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Commissioner urges DSS briefing after state and federal changes that could increase Medicaid and SNAP review workload
Summary
Commissioner Ronnie Smith urged the Department of Social Services to present a plan before January 1, citing federal changes that could increase review frequency and workloads for Medicaid and SNAP cases; he warned this may require additional staff and preparation at the county level.
Commissioner Ronnie Smith told the board on June 11 that recent federal actions, referred to in the meeting as HR1 and related state-level implementation, could increase the frequency and volume of benefit reviews for Medicaid and SNAP and create extra administrative burdens for county social-services offices.
Smith asked that the Martin County Department of Social Services present a plan at the board’s next regular meeting outlining how the office will handle new requirements — including more frequent renewals and reviews of immigrant and Medicaid cases — so the county can prepare staffing and processes before changes take effect. Smith said Wake County was training additional staff to manage the workload and urged Martin County to be proactive.
Why it matters: Changes in federal benefit administration that increase review frequency can cause workload spikes at county social-services offices and risk gaps in coverage if staffing and procedures are not adjusted in time. Smith asked that the DSS director or a representative provide a clear plan to the board before January 1, when some reviews were expected to begin.
Board response and follow-up: County Manager Drew Batts said county staff and state officials are still clarifying details and that the county will continue working with the state as guidance becomes available. The board asked the clerk to note Smith’s request for a DSS briefing at an upcoming meeting.
