The Department of Social Services (DSS) has launched a Virtual Assistant to answer basic questions and immediately connect Missourians to needed information anytime day or night. The Virtual Assistant answers general questions online regarding the Food Stamp/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Child Care Subsidy, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits, as well as Child Support.  DSS added the new customer service option to expand its ability to provide around-the-clock support to Missourians and to improve customer experience. The Virtual Assistant provides continuously updated information reflecting changes to benefit programs and other matters related to COVID-19.  It is important to note, the Virtual Assistant answers only general questions and cannot answer questions specific to an individual’s case.
 
Missourians who have general questions can use the DSS Virtual Assistant to get immediate answers 24 hours a day. They can also call for information or personal assistance 855-373-4636 Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
 
The Missouri Services Navigator has information on over 2,000 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 has announced approval has been received from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to extend Pandemic Food Stamp/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (P-SNAP) benefits through the month of May 2020.  This extension will allow for the same increase to the amount of food stamps received in the month of May as recipients saw in April. Recipients of SNAP are not required to do anything to receive the additional funds, which arrive the same date as participants' usual benefits.  

Please note: CAPNCM does NOT administer the SNAP program. We do not handle applications and cannot answer specific questions about this program or your case within it.

Have a child (or children), but didn't file taxes in 2018 or 2019? READ THIS!

The IRS has advised those who did not file taxes, but who do have dependant children in the home, that they are required to take a couple of extra steps in order to receive the $500 of additional stimulus money per child. The deadline to provide this information is April 22nd, 2020!

Households who do not meet the April 22nd deadline will still receive their $1,200 payment per qualifying adult, but the additional $500 per eligible child amount would not be paid until filing income taxes for the year 2020.

Complete details can be found on the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/ssa-rrb-recipients-with-eligible-children-need-to-act-by-wednesday-to-quickly-add-money-to-their-automatic-economic-impact-payment-irs-asks-for-help-in-the-plus-500-push

Due to today's announcement from Missouri Governor Parson, we will be extending our agency's closure to the public until May 3rd, 2020. Conditions will continue to be monitored as that date approaches. We are still working to provide services to our clients, so continue to call, fax, email, postal mail, and etc. if you are in need of help!

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved the Missouri Department of Social Services’ request to use USDA foods to operate Disaster Household Distribution in response to COVID-19.  Through May 7, 2020, Missourians in need can get a food package from mobile and drive-by locations through six Missouri food banks at over 200 distribution sites. Disaster Household Distribution expects to serve over 90,000 Missourians, including elderly households, households with health conditions, and the recently unemployed. Each food package weighs approximately 25 pounds and contains vegetables, fruits, pasta/rice/starch, protein, and dairy products. Missourians in our area are urged to contact one of the numbers below to inquire about locations, dates, and availability.
 
Harvesters Community Food Network (816) 929-3000
or
Second Harvest Community Food Bank (816) 364-3663
 
For more information on food banks or food pantries, visit Feeding Missouri (www.feedingmissouri.org) or use the Missouri Services Navigator (www.mo.servicesnavigator.org). 

Missourians can now search through over 2000 essential services, such as food pantries, childcare, counseling, social services, employment, and more through the newly created Missouri Services Navigator system. This online database links families in need with up-to-date resources for their location, including maps and contact information for the listed agencies. The new system was developed by Missouri Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act partners in cooperation with Missouri’s state agencies and local Workforce Development Boards.