Jennifer Tidball Archives

Low-income Missourians struggling with cooling bills during pandemic now have more options

June 18, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

The state Department of Social Services (DSS) has announced an additional $15 million in funding for the low-income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP).

State Department of Social Services (DSS) Acting Director Jennifer Tidball briefs Capitol reporters in Jefferson City on June 16, 2020. She was joined by Governor Mike Parson (photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

DSS Acting Director Jennifer Tidball made this week’s announcement during a Statehouse press conference in Jefferson City, where she joined the governor. Tidball tells Capitol reporters that the program assists low-income Missourians with payments for their summer cooling bills through September.

“The additional dollars doubles the maximum benefit amount to $600 per household and allows the Department of Social Services to serve a greater number of Missourians,” Tidball says.

She emphasizes that dangerously high temperatures can make homes unsafe.

“Excessive summer heat is dangerous and an additional hardship for many Missouri families struggling financially and unable to afford their cooling bills,” says Tidball.

To be eligible for LIHEAP, low-income Missourians must be responsible for paying home cooling costs. They also must have $3,000 or less in bank and retirement accounts, and have a household income of 135 percent or less of the federal poverty level.

That is a monthly income of $2,897 or less, for a family of four.

About 115,000 Missouri households received LIHEAP assistance in federal fiscal year 2019.

Tidball says Missourians who have questions about the program can call DSS at 855-FSD-INFO. That number is answered weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Click here to read more about the LIHEAP program. DSS also notes some contracted agencies may also provide emergency services, including emergency lodging and central air replacement and repair.

Missouri set to restart food stamp recertification checks on July 1

June 17, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

Missouri set to restart food stamp recertification process on July 1

The Missouri Department of Social Services’ temporary waiver of recertification for SNAP program participants ends this month. The process was suspended during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

Jennifer Tidball, Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Social Services, joined Gov. Mike Parson today at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City to announce the state will begin checking again on Missourians getting food stamps to ensure they still qualify for the benefits.

As of April 30, 360,937 Missouri households or 752,315 individuals receive Food Stamp/SNAP benefits. More than 16,000 SNAP households in Missouri are due for recertification in July.

Letters have already gone out to some households due for recertification next month.

Food Stamp participants must complete their recertification form every year, or every two years, if the individual is aged, blind, or disabled.

(VIDEO) Key takeaways from today’s press briefing about COVID-19 in Missouri

March 30, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

The latest state data released today shows at least 1031 people have tested positive in Missouri for the coronavirus – up from 903 positive cases confirmed yesterday. Thirteen coronavirus related deaths have been reported. Western Missouri’s Lafayette County recorded its first death tied to the respiratory disease.

About 15,645 patients have been tested by a public or private lab.

Gov. Mike Parson (Photo courtesy of Governor’s Flickr page)

During a Capitol press briefing today, Gov. Mike Parson says some estimates show Missouri could peak mid-April in its case count of people testing positive for COVID-19.

“I think we’re still 60, 90 days away of getting through this virus and that’s kind of a best case scenario,” says Parson. “But I do look somewhere between the middle of April. I think we’re going to be able to get some new information, new statistics, I hope so to be able to do that and hope we start turning the corner. But the reality of it is, I think we’ve got to all realize that this is going to be a long-term and I don’t want to give false hope to anybody.”

Many Missourians cooped up in their homes got out to a state park over the weekend to get some fresh air and enjoy the weather. But word has gotten out that some were not keeping their social distance. Parson says he is considering whether to close state parks.

“A little disappointing of what happened over the weekend at some of the state parks. We’re trying to leave facilities like that open for the general public, but unfortunately people didn’t abide by the rules. We’re talking about the social distancing,” says Parson. “So, we’re going to make that decision. We’re in discussions about that right now, whether we close those parks down or not.”

The rules the governor is referring to include remaining six feet apart and limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people. Parson says he plans to expand his social distancing order.

“You know I think it’s just a matter of where we move that timeframe to,” says Parson. “Again, you know I’m thinking we’re at least 30-60 days away from any kind of lifting any orders, but we’re evaluating that daily.”

His current order expires April 6.

Jennifer Tidball, acting director of the Missouri Department of Social Services (Photo courtesy of Governor’s Flickr page)

Several announcements were made during today’s press briefing. Many of them were reminders for those who watch the daily briefings but perhaps new to those not following the state’s coronavirus response as closely. Two new announcements deal with daycare providers and doctors.

The state is making a temporary payment to Missouri’s roughly 2,400 childcare centers receiving subsidies. Jennifer Tidball, acting director of the Missouri Department of Social Services, says the decision is in response to many providers being closed during the coronavirus outbreak.

“We will be making a temporary payment through our Department of Social Services childcare subsidy payments to ensure that providers receive no less amount for March services or services through the emergency timeframe than what they received as an average payment for December, January and February,” she says at today’s press briefing.

Tidball wants providers to pass on some of the funding to their workers to help maintain their employment when the businesses reopen.

Department of Commerce and Insurance Director Chlora Lindley-Myers (Photo courtesy of Governor’s Flickr page)

Meanwhile, Missouri is letting doctors and surgeons licensed in other states care for patients here in person or through telehealth options during the pandemic. Department of Commerce and Insurance Director Chlora Lindley-Myers says the decision applies to those who have not had their active licenses disciplined.

“By having this access granted to additional providers, we increase our ability to meet the needs of Missouri patients who are being tested and treated for COVID-19,” she says.

Missouri RNs and LPN’s are already allowed to practice in person or through telehealth in their home state and 32 other states.

Effective immediately, Parson has also temporarily waived the regulation requiring that a collaborating physician and an advanced practice registered nurse be within 75 miles of each other.

You can watch the entire briefing is below.