Parson Acts to Provide Assistance Amid Covid-19 Crisis

Governor Mike Parson announced Saturday a number of ways that his administration will be helping citizens combat Coronavirus in Missouri. Parson directed Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams to help enact measures to slow the spread of Covid-19, including limiting public gatherings to 10 or fewer people, continuing to limit restaurants to carry-out and drive-thru services only, and stopping public visits to nursing, retirement, or assisted living homes or long-term care facilities unless providing critical assistance. All schools statewide will also now be closed until April 6th at minimum, though teachers and staff may enter the building, and schools may also provide child care and food and nutritional services for their students.

Parson also took steps to protect the health and well-being of those most vulnerable. Eligibility for any Medicaid participant will not be terminated unless by request, or the individual is no longer a Missouri resident, while Mo HealthNet coverage will be extended to those between the ages of 19 and 64 testing positive and meeting income guidelines. Refill and prior authorization requirements will be relaxed to ensure access to needed medications, and new applications will be expedited. The co-payment for services provided by telehealth will also be waived.

The Family Support Division will waive all SNAP program work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents for 90 days, while the division has been granted a waiver from the USDA to extend SNAP certification periods by six months. Waivers are also being sought to waive all adverse action notices and initial in-person interviews for 90 days as well. Benefits in the Child Care Subsidy program have been extended for 90 days, as have provider application renewals, with additional hours of care approve for families on a case-by-case basis.

To help provide some financial relief, the deadline to file a state income tax return has been extended to July 15th, matching the federal deadline. The Department of Revenue has also implemented automatic extensions for expiring driver licenses and vehicle registrations for an additional 60 days, allowing those with expiring plates or licenses in March and April to continue to drive legally until plates or licenses can be renewed.

Also Saturday, the Governor’s office reported a total of 90 positive tests currently in the state of Missouri.