After a surge in calls for assistance, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services is seeking to remind residents of options available to apply for public assistance.
To apply for, renew, report changes and check benefits online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the Department of Public Health and Human Services advises Montanans to visit www.apply.mt.gov.
DPHHS staff also serve clients through the Public Assistance Helpline at 1-888-706-1535. The agency recently extended helpline phone hours to the public from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Typically, the helpline handles about 1,000 calls a day; however, during the month of April the hotline averaged over 1,750 calls daily, according to a news release.
“Staff who normally provide in-person assistance are now serving clients through the Helpline,” DPHHS Director Sheila Hogan said in an email. “We continue to work with our clients utilizing all the technology tools we have at our disposal.”
Hogan urges people to use call scheduling, which allows clients to make an appointment for a call back if they are placed on hold. The helpline wait time is currently about 10 minutes, but that could change, given the increase in unemployment numbers. However, given the increase in unemployment numbers and the increase in the number of applications for public assistance programs in recent weeks that could change.
Hogan said that nearly 5,300 Montanans opened an online account in the last 30 days to access public assistance programs the agency provides, such as SNAP food assistance, TANF cash assistance or health coverage as a result of the COVID-19 emergency.
The application numbers for SNAP in the first half of April increased by 70% when compared to March numbers, according to a news release. There are currently over 107,000 individuals receiving SNAP benefits in Montana.
Now, more than 25,000 Montanans have an online account at apply.mt.gov.
“While we aren’t able to provide in-person assistance in our Offices of Public Assistance at this time while we work to limit the spread of COVID-19, we are pleased that thousands more clients are able to access their benefits remotely,” Hogan said. “This is very important because we want to make sure that Montanans have access to the safety net programs our agency provides.”
Clients can also submit applications via the OPA fax number at 1-877-418-4533 or by mail at Field Offices of Public Assistance, PO Box 202925, Helena MT 59620.
SNAP benefits can be checked at 1-866-850-1556.
Montanans are also encouraged to reach out to OPA office staff through email. A list of OPA office email contact information can be found here: https://ift.tt/2VLo39Y
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Here's how to apply for public assistance with DPHHS in Montana amid COVID-19 - Great Falls Tribune
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