. Introduction 1.1 Purpose The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) offers services and support to Mississippians to help them achieve self-sufficiency. Families who lack reliable transportation often struggle to gain or maintain employment. In fact, according to Census data, 62% of all carless households in Mississippi have no one in the workforce. MDHS also recognizes the value of empowering families to contribute to their own success, including supporting them in saving toward longer-term goals and major purchases. In light of these needs and considerations, MDHS is exploring the possibility of establishing a matched savings program to help qualifying low-income parents gain and maintain access to reliable transportation to support their employment. As envisioned, the matched savings program will allow a qualifying participant to contribute funds to a savings account up to a pre-set limit. Funds in this account can only be used to purchase a vehicle or make a vehicle repair. When the participant is ready to make an approved purchase, the individual’s savings will be matched with program funds at a pre-established match rate. This may be a dollar-for-dollar match rate or a higher match rate. The program administrator will provide the funds (savings plus matching dollars) directly to the vendor selling the vehicle or making the vehicle repair.
