MDHS recovers more than $1,000 in welfare fraud case
Mississippi Department of Human Services has received full restitution in a welfare fraud case from Columbus, according to a MDHS press release. The department’s Benefit
Charlie Mitchell: State’s plan to ‘help druggies’ has abysmal results
Last year Mississippi lawmakers insisted it was essential to start drug-testing welfare applicants.
New Kansas rules would limit spending of welfare benefits
A new Kansas law tells poor families that they can’t use cash assistance from the state to attend concerts, get tattoos, see a psychic or buy lingerie. The list of don’ts runs to several dozen items.
Drug tests: 2 of 38 welfare applicants positive
During the first four months of Mississippi’s new welfare drug testing law, 3,656 people have applied for welfare, 38 of them have been tested for drugs and two tested positive.
No welfare cut for kids if parent tests for drugs
Mississippi children would not lose welfare if a parent’s benefits are cut off because of positive tests for illegal drugs, according to rules set by the state Department of Human Services.
Public speaks on Mississippi welfare drug tests
A Mississippi agency should be cautious in carrying out a new welfare drug-testing law and should not set administrative rules that could penalize an entire household for one person’s behavior, advocates for civil liberties and poor people told officials Tuesday.
Hearing set on Miss. welfare drug-testing law
The Mississippi Department of Human Services is holding a public hearing Tuesday to gather comments about a new welfare drug-testing law.
Governor signs welfare drug-testing bill
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed a welfare drug-testing bill on Monday, requiring those who test positive to get treatment in order to get cash.
‘Octomom’ pleads not guilty to charges of welfare fraud
“Octomom” Nadya Suleman pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of failing to report $30,000 that authorities say she was earning when she applied for public assistance benefits.
House passes welfare drug-testing bill
The Mississippi House engaged in a contentious four-hour debate Wednesday before voting largely along party lines to pass a bill that would require drug testing for some people applying for welfare.
Welfare drug testing bill advances to House
The Mississippi House is expected to vote Wednesday on a welfare drug testing bill that Republican Gov. Phil Bryant is pushing, weeks after a judge struck down a similar law in Florida.
Gov. Bryant pushing welfare drug testing
Republican Phil Bryant is starting his third year as Mississippi governor, and he says he wants to make public safety the top focus of the 2014 legislative session, which begins at noon Tuesday. He wants to train more state troopers and create “strike force” groups to help local law enforcement officers in areas where mayors or county supervisors say there are problems with gangs, drugs or violent crime.
Miss. House passes bill banning welfare waivers
Renewing a political fight from last year’s presidential campaign, House Republicans passed a bill Wednesday that would prevent the Obama administration from waiving work requirements in the landmark 1996 welfare reform law.
Obama’s welfare waiver: Gutting rules or tweaking?
WASHINGTON — Welfare is causing a ruckus in the presidential campaign. But the program is a shadow of its old self from the 1970s, when Ronald Reagan used the image of “welfare queens” to assail government poverty programs promoted by liberals.