JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – A Mississippi commissioner introduced a plan that would let families use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Electronic Benefits Transfer to pay their water bill.

Commissioner De’Keither A. Stamps introduced the proposal, called SNAP H2O. If approved, it would allow eligible residents to use a portion of their SNAP or Electronic Benefits Transfer funds to help pay their water bill.

Closing a gap in benefit use

Stamps said SNAP benefits can currently buy bottled water at the grocery store but cannot pay the bill that brings water into a home.

Stamps said his proposal to Mississippi leaders is meant to close that gap without creating any new government spending.

Stamps then said the initiative will remove fears residents may have about their water investments.

“The lack of availability of water has caused people to have water trauma because lack of quality of water and by doing this, we’ll be able to track the contributions and reinvestments in water systems in neighborhoods,” Stamps said.

Federal pushback expected

Stamps said Mississippi cannot make the change alone because SNAP is a federal program. He said he expects pushback from Washington, D.C. but is ready for it.

“If we give Washington, D.C. the options of suing Mississippi or changing the program, I believe Washington, D.C. will change their program before they come after Mississippi for giving people more options to pay for water,” Stamps said.

Stamps stressed SNAP H20 would not add new SNAP dollars. It would give eligible families another way to use benefits they already receive.

Support from state lawmakers

Stamps said he got support from a state representative and senator who say the plan will revolutionize Mississippi.

Stamps tells us he expects other states in the South to follow Mississippi’s lead.

The proposal heads to the Mississippi Public Service Commission’s Docket Meeting on Sept. 1 at 10 a.m.

Stamps said he expects the proposal also to lower water bills for families and provide more clean and safe water.

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