CSBG (Community Services Block Grant)

CSBG (Community Services Block Grant) is a grant from the Mississippi Department of Human Services, funded by federal HHS, that funds local Community Action Agencies and partner organizations working to address the underlying conditions of poverty in Mississippi communities. The program supports a range of services aimed at reducing poverty, including emergency assistance, job training, housing support, and community development.

Eligible recipients are Community Action Agencies and designated eligible entities within Mississippi. Funding is distributed from the federal appropriation to the state and then to local organizations through an established formula process.

Community Service Block Grant - Mississippi Department of Human Services SNAP & TANF Document Upload Child Support Document Upload Economic Assistance Eligibility SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Access Program TANF – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Help Living in the Community for Older Adults Finding Services for Older Adults Adult Protective Services Early Childhood Care & Development Mississippi Child Care Transformation Project Child Abuse Prevention & Protection Child Care Reports & Archives Service Requests & Complaints Mississippi Access & Visitation Program Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Weatherization Assistance Program Community Service Block Grant Workforce Development & Partnership Management Workforce Training & Education Programs Afterschool and Parenthood Initiatives Community Services & Programs Probation & After Care Services Oakley Youth Development Center Sexual Risk Avoidance Education Program Office of Inspector General Administrative Hearings Division Caring for an Older Adult Division of Community Services Community Service Block Grant Help solve the underlying conditions of poverty within communities.

Partnering with local organizations to lessen poverty in communities. The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is funded through the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services. Funds are provided to local Community Action Agencies through the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

Local partners provide services and activities addressing employment, education, income and asset building services, housing, nutrition, emergency services, and/or healthcare based on community needs assessments. Who Qualifies for CBSG Assistance? Someone who typically qualifies for CSBG assistance is within 125 percent of the current Federal Poverty Guidelines.

CSBG funding may be available to help if you need: Assistance obtaining a job Assistance obtaining education CSBG funding supports projects that: Lessen poverty in communities. Address the needs of low-income individuals including the homeless and elderly. Provide services and activities addressing employment, education, housing, nutrition, and health services.

Eligibility for CSBG Assistance Assistance through CSBG is available to individuals who are within 125 percent of the current Federal Poverty Guidelines. Use the table below to find the program income limit for different household sizes.

Household Size Poverty Guideline 125% of Poverty Guideline 1 $15,650 $19,563 2 $21,150 $26,438 3 $26,650 $33,313 4 $32,150 $40,188 5 $37,650 $47,063 Apply for CSBG Assistance To apply for CSBG assistance, you will need to submit a pre-application through the Common Web Portal on Access MS . This information will be provided to the Community Action Agency (CAA) in your area.

CAA staff will contact you to schedule an appointment, and you’ll complete your full application in person. Submit your application for CSBG Assistance Online To apply for assistance through CSBG, mark “ Community Services ” on the list of programs for which you’re applying.

Receive a Notice (Letter) with an Appointment Date & Time After you submit your application, you should receive a notice (letter) in the mail or by email with an appointment date and time at your local Community Action Agency (CAA). If you need to reschedule the appointment, call your CAA to request another appointment.

You should expect your appointment date to be within 30 business days of the day you submitted your application if you are elderly, disabled, or part of a family with a child age five (5) or under. All other clients should expect their appointment date to be within 45 days. Your appointment notice will also provide you with details about the information that you need to bring with you to your appointment.

Documents will be required to verify your residence, income, and the members of your household. Your appointment notice will provide you with instructions about what is needed.

Proof of identity is needed for everyone over 18 Photo driver’s license, Passport School, college or university ID Alien registration/permanent residence card, temporary residence card Social security number for all household members, regardless of age Award letters; (i.e., Social Security, SSI, disability) W2 form, paycheck stubs within a 30-day period, 1099, IRS Tax Forms with appropriate schedules Unemployment determination letter Other documents deemed eligible to verify income Mortgage documents (i.e., deed) Other documents may be required based on the type of assistance requested.

For example, if you are requesting assistance purchasing tools for a welding apprenticeship program, you may be required to verify that you are enrolled in the program and provide documentation of the costs of the tools. Complete an Appointment with your Local CAA During your appointment, a local staff member will help you complete the full CSBG application and let you know if any additional information is needed for your case.

You should bring as many required documents as possible to your appointment, but don’t miss your appointment if you don’t have all of your documents. You’ll have time to submit more information after your appointment. Remember to submit any additional requested information as soon as possible.

Community Action Agencies Start typing your county name: Receive a notice (letter) letting you know if your application was approved or denied. You’ll receive a notice (letter) letting you know if you are approved to receive assistance through CSBG. If you are approved, the CAA will pay the bill or the cost of the item on your behalf.

For example, if you requested rental assistance, the CAA will pay your landlord directly.

Community Action Agencies Start typing your county name: Division of Community Services Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Community Service Block Grant Caring for an Older Adult SHIP Provides Free and Unbiased Medicare Guidance October 16, 2025 MDHS Unveils New Website January 12, 2024 LIHEAP works with Entergy November 7, 2023 Energy Assistance Programs Benefit Mississippi Families December 8, 2021 All’s well that ends with a well—Officials return to Schlater one-year after building well August 27, 2021 Community Services Division You can contact the Community Services division by calling 1-800-421-0762.

Help today. Hope tomorrow. Mississippi Department of Human Services