Food stamps (SNAP) in
Mississippi.

Most states drop the SNAP savings test through broad-based categorical eligibility. Mississippi is missing from FNA's June 2026 BBCE chart, so MDHS keeps both the federal 130% gross limit and the resource limits: $3,000, or $4,750 with a member 60 or older or disabled.

Under regular federal rules, a household with an older or disabled member does not have to meet the gross limit at all, only the net limit. For everyone else, $3,575 a month for four is the ceiling, the same figure MDHS posts.

MDHS asks households to report within 10 days when gross earned or unearned income changes by more than $150, and when an ABAWD's work hours fall below 20 a week, averaged monthly. Gambling or lottery wins worth $4,750 or more also have to be reported within 10 days.

Extra benefits from an unreported change must be paid back, and MDHS can pursue fraud charges. Changes can be filed through the Common Web Portal or on the change reporting form, MDHS-EA-946.

ESAP uses a simpler form, MDHS EA 904, for households where everyone is 65 or older, or where the 65-plus members buy and cook apart from the others, and no one earns wages. A household that fits ESAP must use it instead of regular SNAP.

ESAP and MSCAP participants have their own help line, 800-948-4060. The form is posted in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

The Mississippi Combined Application Project streamlines SNAP for people on SSI. You need the maximum SSI payment, or SSI plus other unearned income such as Social Security or VA benefits that reaches that level, no earned income, and to live alone or buy and prepare meals separately.

You can apply through your Social Security office or the local MDHS county office.

On June 11, 2026 MDHS set every SNAP account to block online and out-of-state purchases, including grocery delivery and store pickup ordered online. The goal is to stop skimming and card cloning.

Pick a setting in the ConnectEBT app, on the ConnectEBT website or at 866-512-5087: lock the card everywhere, keep the default block, or unlock it everywhere. MDHS warns that unlocking everywhere raises the risk of theft.

The 3-months-in-36 limit applies to adults 18 to 64 unless they cannot work, are pregnant, care for a child under 14, are exempt from the general work rules, or are an Indian as defined by the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

The general rules excuse people under 16 or over 60, caregivers of a child under 6 or an incapacitated person, half-time students, people in drug or alcohol treatment, anyone receiving unemployment, and those working 30 hours a week or earning the federal minimum wage times 30.

You can appeal any agency action within 90 days. Ask within 10 days of the notice to keep benefits at the current rate until a decision or the end of your certification period. Use the back of your notice, form MDHS-OIG-200 or a letter.

Send it to admin.hearings@mdhs.ms.gov, fax 601-359-5047, MDHS Administrative Hearings, P.O. Box 352, Jackson, MS 39201, or your county office, or call 601-359-4921. Hearings are usually by phone; form F091A requests a face-to-face hearing.