The calculated dismantling of Missouri’s benefit programs for struggling citizens continued in April 2019.
► The total number of Missourians on Temporary Assistance is down 15.7% from April 2018.
► The number of Missourians Enrolled on MO HealthNet dropped by 11,319 people from March to April of this year.
► The number of Missourians on Food Stamps [SNAP] declined by 6.8% – 50,289 people – from April 2018.
By the way, that Food Stamp drop is about the same as the population of Joplin [Missouri Demographics].
That’s a helluva lot of Missourians.
Now state officials say, again and again, that the “improving economy” is causing the steep drop in benefit recipients. Yes, and I’m taking over the lead from Tom Cruise in the next Mission: Impossible movie…
While a small part of the decline may be the result of the improving economy (which isn’t improving in Missouri as much as it is in the rest of America), evidence is growing that most of the losses are due to a mix of bureaucratic ineptitude; bad systems; and, deliberate actions to punish “those people.”
State workers have not gotten a handle on routine re-certification procedures. Years of mistakes and a needless rush to get “caught up” are causing qualifying families to lose benefits.
The computer system update, due to be finished in 2013, will not be finished until 2022 or beyond. The new system still hasn’t touched Food Stamps, the second largest program by recipients and biggest in transaction count. Ironically, this modernization is taking soooo looong that the first round of improvements will need to be updated before the system is fully implemented.
Republicans in the legislature and the accidental governor do not hide their disdain for poor people. Remember, for example, this past session a serious proposal to require work requirements for Medicaid/MO HealthNet patients was in line for floor debate when the clock ran out – despite the reality that a person working the required 80 hours a month in a minimum wage job would earn too much to get Medicaid!
Oh yes, let’s not forget what fraying cord prevents hunger and want from overwhelming our state: Charity.
Pantries continue to work extremely hard to feed those without food. Uncompensated care (often in emergency rooms) is preventing many needless deaths.
Of course, not everyone gets the food or care they need. Yet, the Republican Party demands less state government, less compassion for our neighbors, more suffering.
April Benefit Numbers
2019 2015
TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE
Kids 16,417 49,033
Parents 4,779 23,191
TOTAL 21,196 72,224
Benefits $2,060,499 $6,401,436
Per Family $221.15 $226.68
Per Day $ 7.37 $7.56
MO HEALTHNET
Enrolled 881,022 926,026
Covered 921,252 934,573
Cost $748,838,081 $645,733,949
Per Patient $812.85 $690.94
Managed Care 647,888 441,188
Premium $248.78 $207.60
FOOD STAMPS
Participants 684,676 844,467
Benefits $81,677,114 $104,276,166
Per Person $119.29 $123.48
Per Meal $1.33 $1.37
Sources:
https://dss.mo.gov/re/pdf/fsd_mhdmr/1904-family-support-mohealthnet-report.pdf
https://dss.mo.gov/re/pdf/fsd_mhdmr/1504-family-support-mohealthnet-report.pdf
https://dss.mo.gov/re/pdf/fsd_mhdmr/1903-family-support-mohealthnet-report.pdf
Fortunately, as we all know, the cost of food and other living expenses have declined dramatically over the last five years, so, those lower food stamp and Temporary Assistance benefits have no impact. Yeah.
Another Problem For The Accidental Governor
After tax forms were filed (and taxes paid) Missouri’s General Revenue collections hit the target 2.8% increase required for the Fiscal Year 2019 budget.
Well, by the end of business on May 28 the state’s revenue picture has melted a bit. Year To Date General Revenue collections had slid to just 1.88% ahead of the same date in FY2018. Worse, Individual Income Tax receipts – the state’s greatest source of General Revenue – were down 1.34%. 
If these trends continue, as they probably will, by the end of June Missouri will fall short of the Consensus Revenue Target (that 2.8%) by better than $100,000,000.00. [Missouri House of Representatives]
Glenn