- TO:
- ALL COUNTY OFFICES
- FROM:
- JANEL R. LUCK, DIRECTOR
- SUBJECT:
- TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE PROCESSING FOR HURRICANE GUSTAV EVACUEES
DISCUSSION:
Individuals who are current Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) participants in the areas affected by Hurricane Gustav do not need to apply for Temporary Assistance (TA) in Missouri, unless they intend to make Missouri their permanent residence. Individuals who are not currently receiving benefits and declare Missouri residence may be eligible for TA benefits in Missouri.
CURRENT TA PARTICIPANTS FROM AFFECTED AREAS
Evacuees who are current TANF participants in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Texas may use their home state EBT cards in Missouri to access their benefits. If they need a replacement card, they should call the customer service number for their state.
Provide phone numbers listed below to any evacuees requesting assistance to replace their EBT card in their state of residence.
- Alabama
- Alabama Customer Service Line at 1-800-997-8888.
- Mississippi
- Mississippi EBT Customer Service at 1-866-512-5087.
- Louisiana
- Louisiana Customer Service Helpline at 1-888-997-1117.
- Texas
- Lone Star Helpdesk at 1-800-777-7328.
APPLICATIONS FOR MISSOURI TA BENEFITS
Accept applications for evacuees and request verification necessary to determine eligibility. If the applicant declares they have no plans to return to the affected area or to leave Missouri for another state, consider them Missouri residents with the intent to remain. Eligibility Specialists are to have a discussion with the evacuees in order to make a determination as to their plans to remain in Missouri.
Follow all standard verification policies. Do not follow Hurricane Katrina/Rita policy from 2005. If further clarification is needed on case specific situations, contact Family Support Division's Program and Policy Unit through appropriate supervisory channels.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
- Take TA applications and process as a Missouri resident if the individual has no plans to return to the affected area or leave Missouri for another state.
- No TA application is required if the individual is a current TANF recipient in their state of residence, unless the individual plans to make Missouri his/her permanent residence.
- Provide phone numbers to evacuees as appropriate.