How To Apply For Alabama Food Stamps
View the information below if you are interested in applying for food stamps in Alabama. It is important that you have all the documentation and information needed so the application process is not delayed. If you still have questions or issues about applying for food stamps, known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), then you can call the Alabama SNAP hotline at 334-242-1700. The department that handles this program is called the Alabama Department of Human Resources.
Households applying for or receiving SNAP benefits must meet all eligibility requirements set by the Alabama food assistance program. You may still qualify for these benefits even if eligibility ends with another program. Failure to meet these Alabama food stamp requirements can result in a denial or termination of food assistance.
Apply for food stamps in person
Alabama food stamp applicants can file in the county where they live. They cannot receive food assistance in more than one county or state in a month. To download the SNAP application, English version | Spanish version. You can fax, mail or bring in a signed application to your local County DHR office to process your request. To find a local Food Assistance office near you, click here.
Apply for Alabama food stamps online
To apply for SNAP benefits online go to the MyDHR website. Prior to filling out an online application, you first must register a new account. Once you have finished applying online, the information will be sent to your local DHR office in the county where you live.
Food assistance program requirements
The food assistance household is composed of individuals who live together and purchase and prepare their meals together for home consumption. Certain individuals, such as spouses and children under age 22, must be included in one food assistance household regardless of their method of buying food and preparing meals. If the household has a member who is a striker, then they will be considered ineligible to participate in the Alabama food assistance program.
Only U.S. citizens and eligible aliens may participate in the Food Assistance Program. Any household member who is not a citizen or permanent resident alien may be left out of your food assistance household. Providing citizenship/immigration information is voluntary. They will not check on the non-citizens you do not include in your food assistance household but their income may count in determining the eligibility and food assistance allotment for the other people included in the food assistance household. Failure to provide this information will result in ineligibility for these members.
A Social Security Number will be used to check the identity of household members to prevent duplicate participation and to facilitate making changes. Providing a SSN for each household member is voluntary. However, failure to provide a SSN for each household member will result in disqualification of that member. You will still have to give information such as income for this member. The household must furnish a Social Security Number for each household member that you are asking for food assistance benefits. If a household member does not have a number, they must apply for one.
Unless otherwise exempt, each household member must be registered for work. Failure to cooperate with the work requirements may result in an individual being disqualified from participation in the Alabama SNAP Program. An individual may be disqualified from participation in the program if they voluntarily quits a job or reduces the number of hours they work without good cause.
Alabama food stamps financial requirements
Income limits vary according to the household size. Households that contain no elderly or disabled individuals must meet both the gross and the net income limits. Households that contain an elderly (age 60 or over) individual or a disabled individual must meet only the net income limits. Income can include wages, social security benefits, salaries, unemployment compensation, commissions, SSI, veteran’s benefits, child support, contributions, etc.
| Household Size | Gross Income Limits | Net Income Limits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,307 | $1,005 |
| 2 | $1,760 | $1,354 |
| 3 | $2,213 | $1,702 |
| 4 | $2,665 | $2,050 |
| 5 | $3,118 | $2,399 |
| 6 | $3,571 | $2,747 |
| 7 | $4,024 | $3,095 |
| 8 | $4,477 | $3,444 |
| Each Additional Member | $453 | $349 |
Processing Your Food Stamp Application
The application process includes completing an application, filing the form in the county in which the household lives, being interviewed, and having certain information verified. Households that meet the following criteria will have their application acted on within 7 calendar days:
- Households with less than $150 in monthly gross income and their liquid resources, such as cash or checking/savings accounts are less than $100
- The household’s monthly rent/mortgage and utilities are more than the household's gross monthly income and liquid resources
- The household is a destitute migrant or seasonal farmworker with less than $100 in liquid resources
- All other households will have their application acted upon within 30 days from the date they apply
The amount of food assistance a household receives depends on the number of people in the food assistance household and the amount of their net income. Below shows the maximum food assistance allotments based on the size of the household.
| Household Size | Size Maximum Food Assistance Allotment |
|---|---|
| 1 | $192 |
| 2 | $352 |
| 3 | $504 |
| 4 | $640 |
| 5 | $760 |
| 6 | $913 |
| 7 | $1,009 |
| 8 | $1,153 |
| Each Additional Member | $144 |
The following individuals are ineligible to receive food assistance:
- Anyone who is fleeing to avoid prosecution, custody, or confinement after a felony conviction under the law
- Anyone in violation of their parole/probation
- Anyone found guilty by a court of using food assistance benefits to buy firearms, ammunition, or explosives. These individuals are permanently disqualified from receiving food assistance benefits.
- Anyone using food assistance benefits to buy illegal drugs may be disqualified from receiving food assistance from 2 years to permanently.
- You may be ineligible if you are convicted after August 22, 1996 of a felony under Federal or State law for possession, use or distribution of a controlled drug substance.
- Anyone found guilty by a court of buying or selling food assistance benefits of $500 or more. These individuals are permanently disqualified from receiving food assistance.
- Anyone who misrepresents his identity or residence in order to receive multiple food assistance benefits simultaneously. These individuals are ineligible to receive food assistance benefits for 10 years from the date of conviction.
- Anyone found guilty of an intentional program violation (IPV) through an Administrative Disqualification Hearing or by a Federal, State, or local court or signed a hearing waiver, will be ineligible for food assistance for 12 months for first violation, 24 months for the second violation and permanently for the third violation. These individuals may also be fined or imprisoned or both, and may be subject to federal prosecution and penalties.
- Anyone physically and mentally fit between the ages of 18 and 50 enrolled in an institution of higher education, who does not meet certain eligible student criteria.
- Anyone who does not meet citizenship or alien status requirements.
- Anyone who refuses or fails without good cause to provide a social security number.
- Anyone disqualified for not complying with work requirements. This includes voluntarily quitting a job or reducing the number of hours worked without good cause.
- Anyone disqualified for violating program regulations
The head of household, spouse, or other responsible household member may designate an authorized representative to act on behalf of the household. This person may apply for benefits, obtain the benefits and/or use the benefits for the food assistance household. Some households have to report their household situation semi-annually on a six-month report form. These households have to report on a six-month basis regardless of whether there have been any changes in their situation.