‘OH SNAP!’ proposal would let families use benefits toward water bills
By Tiara Leflore
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JACKSON, Mississippi (WAPT) — A Mississippi Public Service Commissioner is proposing a new way for eligible families to use their existing SNAP benefits to help pay residential water bills.
Commissioner De’Keither A. Stamps, Central District, introduced SNAP H₂O Sunday during a press conference at the Woolfolk State Office Building in Jackson.
The initiative would seek federal authorization to allow eligible households to voluntarily direct a portion of their SNAP/EBT benefits toward qualifying residential water and wastewater expenses.
“Water is essential. Access should be too,” Stamps said.
Under current SNAP rules, recipients can use SNAP/EBT benefits to purchase bottled drinking water from authorized retailers. However, those benefits generally cannot be used to pay the residential water bill for water delivered directly to a home.
Stamps says SNAP H₂O is intended to change that.
The proposal would not create a new entitlement or provide additional SNAP funding. Instead, it would give eligible families another option for using benefits they already receive.
Supporters say the proposal could help reduce water shutoffs, late fees, unpaid balances and reconnection costs. It could also provide participating water systems with a more consistent way to receive payments.
“No new dollars. Just common sense,” Stamps said.
The proposal would still require federal authorization before SNAP benefits could be used toward qualifying residential water and wastewater bills.
Stamps says the goal is to give families more flexibility while addressing water affordability.
And his message for the initiative is summed up in a simple phrase:
“OH SNAP! H₂O.”
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