GALLERY – Mississippi Public Service Commissioner De’Keither A. Stamps introduced SNAP H2O, a proposal that would allow eligible SNAP recipients to use a portion of their existing SNAP/EBT benefits toward qualifying residential water and wastewater bills

On Aug. 30th, Mississippi Public Service Commissioner De’Keither A. Stamps introduced SNAP H2O, a proposal that would allow eligible SNAP recipients to use a portion of their existing SNAP/EBT benefits toward qualifying residential water and wastewater bills. Stamps said the initiative is intended to provide households with greater flexibility in paying water bills and potentially reduce shutoffs, late fees, arrearages and reconnection costs. Under current federal SNAP rules, benefits can be used to purchase bottled drinking water from authorized retailers but generally cannot be used to pay residential water bills. Because SNAP is federally governed, implementing SNAP H2O would require federal authorization. Stamps is seeking support from state leaders, utilities, community organizations and residents while encouraging Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish a pathway for states to pilot or implement the concept. The proposal is scheduled to be discussed during the Mississippi Public Service Commission’s monthly Docket Meeting Tuesday, Sept. 1st, at 10 a.m. at the Woolfolk State Office Building in Jackson. (Advocate Photos: Joshua Martin)