Lawrence County JFS warns residents about SNAP eligibility changes, outlines outreach and events

Missy Evans, with the Lawrence County Department of Job and Family Services, briefed the Board of Commissioners on recent changes to SNAP eligibility and other county social-service outreach at the March 24 meeting.

Evans said new SNAP eligibility requirements and disqualifiers have been instituted and urged residents who receive or may be eligible for benefits to contact JFS so that benefits are not interrupted. She provided the agency’s office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and encouraged clients to check with their managed-care plans about transportation assistance, wellness incentives, pregnancy and parenting supports, and care coordination.

Evans also noted April is Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month and invited commissioners to the fourth annual county event on April 7 during a commissioners’ meeting where awards for participants in an art and writing contest will be presented. She said the Ironton High School Key Club will help place blue pinwheels; the event is part of the county’s Whole Child Initiative, which is seeking greater collaboration with faith-based organizations and substance-use treatment providers.

Commissioners and staff publicly praised the JFS team’s work on SNAP error rates and promoted an upcoming free township and village zoning workshop for trustees scheduled for the next Monday evening. Evans’s presentation was largely informational; she asked residents to contact JFS with questions and to take advantage of supports through managed-care plans.