JEFFERSON CITY (AP) – Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has reversed plans to cut the amount of money paid by the state to blind residents.

Nixon said he ordered the Department of Social Services on Monday to drop plans to reduce the benefits paid under the blind pension program.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported earlier Monday that the department had told all 3,847 people receiving checks through the program to expect a $33-a-month reduction beginning in January.

The department had said the cuts were necessary because payments were exceeding the property tax revenues collected by the fund.

Nixon said he would instead ask the Legislature to approve a supplemental budget appropriation for the program when it convenes in January.