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People enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Alabama can expect partial benefits likely by the end of the week, according to a recent notice from the state.
The Alabama Department of Human Resources said in a press release on Monday that the federal government notified them over the weekend that there would be a 35% reduction in benefits this month.
“At this time, DHR is working to update the SNAP system with the change in the Thrifty Food Plan to determine each household’s benefit amount at the reduced rate,” the state agency said in the release.
More than 750,000 people in Alabama are enrolled in SNAP – that’s about 14.5% of the state’s population. In October, the federal Department of Agriculture announced food stamps would be suspended due to the ongoing government shutdown.
The notice from DHR comes after a legal battle between the Trump administration and cities and nonprofits across the country.
Last week, the administration was ordered by a federal judge to fully fund the program for November, which costs about $8 billion a month.
The administration then requested a stay on that order, with the USDA sending a memo to states Saturday saying they must “immediately undo” any action to provide full benefits or face financial penalties.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit denied the Trump administration’s request to put a hold on the benefits on Monday. The administration, however, said it intends to file a brief with the Supreme Court on the matter this afternoon.
The shutdown could be coming to an end as Senate Democrats just voted on a resolution to reopen the government, which would allow SNAP benefits to resume as normal.
As that vote now moves to the House, Alabama will begin processing partial payments for now.
“It is important to understand that the Thrifty Food Plan was changed; and as a result, a straight 35 percent reduction from a recipients’ normal monthly benefit may not be the amount received,” DHR said in the notice.