Benefit programs in Mississippi (2026)
For families in Mississippi we check every federal program below, then map your state's own programs and point you to the office that runs each one.
We don't put a dollar figure on most of Mississippi's own programs yet. Those amounts depend on rules we haven't finished checking against official sources. What you get instead is the program, its official source, and who to call. Federal amounts are computed for every state, including yours.
Mississippi families can get Medicaid help with care at home through 5 Medicaid home and community-based services waivers that pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. We have not yet confirmed a dollar figure for a property-tax relief program in Mississippi, so none is quoted here. Mississippi also runs a LIHEAP energy-assistance program that covers heating and cooling costs together. Figures checked against official sources, last on 2026-08-05.
Does Mississippi Medicaid pay for care at home?
Yes. Mississippi runs 5 Medicaid home & community-based services waivers, including "MS Assisted Living Waiver (0355.R05.00)" and "MS Elderly and Disabled (E&D) Waiver (0272.R07.00)". These pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. We have no confirmed dollar figure for what they pay. Amounts depend on an assessment, and most waivers have waiting lists. Ask Mississippi Medicaid, or call 1-844-822-4622.
- MS Assisted Living Waiver (0355.R05.00)
- MS Elderly and Disabled (E&D) Waiver (0272.R07.00)
- MS Independent Living Waiver (0255.R07.00)
- MS Intellectual Disabilities and Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) Waiver (0282.R06.00)
- MS Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury Waiver (0366.R05.00)
See how Mississippi's Medicaid rules compare with other states
What property tax relief is available to seniors in Mississippi?
Mississippi has 2 property-tax relief programs that seniors may qualify for: Additional Homestead Exemption for Persons Age 65 or Older or Totally Disabled (Tier 2). We have not confirmed their dollar amounts against the official state pages (last checked 2026-08-05), so we do not state amounts here. The official links below carry the current figures. Call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-844-822-4622 and ask which you qualify for. They will also tell you the filing deadline, which is usually earlier than people expect.
3 programs in Mississippi. Each description below is drawn from its linked source and shown in full: the tag next to each name marks its source tier (GOV/GOV PDF: the program's own official page, ANALYSIS/IND: a secondary source).
Property-tax figures last checked against official sources on 2026-08-05. See how we verify figures.
| Program | Benefit | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Homestead Exemption (Tier 1) GOV | Tax credit of up to $300 against ad valorem taxes due on the owner-occupied primary residence (actual credit scales with property value). Miss. Code Ann. Sec. 27-33-1 et seq. | Official source → |
| Additional Homestead Exemption for Persons Age 65 or Older or Totally Disabled (Tier 2) GOV | Exempt from ALL ad valorem property taxes on the first $7,500 of assessed value of the homestead, which equals up to $75,000 of true (market) value because owner-occupied residential (Class I) is assessed at 10% of true value. After the first year the exemption can grow to include most future increases in value. NOTE: proposed 2025 increases (SB2992 to $20,000; HB1255 for 65+) both DIED in committee 02/26/2025; the current statutory figure remains $7,500 per the DOR. The '$12,500 effective Jan 1, 2026' figure circulating on non-official blogs is unsupported/fabricated. | Official source → |
| Total Homestead Exemption for Service-Connected Disabled Veterans, Veterans Age 90+, and Unremarried Surviving Spouses (Tier 3) GOV | 100% exemption from ALL ad valorem property taxes on the qualifying homestead (no dollar cap). Qualifiers: (a) honorably discharged American veterans with a service-connected TOTAL (100%) disability, and their unremarried surviving spouses; (b) honorably discharged American veterans at least 90 years old by January 1, and their unremarried surviving spouses; (c) unremarried surviving spouse of a U.S. Armed Forces member killed or died on active duty; (d) unremarried surviving spouse of a reserve-component or National Guard member killed or died on active duty for training. Miss. Code Ann. Sec. 27-33-67. | Official source → |
Regular Homestead Exemption (Tier 1) GOV
- Benefit
Tax credit of up to $300 against ad valorem taxes due on the owner-occupied primary residence (actual credit scales with property value). Miss. Code Ann. Sec. 27-33-1 et seq.
- Official source
- Official source →
Additional Homestead Exemption for Persons Age 65 or Older or Totally Disabled (Tier 2) GOV
- Benefit
Exempt from ALL ad valorem property taxes on the first $7,500 of assessed value of the homestead, which equals up to $75,000 of true (market) value because owner-occupied residential (Class I) is assessed at 10% of true value. After the first year the exemption can grow to include most future increases in value. NOTE: proposed 2025 increases (SB2992 to $20,000; HB1255 for 65+) both DIED in committee 02/26/2025; the current statutory figure remains $7,500 per the DOR. The '$12,500 effective Jan 1, 2026' figure circulating on non-official blogs is unsupported/fabricated.
- Official source
- Official source →
Total Homestead Exemption for Service-Connected Disabled Veterans, Veterans Age 90+, and Unremarried Surviving Spouses (Tier 3) GOV
- Benefit
100% exemption from ALL ad valorem property taxes on the qualifying homestead (no dollar cap). Qualifiers: (a) honorably discharged American veterans with a service-connected TOTAL (100%) disability, and their unremarried surviving spouses; (b) honorably discharged American veterans at least 90 years old by January 1, and their unremarried surviving spouses; (c) unremarried surviving spouse of a U.S. Armed Forces member killed or died on active duty; (d) unremarried surviving spouse of a reserve-component or National Guard member killed or died on active duty for training. Miss. Code Ann. Sec. 27-33-67.
- Official source
- Official source →
How much heating bill help can I get in Mississippi?
Up to $1,500 toward heating and cooling bills combined. That is the FY 2026 maximum Mississippi's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) publishes for heating and cooling combined. Most households get less. This is the ceiling, not a typical amount. A separate crisis benefit of up to $1,500 is available if your service is about to be shut off. Source: https://liheapch.acf.gov/profiles/Miss.htm
| Program | Benefit | Published maximum | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | Help with heating bills, plus emergency help if service is at risk. Covers heating and cooling combined. Emergency crisis help is available. | In Mississippi the published maximum for heating and cooling combined is $1,500. Crisis maximum: $1,500. | Official source → |
Retirement income tax
Social Security in Mississippi: Mississippi does NOT tax U.S. Social Security benefits at all. Also fully exempt from MS income tax: Railroad Retirement benefits, Veterans' Administration (VA) payments, public welfare assistance, and workers' compensation. Any portion of such income that is taxable under federal law is not subject to Mississippi income tax. (Related deductions, e.g., Medicare tax withheld, are correspondingly not allowed since the income is untaxed.) Source: Mississippi Dept. of Revenue Individual Income Tax FAQ.
Pensions, IRAs, and 401(k)s: Qualified retirement income is FULLY EXEMPT from Mississippi income tax with NO dollar cap and NO age threshold. Retirement income, pensions and annuities are not subject to MS income tax provided the recipient has met the retirement plan's requirements; this covers qualified distributions from pensions, IRAs, 401(k), 403(b), 457, SEP and similar plans. IMPORTANT CAVEAT: early (non-qualified) distributions are NOT considered retirement income and may be taxable. For non-retirement (earned/other) income, Mississippi exempts the first $10,000 of taxable income and applies a flat 4.4% rate (2025 tax year), so retirees with only Social Security plus qualified retirement income typically owe no Mississippi income tax.
Official source →Federal programs: checked in Mississippi too
These are computed for every family, wherever they live.
VA Aid & Attendance
An extra monthly VA payment for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need daily help.
Medicare Savings Programs
State help that pays your Medicare premiums, and sometimes deductibles and copays.
Medicare Extra Help
Lowers what you pay for prescription drugs under Medicare Part D.
SNAP (food support)
Monthly money for groceries. Older adults often qualify for more than they expect.
Social Security & SSI
Checks whether the person may be missing Social Security or Supplemental Security Income.
Federal tax credits
Credits and deductions families miss, including medical expenses and the credit for the elderly or disabled.
Medicare before 65
Medicare eligibility for people under 65 through a disability.
Who do I call in Mississippi for help with elder care?
Call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 1-844-822-4622. They're the free, no-wrong-door starting point for home care, respite and other long-term-care options in Mississippi. If someone is unsafe, neglected or being exploited, Adult Protective Services can help at 844-437-6282.
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) / No Wrong Door
Free help understanding your options.
1-844-822-4622Which of these fits your family?
Being on this list doesn't mean your family qualifies. That depends on income, savings, care needs and service history. The free check works out which ones are worth your time, in about four minutes.
Not legal or medical advice. Benefits vary. Figures are estimates.