Mississippi Code
Article 11 - Benefits
§ 71-5-501. Payment

Wages earned for services defined in Section 71-5-11(I)(15)(g), irrespective of when performed, shall not be included for purposes of determining eligibility under Section 71-5-511(e) or weekly benefit amount under Section 71-5-503 nor shall any benefits with respect to unemployment be payable under Section 71-5-505 on the basis of such wages. All benefits shall be paid through employment offices or such other agency or agencies as the department may, by regulation, designate, in accordance with such regulations as the department may prescribe. The department may, by regulation, prescribe that benefits due and payable to claimants who die prior to the receipt or cashing of benefits checks may be paid to the legal representative, dependents, or next of kin, of the deceased as may be found by it to be equitably entitled thereto, and every such payment shall be deemed a valid payment to the same extent as if made to the legal representative of the decedent.