Mississippi’s welfare and child protection agencies could have to begin furloughing workers without pay because federal welfare money has been interrupted by the federal government shutdown.
Mississippi’s welfare and child protection agencies could have to begin furloughing state employees without pay because federal welfare money has been interrupted by the federal government shutdown.
Department of Human Services Executive Director John Davis told the state House Appropriations Committee on Thursday that he needs to know by Feb. 15 if federal money will resume. If not, according to lawmakers who heard Davis and a spokesman for Gov. Phil Bryant, Davis will plan for furloughs at the agency beginning in March.
Davis told lawmakers that his agency gets $30 million or more each month in federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families money to pay employees. Rep. David Baria, a Bay St. Louis Democrat, said Davis told lawmakers that he would have to lay off a substantial portion of the agency’s more than 2,000 employees.
Child Protection Services Executive Director Jess Dickinson said his agency, which also spends money from Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, could also have to send workers home without pay at some point.
