By Rupert Howell
Panola County may soon have an agreement with the Department of Human Services that will allow a few of the 500 local SNAP beneficiaries to continue to receive benefits by picking up trash along Panola roadsides.
Supervisor board president Cole Flint said Wednesday an agreement may be spelled out during a recess meeting scheduled for Monday, February 22 at the Batesville Courthouse. Flint said Wednesday county officials were working out insurance coverage details.
He explained the county was offering the opportunity so that at least some of the recipients willing to work could continue to keep their benefits stating, “It helps both sides.”
The federal policy change affects Able-bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD), ages 18-49, according to information provided to local recipients. Households who are receiving benefits with a listed ABAWD will also see a decrease in benefits.
One of those agencies on hand during last Monday’s round table discussion about littering was the Department of Human Services represented by Field Operations Supervisor Patsy Kilpatrick. She explained an agreement was needed between the two entities (DHS and Panola County) to allow recipients to work a certain number of hours in order to continue with their benefits.
No other entities are currently thought to be seeking agreements.
The standard monthly benefit for one person with no income is $196. Multiplied by the estimated number of recipients that figure reaches approximately $1.2 million yearly in benefits.
A provision in the 1996 Welfare Law limits ABAWD individuals to three months of SNAP benefits in any 36-month period when they aren’t employed or in a work or training program for at least 20 hours a week.
That requirement was lifted in 2008 during the Great Recession, but was reimplemented January 1, 2016.
 SNAP recipients whose state operates few or no employment programs and fails to offer them a spot in a work or training program — which is the case in most states — have their benefits cut off after three months irrespective of whether they are searching diligently for a job according to a report from The Center of Budget and Policy Priorities.
Panola County Road Manager Lygunnah Bean told supervisors he could employ a part-time worker to manage a crew of recipients to pick up roadside litter and promised supervisors and others attending the round table meeting Monday, “They will be treated with respect.
“We don’t allow cursing,” Bean said.
Although details are still being worked out by Bean and others connected with the county, he said Thursday that two crews of five workers each may alternate to meet the minimum 20-hour requirement.
Local businessman Ricky Swindle who operates Batesville a tire and muffler business with his brother said Wednesday that he attributes a recent uptick in people looking for part-time employment to the recent regulation change.