Updates for Missourians dealing with the impact of COVID-19

In response to the continued spread of the coronavirus in Missouri, Gov. Parson and his administration have made several important changes to help all those who are being impacted by COVID-19. Representative Patricia Pike and her office staff are available to help expedite answers for your questions. Contact them at (573) 751-5388 or e-mail at Patricia.Pike@house.mo.gov. Please be aware of the following important changes:

Missouri Medicaid-MO HealthNet: Eligibility for any Medicaid participant will not be terminated unless the individual requests a voluntary termination of eligibility or the individual ceases to be a resident of the state through the end of the federal emergency COVID-19 declaration

• Extending 90 days of MO HealthNet coverage to Missourians ages 19-64 who test positive for COVID-19 and meet the income and resource eligibility guidelines

• Relaxing requirements related to prescription refills and prior authorizations to ensure participants have access to essential medications

• Expediting new provider enrollment applications and waiving certain enrollment requirements such as application fees and on-site visits to enable providers to serve Medicaid participants

• Waiving the co-payment for any services provided by means of telehealth

Food Stamp/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• The Family Support Division is waiving all work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents for 90 days

Child Care Subsidy Program

• Child Care Subsidy benefits are extended for 90 days

• Provider application renewals are extended for 90 days

• Approve additional hours of care for families on a case-by-case basis

Family Support Division has requested waivers from the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service to:

• Waive all Food Stamp adverse action notices for 90 days;

• Waive initial in-person Food Stamp interviews for 90 days and

• Extend Food Stamp certification periods by 6 months - this waiver has been received

Relief for Missouri Families and Businesses

• Filing deadline extended: The deadline to file income tax returns has been extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.

• Payment relief for individuals and corporations: Income tax payment deadlines for individual and corporate income returns with a due date of April 15, 2020, are extended until July 15, 2020. This payment relief applies to all individual income tax returns, income tax returns filed by C Corporations, and income tax returns filed by trusts or estates. The Department of Revenue will automatically provide this relief, so filers do not need to take any additional steps to qualify.

• This relief for individuals and corporations will also include estimated tax payments for tax year 2020 that are due on April 15, 2020.

• Penalties and interest will begin to accrue on any remaining unpaid balances as of July 16, 2020. Individuals and corporations that file their return or request an extension of time to file by July 15, 2020, will automatically avoid interest and penalties on the tax paid by July 15.

• Vehicle owners with registrations or license plates expiring in March and April have been granted an automatic two-month extension. Owners will be able to continue operating their vehicles on Missouri roadways without penalty until they can apply for renewal.

• The time frame in which a vehicle safety and emission inspection is valid for March and April license plate expirations has also been extended an additional 60 days. Applicants for title will not be assessed a late title penalty when visiting a license office, effective immediately; this waiver will continue through April 30, 2020.

• Valid Missouri driver licenses, nondriver licenses and noncommercial instruction permits with original expiration dates of March 1, 2020, through April 30, 2020, have been granted an automatic 60-day extension.

Help for Small Businesses and Non-Profits

• The U.S. Small Business Administration approved Missouri’s request for assistance through the federal agency’s disaster loan program. This move makes low interest disaster loans available to small businesses and private non-profits severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

• SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance for each affected small business or non-profit. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.

• Applicants will be able to apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance