower to resolve.

Children’s Division Director Sara Smith wants to have investigators take on more specialized responsibilities at the agency.

A federal judge blocked five states from banning the use of SNAP benefits for junk food purchases. Missouri has a similar plan, but it was not included in the decision.

More than 300,000 Missouri residents lost Medicaid coverage within the course of the year, and 92% were because of "procedural" terminations due to missing forms, incomplete information or other issues. A new rule proposed by the federal government could add even more paperwork.

The "Money Follows the Person" program was set to restart this summer, offering more ways for people to live independently. But Kansas pulled back out of fear that the federal funding was disappearing. Now, social service agencies wonder what will happen to those people.

The Missouri Department of Social Services applied last year for federal permission to prohibit purchases of candy, prepared desserts and sugary drinks with SNAP and SuN Bucks. But supermarkets aren't yet clear what qualifies.

Research from Washington University shows two-thirds of Missouri Medicaid recipients are employed. Others who didn’t work cited disability, illness, caregiving or retirement as reasons. The study comes as many adults on Medicaid will soon need to prove they work.