The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) received guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Friday on the suspension of SNAP benefits for the month of November due to the federal government shutdown.
Recipients will be able to use benefits issued to their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card before November 1 at any SNAP authorized retailer.
The guidance states that effective November 1, “FNS is suspending all November 2025 benefit allotments until…federal funding is provided, or until FNS directs State agencies otherwise.” No new benefits will be issued during the suspension; however, there are no other changes to the program or client requirements.
“SNAP benefits are 100% federally funded; therefore USDA (FNS) controls the issuance of these benefits on EBT cards. I was pleased to learn that FNS plans to reimburse November administrative costs which will help states financially,” said Alabama DHR commissioner Nancy Buckner. “We know SNAP benefits are vitally important to the more than 750,000 Alabamians who depend on the more than $140 million in support each month. Alabama DHR, along with many others, hopes Congress will come to a quick resolution on the federal government shutdown.”
The Alabama Grocers Association called on Alabama’s congressional delegation to take “immediate, bipartisan action to end the ongoing government shutdown and ensure the continuation of critical nutrition assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.”
“The government shutdown threatens food security for hundreds of thousands of Alabamians,” said Ellie Taylor, president and CEO of the Alabama Grocers Association. “Programs like SNAP and WIC are lifelines for working families, seniors, children, and people with disabilities. They not only prevent hunger but also sustain jobs and economic activity throughout our state.”
She continued, “Our grocery retailers are the backbone of communities across Alabama, ensuring families have access to nutritious food.”
“Ending the shutdown and fully funding SNAP and WIC isn’t just a moral responsibility—it’s an economic necessity. We urge lawmakers to act swiftly and in unity to protect Alabama families, workers, and businesses,” Taylor added.
A warning on the USDA’s website posted over the weekend stated, “Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).”
“Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats,” the USDA said. “They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.”
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