Full November SNAP Benefits Now Being Released in Alabama
Recipients whose regular issuance date falls on Nov. 14 or later will receive their full allotment on their usual schedule
The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) announced Thursday afternoon that full benefits for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for November are being issued to recipients in Alabama.
The move comes after a memo from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) directed States to act immediately to restore full allotments after the federal government reopened.
“Our State government in Alabama, as well as our local governments, do not operate in such a reckless way, and I hope Congress has learned from their failure to meet their responsibility to the people across the country,” said Governor Kay Ivey.
According to DHR, files necessary to load benefits onto EBT cards were transmitted to the vendor shortly after the FNS notification. “Benefits should be available today after processing of the files is completed, provided there are no unforeseen problems,” the Department said. Recipients whose regular issuance date falls on Nov. 14 or later will receive their full allotment on their usual schedule.
DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner said the agency is “thrilled to be able to provide full benefits to SNAP recipients and help get food on the table for these Alabama families, especially in time to prepare for the upcoming holidays.” She also offered thanks to food-banks and other organizations that stepped up during the disruption.
Earlier this month, Alabama officials had warned of a potential disruption when the FNS suspended SNAP benefit allotments effective Nov. 1 amid the federal funding lapse. At that time, DHR noted the program is 100% federally funded and that the State lacked authority to issue benefits without the federal allocation.
More than 750,000 Alabamians rely on SNAP on a monthly basis. The restoration of full benefits comes just ahead of the holiday season—a time when many families face tighter budgets and higher food costs. The prompt action by Alabama’s DHR may help ease that pressure.
