Benefits for seniors in Missouri

Medicaid for people 65 and over

The Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division (FSD), runs MO HealthNet for people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled.

• Income: Up to 85% of the federal poverty level. For 2026 that is $1,131 a month for one person, or $1,533 for a couple.
• Spenddown: If your income is higher, you may still qualify with a spenddown. This means you pay part of your medical bills each month before MO HealthNet pays.
• Savings and other assets: No more than $6,220.50 for one person, or $12,441 for a couple.
• Decision time: You should learn whether you qualify within 45 to 90 days.

Nursing home care. MO HealthNet can help pay for a nursing home or long-term care facility. You must be 65 or older, blind, or permanently disabled, and the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) must approve your need for care. Most of your income goes to the facility, but you keep $50 a month for personal needs, plus money for health insurance premiums. If your spouse still lives at home, they can keep between $32,532 and $162,660 in assets, and may get a monthly allowance of $2,705 to $4,066.50. If your home equity is over $752,000, you may not qualify.

Estate recovery. After a member 55 or older dies, MO HealthNet may seek repayment from the estate. It does not do this if a spouse, a child under 21, or a blind or disabled child survives. It does not apply if you only had QMB or SLMB. Questions: Cost Recovery Unit, 573-751-2005.

Help paying Medicare costs

Missouri has three Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs). You must have Medicare Part A, live in Missouri, and be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen. Missouri uses the federal limits.

• QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): Pays your Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles and coinsurance. Income up to $1,350 a month for one person, or $1,824 for a couple.
• SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Pays your Part B premium. Income up to $1,616 a month for one person, or $2,184 for a couple.
• QI-1 (Qualifying Individual): Pays your Part B premium. Income up to $1,816 a month for one person, or $2,455 for a couple.

Asset test: Yes. Savings and other assets must be no more than $9,950 for one person, or $14,910 for two.

Missouri's own charts show limits about $20 lower, because the first $20 of monthly income is never counted. They are the same limits. Some income is not counted, so apply even if you are a little over.

If you get any MSP, you also get Extra Help with drug costs automatically.

Prescription drug help

The main help with drug costs is the federal Extra Help program. It lowers your Part D premium and copays. You can get it if your income is below 150% of the federal poverty level, about $23,940 a year for one person in 2026. If you have MO HealthNet or an MSP, you get it without a separate application.

Extra state payment with SSI

Missouri does not add a state payment to SSI for older adults who live in their own home. Your SSI is the federal amount, up to $994 a month for one person.

Missouri does pay Supplemental Nursing Care (SNC), run by FSD, to people who live in a residential care facility, assisted living facility or nursing home and whose income does not cover the cost. It pays up to $156 a month in a residential care facility, up to $292 a month in assisted living, and up to $390 in some nursing facilities. You also keep $50 a month for personal needs. Assets must be no more than $6,220.50 for one person. Missouri also has separate cash programs for people who are blind.

Food help

Missouri's SNAP program is also called the Food Stamp Program. FSD runs it. Benefits come on an EBT card.

• Rules for older adults: If someone in your home is 60 or older or disabled, you only need to pass the net income test (income after deductions). For one person that is $1,330 a month. You can deduct medical costs over $35 a month, and there is no cap on the housing cost deduction.
• Savings limit: $4,750 if someone in your home is over 60 or disabled. Your home, one car, life insurance and some retirement plans are not counted.
• How to apply: Apply online through formsportal.mo.gov (linked from dss.mo.gov/food-assistance), or print the application. Upload papers at mydssupload.mo.gov, mail them to Family Support Division, P.O. Box 2700, Jefferson City, MO 65102, or fax 573-526-9400.
• Interview: FSD will call you. If you miss the call, call 855-823-4908. Most people hear back within 30 days.
• Senior food boxes (CSFP): DHSS gives a monthly box of USDA foods to people 60 and over with income up to 150% of the poverty level: $23,940 a year for one person, or $32,460 for two. You do not need proof of income. Bring proof of age and Missouri address to a CSFP site. Find one on the DHSS CSFP page at health.mo.gov.
• Meals: Your Area Agency on Aging offers group and home-delivered meals. Call 1-800-235-5503.

Help staying at home

• Aged and Disabled Waiver: For people 65 and over, or 63 and 64 if disabled, who need nursing home level care. It pays for homemaker and chore help, home-delivered meals, respite for caregivers, and adult day care. DHSS approves your need for care. The income limit for home care MO HealthNet is $1,737 a month for you alone. If you are approved, you do not have to meet a spenddown.
• Structured Family Caregiving Waiver: For adults with Alzheimer's or a related condition who live with a paid family caregiver.
• PACE: For people 55 and over who need nursing home level care but can live safely at home. It covers all Medicare and MO HealthNet care through a PACE center. It is offered in parts of St. Louis City and County, all of Jackson, Greene, Christian and Webster counties, and parts of some nearby southwest Missouri counties. Ask at [email protected].
• Where to start: Call DHSS home and community services at 877-304-7939.
• Area Agencies on Aging: Missouri's 10 agencies cover every county. They offer in-home help, transportation, legal help and caregiver support. Call the Senior Resource Line at 1-800-235-5503 and enter your ZIP code.

Property tax and housing help

The Property Tax Credit (MO-PTC), also called the "circuit breaker," is run by the Missouri Department of Revenue. It gives money back for part of the rent or real estate tax you paid.

• Who qualifies (2025 tax year, filed in 2026): You were 65 or older by December 31, 2025, or 100 percent disabled. A surviving spouse 60 or older who gets survivor Social Security benefits may also qualify.
• Income limits for owners (owned and lived in the home all year): $30,000 or less if single, $34,000 or less if married filing together.
• Income limits for renters and part-year owners: $27,200 or less if single, $29,200 or less if married.
• Most you can get: $750 for renters and $1,100 for owners. The amount depends on the tax or rent you paid and your total household income, including income that is not taxed.
• Not eligible: Renters in a building that does not pay property tax.
• How to file: File Form MO-PTC online through MyTax Missouri or on paper. Email [email protected] with questions.
• Senior property tax freeze: State law lets counties freeze property tax for homeowners 62 and older who get Social Security or a public pension. Only counties that choose to adopt it offer it. Ask your county assessor or collector.

Help with energy bills

Missouri's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is run by DSS through local contracted agencies.

• Who qualifies: Household income at or below 60% of the state median income, and no more than $3,000 in bank, retirement and investment accounts. You must pay your home's energy costs. Renters can qualify.
• Energy Assistance: A one-time payment of $153 to $495 toward heating costs.
• Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP): Helps if you have a shut-off notice or are running out of fuel. Up to $800 in winter (November to May) and up to $300 in summer (June to September), as funds allow.
• Early sign-up for seniors: Households with someone elderly or disabled can apply starting October 1. Others start November 1.
• How to apply: Apply online at formsportal.mo.gov, or call 855-373-4636 to get a paper application. Return it to your local contracted agency, listed on dss.mo.gov.

Free help and counseling

• Missouri SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program): Free, unbiased one-on-one help with Medicare, run by the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance. Call 1-800-390-3330 or visit missouriship.org.
• Senior Resource Line: 1-800-235-5503 connects you to your local Area Agency on Aging.
• Department of Health and Senior Services, Senior and Disability Services: 573-526-4542.

How to apply

Check what you may qualify for