Social Services

The Division of Human Services social services specialists perform a variety of functions.  We welcome any questions or interest regarding our programs and services listed below.

• Assistance with Utility Bills
• Health Insurance
• Information and Referral
• Medication Assistance
• Pregnancy Testing
• Prenatal Case Management
• Eyeglasses Assistance
• Dental Pain Relief

When you come to our office for help, please bring an ID with your picture on it. Any form of photo ID is acceptable (drivers license, student ID, Department of Corrections, etc). To contact the Division of Human Services social services staff, please call 573.874.7356

Assistance with Utility Bills

The Division of Human Services administers two utility assistance programs for Boone County residents:

H.E.L.P. (Heat Energy and Light Program)

• provides one-time emergency assistance to low-income families with young children in the home

C.A.S.H. (Citizens Assisting Seniors and Handicapped)

• provides emergency assistance to low-income senior citizens and persons with disabilities

In order to be eligible for C.A.S.H. or H.E.L.P., recipients must:

• be a Boone County resident
• meet specific requirements of the applicable program
• meet the income guidelines as applied by the Division of Human Services
• have an emergency situation which necessitates assistance

All applicants are carefully screened and counseled by social services specialists.  Appropriate referrals are made to assist the applicant in preventing future emergencies.

For Utility Assistance please complete this form.

Donate To C.A.S.H. or H.E.L.P.

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to the H.E.L.P. Program, contact City of Columbia Utility Customer Services or Boone Electric at 573-449-4181, or complete and sign the annual donation card included in your bill.  Monthly billings will state your year-to-date contributions for tax records.  100% of contributions go directly to utility bill payments for persons in need.  No administrative costs are paid from your gift.

Health Insurance/Coverage

Social services specialists are available to help you access public health insurance programs such as Medicaid, MC+, and Medicare.

• MC+ for Kids gives Missouri's working parents an opportunity to provide health insurance for their children at no-cost or low-cost. Let us help you obtain this great benefit for you and your kids! Certain qualifications apply. For further information, please visit the State MC+ for Kids site or call us at 573-874-7356 for assistance.
• The state has expanded it's Uninsured Women's Health Services Program. Visit the state's website, view our flier or call us at 573-874-7356 for assistance.

Information and Referral

Social services staff provide information and referral for a wide range of health and human services. Please call or visit if you are in need of any information.

We also publish a comprehensive guide to health and human services in Boone County:

• Columbia/Boone County Resource and Referral Guide

Medication Assistance

Maternal/Child Health and Well-Being Services

Our services staff offer a variety of services to help with pregnancy and the first few years of children's lives. The following is a brief summary of the services we offer. Please contact us if you are pregnant and need help.

Temporary Medicaid & Medicaid for Pregnant Women

Temporary Medicaid and Medicaid for Pregnant Women are publicly funded health insurance programs for pregnant women.

• Temporary ("Temp") Medicaid is designed to provide coverage until a woman is approved for Medicaid for Pregnant Women (MPW).
• Medicaid for Pregnant Women is a free, state-funded insurance program for pregnant women which covers prenatal and delivery services.

Applications for both programs may be made at the Division of Human Services by appointment.

Prenatal Case Management

If you would like help making prenatal care arrangements, and/or need other assistance during pregnancy, a social services specialist can assist.  Please call for an appointment.

Healthy Babies Program

The Healthy Babies Home Visiting Program provides support for pregnancy using the “Partners for a Healthy Baby” curriculum. The program is free, voluntary and offers a monthly visit from our social services specialist. The program can help with: car seats, cribs, clothing, diapers, WIC, food stamps, Medicaid and breastfeeding. Missouri's Children's Trust Fund contributes a portion of funds for this program.

• Recipients must be screened for eligibility by a social services specialist.
• If found to be eligible, an appointment will then be scheduled with a participating optician. 
• A $10 co-payment is required to schedule an exam with an optician.

Dental Pain Relief

The Division of Human Services provides dental pain relief services for permanent Boone County residents who meet the financial eligibility criteria for the program. 

• Assistance is limited to uninsured, permanent Boone County residents.
• Financial eligibility guidelines apply. 
• Services are for pain relief only.
• Services covered include x-rays, non-surgical extractions, and simple restorations. 
• Recipients must be screened for eligibility by a social services specialist.
• If found to be eligible, patients must schedule an appointment to be assessed by a Health and Human Services Department clinician. 
• A sliding fee applies to this appointment.
• If the patient is determined to be in need of pain relief they will be entered in a monthly lottery for referrals to a participating dentist.
• If selected, patients are contacted by a social services specialist in order to schedule an appointment with a participating dentist.
• A $10 co-payment to schedule an appointment with a dentist.

Other Dental Resources

• Family Dental Center
  • 573-777-8997
  • Medicaid, MC+, Medicare, and uninsured
• Kings Daughters’ Dental Aide Program
  • Referrals are made through the Columbia Public Schools nurses
• University of Missouri-Kansas City Dental School
  • 816-235-2111
  • Fees are usually 1/2 to 1/3 of cost of a private provider