Economic Security Issues

Nearly 46,000 Missourians were overpaid unemployment benefits in 2020, largely due to administrative errors tied to the unprecedented volume of unemployment claims related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the hardship repayment would place on families who are already struggling Read More

A state Earned Income Tax Credit would provide a much-needed boost for hardworking families. This bottom-up tax cut builds the middle class, spurs local economic growth, and provides long-term benefits to families and communities. Updated February 2021 Read More

By directing a small portion of remaining federal COVID relief funds to Missourians who have exhausted their regular state unemployment benefits, state lawmakers have the opportunity to stimulate local economies and help Missourians struggling to pay their bills – while Read More

Last week, Missouri legislators convened a Special Legislative Session to discuss allocation of the remainder of the Coronavirus Relief Fund in Missouri. While the Governor’s Supplemental Budget request and House Bill 14, the corresponding supplemental appropriations bill, both Read More

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) plays a vital role in reducing food insecurity and provides a critical boost to local economies throughout the state. Learn more about SNAP eligibility and benefits, who utilizes SNAP, and its impact on health and other Read More

Each day, essential workers provide healthcare, put food on our tables, deliver essential supplies, or provide the transportation, childcare, and other services necessary to keep us all safe and healthy during the pandemic. Yet too many workers in these industries do not have the Read More

The drastic increase in unemployment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will contribute to rising demand for food assistance as an increasing number of Missourians struggle to make ends meet. To meet this surge in demand, the federal government is providing an additional $26.8 Read More

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was signed into law on March 27th, provides a number of supports to states, families and individuals which are intended to provide economic relief and counteract some of the damaging effects of the COVID-19 Read More

The health and economic effects of the Coronavirus will require an aggressive state and local policy response to help families make ends meet and avoid disastrous economic consequences. It is critical for Missouri to act in tandem with federal responses in order to cushion the Read More

This primer is intended to serve as a guide for Missourians who care about community services for Missouri’s seniors & people with disabilities, and increase the transparency of the budget by providing information on where key programs can be found in the budget bills. Read More