Use this document to locate information about government assistance available to the residents of Greene County and Missouri in the wake of Covid-19.
Provided below:
Missouri Department of Social Services
Missouri Work Assistance
SNAP
CHIP/Mo Health Network for Kids
Childcare
The Child Care Subsidy Program
Head Start
Crisis Care for Families
Main Contact information for Department of Social Services
Unemployment
MO UI
Division of Employment Security
Missouri Job Center
Housing Assistance
CARES Act
OACAC
Missouri Department of Social Services:
*Resource Centers are currently closed to the public.
The Missouri Department of Social Services is responsible for coordinating programs to provide public assistance, health care coverage, child welfare services, and assistance to troubled youth in Missouri.
Missouri Work Assistance Program
The Missouri Work Assistance (MWA) program helps Temporary Assistance (TA) recipients become ready for a job, get real work experience, find employment, and keep a job.
SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/Food Stamp Program
The Food Stamp Program helps low-income individuals buy food. To apply for the Food Stamp Program, you must complete the application for Food Stamp benefits. You can drop off, mail, fax or complete an application at a Family Support Division (FSD) office.
*FSD office is currently closed until further notice.
CHIP or Mo Health Network for Kids
The MO HealthNet (Medicaid) for Kids provides medical care for children under 19 years of age whose family income falls within certain guidelines. After your application has been processed, you will receive a letter from the Family Support Division. If you are eligible for services you will be issued a “MO HealthNet Identification Card” and an explanation of the medical services available to you.
Alternatively, an application can be requested by phone at 855-373-4636
Childcare
The Child Care Subsidy Program assists eligible Missouri parents and guardians with payments for child care. This program helps families with the cost of child care so that they are able to focus on finding and holding steady work that can support their family's needs.
*Local offices are not available to the public at this time. However applications can be filled out online or via a paper application that can be mailed to the following address:
Family Support Division
615 E 13th St.
Kansas City, MO 64106
Questions? Contact FSD at 1-855-373-4636
Early Head Start
Early Head Start (EHS) program provides an early, continuous, intensive, and comprehensive child development program to children under the age of 3 and whose family's incomes are at or below the federal poverty line.
OACAC Head Start: 2723 S Meadowbrook Ave, Springfield, MO | 417-886-7324
Crisis Care Help for Families
Some communities have Crisis Care, which is a free service to families and is designed to alleviate immediate crisis or emergency situations, but is also designed to enhance the family's capability of preventing future crisis or emergency situations from occurring.
Isabel’s House Crisis Nursery of the Ozarks: 2750 W. Bennett, Springfield, MO | 417-865-2273
Ozark Family Resource Center: 1212 W. Lombard, Springfield, MO | 417-861-4244
Contact information for the Department of Social Services
*Due to Covid-19 not all offices are open at this time.
Family Support Division (FSD) Information Center, 855-373-4636
Hours: Monday – Friday, 6 am to 6:30 pm and Saturday 8 am to 5:00 pm
FSD Automated Line 800-392-1261; Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week
When calling the Automated Line make sure you have your DOB and SSN available.
To send documents to the Department of Social Services, use either the email or fax number provided. DSS requests that if you have questions direct them to the Information Center Number 855-373-4636
Email: FSD.Documents@dss.mo.gov
Fax: 573-526-9400
Unemployment
Missouri Unemployment Insurance
For the most up-to-date information on how COVID-19 is affecting unemployment claims, go to the MO Department of Labor's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Page.
You must apply for Unemployment Insurance online. There are no options to file claims in person or by mail.
Call 573-751-9040 (Jefferson City) or 417-895-6851 (Springfield) for assistance with MO UI. If you want to speak to a person, expect long wait times due to high call volume.
Division of Employment Security
The Division of Employment Security (DES) supports the Department of Labor's vision statement by administering the state's Unemployment Insurance (UI) program.
505 E Walnut St, Springfield, MO 65806
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
Call 417-895-6851
Missouri Job Center
The Job Center’s purpose is to help Missouri residents find work. The Southern Hills Shopping Center location has re-opened to the public, as well as a new North affiliate at The Fairbanks. Both locations have socially-distanced computers available for job search purposes.
Main Office
2900 E. Sunshine St, Springfield, MO 65804
Open 8:00am to 5:00pm M-F
Call 417-887-4343
North Affiliate
1126 N. Broadway Ave, Springfield, MO 65802
Open 8:00am to 4:30pm M-Th (closed Fridays)
Call 417-834-6660
Housing Assistance
Under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Missouri will receive funding for additional resources to help meet emerging needs, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program.
Moratoriums on Evictions
Under the CARES Act, a moratorium on foreclosures for all federally-backed mortgages, including those covered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Federal Housing Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac was put in place for 60 days starting March 18th.
Under the bill, a borrower with a federally-backed mortgage experiencing a financial hardship due to COVID-19 may also request a forbearance for up to 180 days. The bill also instituted a moratorium on filings for evictions for renters in homes covered by a federally-backed mortgage for 120 days.
OACAC Housing AssistanceThe Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation offers help with rental payments to low-income residents who meet certain requirements.
Call 417-864-3444 for help with Housing Assistance
Greene County Center Office
560 A N. Stewart Ave, Springfield, MO 65802
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm
Call 417-447-0554 for the Greene County Center office
*Library cardrequired for use outside the Library