Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Challenges have included little on-the-ground outreach in the states most populous county and delays in setting up the state system to vet applications, according to advocates and program leaders. "Its a slap in the face. We do not sell or share your information with anyone. The municipality had the fifth highest eviction rate among the nations largest cities, according to an analysis from The Eviction Lab. by Bobby Harrison, Mississippi Today May 12, 2021, This and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.. Other states with Republican governors, such as Nebraska and Arkansas, have previously declined the federal funding that would help residents pay for housing and utilities. All images and videos posted by MDAC are copyrighted images and videos of MDAC and are the property of MDAC. The Mississippi Department of Revenue is aware of the new pressures on the business community and state governments in responding to the COVID 19 pandemic. The funding is part of a total $19.5 billion package to help state governments recover from expenses related to the pandemic Mississippi's largest cities will see an allocation of over $100. On Friday, the state's Republican governor, Tate Reeves, said he remained committed . Founded in 2016 as the states first nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom, Mississippi Todays roots in Capitol coverage have grown to encompass a myriad of beats beyond politics and policy, including education, public health, justice, environment, equity, and, yes, sports. More clinics were planned over the next month, but they will have to be canceled because of Reeve's decision, she said. Roofing projects at West Hills and Carver elementary schools, as well as plumbing upgrades at most of the campuses to add touchless fixtures are also planned. USAGov is the official guide to government information and services, Financial assistance for food, housing, and bills, Financial assistance for housing and bills, Passports and travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, Federal websites with COVID-19 information, Directory of U.S. government agencies and departments. All rights reserved. Please reload the page and try again. However, the Department will recognize any federal extension filed with the Internal Revenue Service on May 15, 2020. However, when and how those calculations are done and what impact they have is set by law. The press release issued by the Department of Revenue on March 26, 2020 stated that penalty and interest would not be charged on prior or new liabilities during the period of the presidentially declared national emergency. Many Mississippi families who were already struggling to make ends meet before the pandemic have been adversely impacted as businesses have closed, laid off workers or reduced the number of their employees in response to economic shifts brought on by the pandemic. Restaurants and bars located within the boundaries of an LRD may serve mixed drinks to their patrons and allow patrons to leave the licensed premises with an open container of alcohol (to-go cup). To file an Unemployment Claim, visit the MDES website at www.mdes.ms.gov or call the MDES Contact Center at 601-493-9427. She also partnered with local chapters of the NAACP to help raise awareness. This page will be updated as additional information and resources become available. Individuals may contact their local community action agency (CAA) or human resource agency (HRA) to apply for both types of assistance. Pandemic assistance from state and . According to the guidelines from the Department of Treasury, the states and local governments have broad discretion in how the funds can be spent. . The disparity in spending is not unique to Mississippi. Although both counties outsourced the administration of emergency rental assistance funds, Harrison County contracted with a local nonprofit, while Hinds selected an out-of-state company. Housing rights advocates and participants in the Mississippi program said the issue in their state isn't finding work, like Reeves said, it's finding wages that can pay for growing living costs. On a state level, Mississippi never suffered a revenue loss because of COVID-19, and, in fact, tax collections for the current fiscal year have been growing. $59 million - Department of Child Protection Services For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. In March 2020, Congress set aside approximately $13.2 billion in relief funds for public schools across the nation through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. The website for the Department of Treasury instructs: The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds provide substantial flexibility for each government to meet local needsincluding support for households, small businesses, impacted industries, essential workers, and the communities hardest hit by the crisis. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 law recently passed by Congress ends emergency allotments after the February 2023 issuance. LRDs are established by city ordinance. Johnson wants to see the county invest in door-to-door outreach, billboards and flyers in grocery stores to get the word out. It's a slap in the face. Johnson left extra packets in case a family member or friend needed one, too. That is one initiative we found we cannot do without, so going forward that is going to be a priority for us is to fund the iPads absent ESSER funds because we feel it is a necessity for our students to have a device.. Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) SBA Debt Relief. The county tapped Florida-based vendor The Integrity Group to administer payments. In Mississippi, the nation's poorest state, many are desperate for help to pay rent. During this year's legislative session, the House and Senate made plans to spend most of that money. To be eligible for federal emergency rental assistance, tenants must make no more than 80 percent of the area median household income. "We must guard against big government socialism where people are incentivized not to work but are instead encouraged to rely on government handouts well after an emergency is over," Ricketts said in March. This collection of social media tiles can be used for Instagram and Twitter to assist our partners in communicating about the upcoming changes to SNAP benefits. by Geoff Pender, Mississippi Today June 9, 2021, This and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.. The Integrity Group also held an online information session, but the county lacked someone to help applicants navigate the process in-person until late May, and that assistance is only available in downtown Jackson. The Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF), through the CARES Act, provides payments to state, local and tribal governments impacted by COVID-19. Thesereturnsshouldbefiled andpaidon thenormal duedate. This extension applies to Individual Income Tax returns, Corporate Income and Franchise Tax returns, and Fiduciary Income Tax returns. Help keep the momentum going by rejoining our member community today. Therefore, it is not legal for permittees outside of an LRD's boundaries to include mixed drinks in their "to go" orders. K-12 education: $50 million for K-12 internet connectivity, Governor: $50 million for governors discretionary fund, Workforce: $55 million for workforce development, Local government: $70 million for cities and counties. However, all impacted households will experience a net gain, as the adjustment increases Social Security benefits more than it decreases SNAP benefits. This is commonly referred to as a doggie bag. Emergency/disaster response: $40 million to Mississippi Emergency Management Agency for pandemic expenses. Generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds. Judiciary: $2.5 million for courts and judiciary, Small business relief: $300 million for small business relief grants (only about half of this was used for the grants, with the remainder redirected to other programs or the unemployment fund), Health: $4 million to the Health Department to reimburse specialty hospitals for pandemic expenses. The Department of Revenue will not assess penalty and interest for the period of suspension and will only charge penalty and interest effective August 20, 2020.The Department of Revenue will resume issuing assessments on August 20, 2020. Mississippi will receive a $3.3 million share . "We cannot justify asking for federal relief when Nebraska has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation and we are no longer in a state of emergency.. MDHS has also received over $15 million in Community Services Block Grant CARES Act funding to assist households with rent, mortgage, employment, and educational expenses. Please reload the page and try again. By law, all income (both earned and unearned) is included when determining SNAP eligibility and benefit amounts, unless explicitly excluded by statute. All Rights Reserved. Mississippis statewide program to distribute federal funds has also gotten a slow start, spending less than 2 percent of the $186 million dedicated to helping tenants pay back rent, or past-due utility bills, as of June 24. During the pandemic, Mississippi has had the highest COVID-19 death rate of any state outside the Northeast. Similar rules apply for the funds going to the local governments. "They don't care. Mississippi received $1.25 billion in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act pandemic relief in 2020. Total CRF funding allocated to Mississippi is approximately $1.25 billion. The county school district also has spent millions in ESSER I and II funds to purchase iPads for all of students in kindergarten through 12th grades to help with distance learning. Create a recurring donation today to join our mission. READ MORE: CARES Act money was supposed to help Mississippi businesses. Jeremiah Smith, who leads 662 Tenants Union in a small Delta town, said he knew numerous renters who dropped out of the process because it took months to receive a response, and Mississippi Home Corporation was often difficult to contact. Equal Opportunity in Employment and Services. Even if the money is returned by states, he said it will continue to go toward housing. The county school district has also used the funds to hire about 20 new staff members at its campuses, including an instructional technologist to help teachers with digital learning, a computer technician to assist the schools, more school nurses, as well as interventionists and graduation coaches to work with students who may be behind academically due to the pandemic. The Rental Assistance for Mississippians Program, or RAMP, offered up to 15 months of rental and utility bill assistance for those in need. SNAP emergency allotments were a temporary strategy authorized by Congress to help low-income individuals and families deal with the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic. We spent every single penny of it, said Ken Hardy, director of federal programs and accountability for the Lauderdale County School District. More than 3,300 requests for help had been submitted. A coalition of nonprofits that works to help people apply for the program said it is difficult to access, particularly in a state that struggles with high illiteracy rates and low broadband availability. Next time, 'it will be worse': Jackson, Mississippi, water crisis is a warning, residents say. Any taxpayer that has been impacted and is unable to file by the extended due date may request an extension from our office by contacting us at 601-923-7700 or, Telephone/Internet Liquor Order & Curbside Delivery. CAAs/HRAs are encouraged to work with other state and local agencies to provide maximum coordination of services for households through referrals. FEMA Disaster Relief Fund. "We heard so many stories. "A lot of these people were able to afford where they were living prior to this explosion of rental increases, and now this spike is causing major financial issues for families," Robinson said. Offering Mississippians Young and Old Tangible Help Today to Create Lasting Hope for Tomorrow, SNAP EBT beneficiaries residing in areas affected by the severe storm can purchase ready-to-eat hot foods with th twitter.com/i/web/status/1, The P-EBT call center will close April 28. Review requests will continue to be processed even after the call center twitter.com/i/web/status/1, What am I able to buy with EBT benefits? The goal of MDHS is to serve as many non-traditional clients as possible, who are mainly the households that have been directly or directly impacted due to COVID-19, said Tina Ruffin, Director of the MDHS Division of Community Services. The one-to-one initiative is the big one, to be able to give each student an iPad, Hardy said. Heres a breakdown of how state lawmakers spent the money, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. But the vast majority of that money has not been spent, and there are large disparities in who is receiving help, and how quickly theyre getting it, according to a review of the latest program data and interviews with experts and advocates. With your help, we've gotten a lot done but we're not finished yet! An official website of the United States government. SNAPs COLA takes effect at the start of each FNS fiscal year (October) and impacts maximum benefit allotments, income, resource eligibility standards, and annual deductions. The district also is installing new energy efficient HVAC systems in the gyms at Northwest Middle and Magnolia Middle. If you share our stories on social media, please tag us in your posts using. ( WJTV) - Federal COVID Pandemic Assistance Funds are available now through the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS) for youth ages 14 to 26 who have been . The money is a windfall for schools in Mississippi, which have long gone underfunded by the state Legislature based on the formula it created to fund public schools. With your help, we've gotten a lot done but we're not finished yet! And dozens of hearings are scheduled to take place before the moratorium lifts at the end of July. How to apply for disaster assistance FEMA provides financial assistance if you live in a presidentially declared disaster area. Extended Income Tax Filing Deadline - Notice 80-20-002, Mississippi has extended the due date for filing income tax returns from April 15, 2020 to May 15, 2020. You have to go where the people are to share the information.. When the funds became available in March, she emailed 75 landlords about the program. FNS calculates cost-of-living adjustments for SNAP benefits each October. Scott Spivey, executive director of the Mississippi Home Corporation, said the program launched without software that could help speed up the review of applications. "There is a great need, Welchlin said. We do not sell or share your information with anyone. following organizations: Whoops! Contact Glenda Sanders via phone @ 601-693-1551. Pender brings 30 years of political and government reporting experience to Mississippi Today. In rural areas of Hinds County where there are fewer pockets of broadband access, she said, residents face additional hurdles in applying. Yes. Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services (MDCPS) will provide pandemic relief to former foster youth in the form of financial assistance. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. You can only publish select stories individually not as a collection. No, not at this time. However, some households will still experience a larger decrease to their SNAP benefits due to the end of emergency allotments occurring at or around the same time. Rivers Orman, a spokesman for the state agency dedicated to expanding access to moderate- and low-income housing, said in an email that they "have served over36,000households and have distributed over $200 million in funding to help those who were most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic" since June 2021. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska and Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas rejected hundreds of millions of dollars that would have been directed to their states, claiming they were shielding residents from socialist programs they didn't need. Many struggling tenants in Mississippi worry over what will come first: a constable at their front door ordering them to leave, or the arrival of desperately needed rental assistance that will allow them to stay. As restaurants are either limiting sit down meals or can no longer offer sit down meals as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the ABC will also allow permitted restaurants to offer the doggie bag option for to-go orders untilRestaurants and Bars are allowed to open for normal business. Funds will be dispersed by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce by December 15, 2020. She said they would have to bring computers and help people sign up for email accounts for the first time. If a household in a state or territory that is still providing emergency allotments is no longer eligible for SNAP benefits because of their increased income due to the Social Security adjustment, the household would stop receiving SNAP benefits as of January 2023. However, since MASA is a self-certification program, this documentation may not need to be submitted in its entirety with the application. Billions will flow to Mississippi from Rescue Act. JACKSON, Miss (AP) Mississippi will soon stop accepting applications to a federal rental assistance program created during the COVID-19 pandemic to help people stave off evictions, Gov. The Mississippi Legislature recently authorized, through Senate Bills 3058 and 3061, roughly $13 million to assist agriculture producers. The .gov means its official. Delbert Hosemann said earlier this year of the funds coming to the state. Bobby has a bachelor's in American Studies from the University of Southern Mississippi and has received multiple awards from the Mississippi Press Association, including the Bill Minor Best Investigative/In-depth Reporting and Best Commentary Column. The impact is not dollar for dollar. They just don't care," Walker said. While SSAs COLA impacts SNAP benefit amounts every year, the 2023 COLA is the largest in 40 years. Get temporary COVID-19 help from government programs to help pay bills, funeral expenses, and student loans. Partly cloudy skies. These funds can also be used to make necessary investments in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure., Clearly this is something that is transformative to Mississippi, Lt. Gov. This fall, agencies requested over $8 billion. An official website of the United States government. We generally work through that plan as we can with district funding, but not at the rate we are able to do right now. Claims should be limited to one per household or one per farming operation. Managed by the FEMA the Disaster Relief Fund is the primary source of funding for the federal government's domestic general disaster relief programs. Higher ed: $50 million for community colleges. The money is a windfall for schools in Mississippi, which have long gone underfunded by the state Legislature based on the formula it created to fund public schools. Any web site our stories appear on must include a contact for your organization. Applications are subject to review and audits. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply. Penalty andinterestwillnotaccrueontheextensionperiodthroughMay15,2020. The money also can be spent to enhance broadband and water and sewer improvements but not for roads and streets. The temporary boost to SNAP benefits put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, known as emergency allotments, ended nationwide after the February 2023 issuance. . A list of all municipalities that have established an LRD can be found here. JACKSON, Miss. Online filing is encouraged! Copyright 2022 WLBT. Any taxpayer that has been impacted and is unable to file by the extended due date may request an extension from our office by contacting us at 601-923-7700 ordorcustserv@dor.ms.gov., Income Tax Filing Deadline Notice 80-20-001, Leisure and Recreation District (LRD)| 4/7/2020, Mississippi law allows cities to establish a Leisure and Recreation District (LRD). After consultation with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mississippi has extended the due date for filing income tax returns and making first quarter and second quarter estimated payments to July 15, 2020. InconsultationwithGovernorTateReevesandourlegislativeleadership,TheMississippiDepartmentof RevenueisprovidingrelieftoindividualandbusinesstaxpayersduetotheCOVID19pandemic. In housing crisis, the government banned evictions. Aug. 13, 2022, 10:00 AM UTC By Phil McCausland In mere days, Mississippi will end its participation in the federal pandemic rental assistance program that has kept people facing eviction in. Now that a fuller process is in place, he expects to be able to handle hundreds of applications per day going forward. By GLENDA SANDERS | gsanders@themeridianstar.com, MASON, Michael Apr 20, 1954 - Apr 16, 2023, RAMEY, Michael Apr 15, 1940 - Apr 5, 2023, MHS student named Educators Rising president, Meridian investors buy in on solar community, Three-run home run lifts Enterprise over West Lauderdale, Meridian track and field clinches District 6-6A, DAR's Samuel Dale chapter hosts awards tea, BRAD DYE: Meetings, partings, and the gift of time, Three West Lauderdale athletes ink letters of intent, La Familia: The story of a family in South Mississippi, Supervisors hear update on county projects. 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