Senate Bill 2759 will help needy families in Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss.-- Governor Tate Reeves has signed Senate Bill 2759. It raises the monthly Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits by $90.
 
Mississippi has the lowest Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefit in the country –– just $170 per month for a family of three. The SPLC Action Fund supports this increase in TANF funding, which is badly needed for struggling families in Mississippi. 
 
The following is a statement from Brandon Jones, policy director for the SPLC Action Fund in Mississippi. 
 
“Historically, states with the highest proportion of Black residents in need of welfare have had the lowest benefits. It is not surprising that Mississippi TANF benefits have been the lowest in the country. This $90 increase gets Mississippi off the bottom and is desperately needed by struggling families throughout the state.  This increase will help Mississippians afford basic necessities like healthier meals, rent, and gas for their car. This change was long overdue and we commend the Legislature and Governor Reeves for making it happen. We also look forward to working with the Legislature and Governor Reeves to provide even greater opportunities for low income families in our communities by investing the $1.8 billion that Mississippi will receive as a result of the American Rescue Plan passed by Congress earlier this month. ”