Alabama Food Assistance Eligibility

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Who is Eligible for SNAP Benefits (Food Stamps) in Alabama?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Alabama is known as the Food Assistance Program, and the benefits provided by it as food stamps.  The Alabama Food Assistance Program is funded mostly by federal grants and provides monthly food assistance to eligible Alabamians.

The Alabama food stamps eligibility rules and benefit amounts,  like in other States, are based on a limited income, limited liquid resources, household size, and other requirements. Most eligibility rules are determined by regulations issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service.

The federal law allows States some flexibility when implementing SNAP on a State level. State agencies can adapt some of the food assistance program rules in order to meet the needs of the eligible, low‐income local population.

Alabama food stamps eligibility and the Food Assistance Program are designed for individuals and families with limited income resources, who compose a household, and purchase and prepare their meals together for home consumption.

In general, to qualify for Alabama Food Assistance Benefits you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Alabama Resident – U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident Alien;
• Work Requirement – unless exempted, each household member must work or be registered to work;
• Low Income –  Income limits eligibility depends on household size and composition. Households with no elderly or disabled individuals must meet both gross and net income limits. Households with elderly or disabled individuals must meet only the net income limits. Gross income includes wages, salaries, commissions, dividends, child support, self-employment income, unemployment compensation, social security benefits, etc. See the table with Alabama food stamp income limits per household size below.

Alabama food stamps eligibility allows for Some residents to be automatically or so-called categorically eligible for Food Assistance if they already participate in other means-tested assistance programs. Getting benefits from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) federal block grant or receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can make the applicant for Food Assistance categorically eligible, thus bypassing the income eligibility and asset eligibility rules. Under the federal SNAP regulations, States do have to assign a gross income limit of 200% of the federal poverty line (FPL) or less in order to use any TANF-funded benefit that can make Food Assistance applicants eligible.

Quick Eligibility Check

Use this Pre-Screening Eligibility Tool to find out if you might be eligible to get Alabama Food Assistance Benefits (Food Stamps). The Screening allows interested in getting Alabama food stamps to provide some basic information and determine if they are potentially eligible for benefits. Although you will be notified immediately if you qualify after completing the questionnaire you still have to make and sign an application at your local County DHR office.

Food Assistance Program | Apply | Approval | Benefits

Sources: State Agencies, FNS, USDA

To figure out, before applying,  if you'd qualify for food stamps benefits in your state you have to consider the following:

1. Your Household size: How many people you live and buy food with? Count:
   • anyone you live with and buy and make food with
   • children under 22 years old and,
   • elderly 60+ and disabled that you make food for.
2. Your Income: How much money does your household make? This includes both:
   • earned income - the money you make from jobs and
   • unearned income  - cash assistance, Social Security, unemployment insurance, child support, etc.

Who counts as a member of the household for SNAP eligibility?

In general, anyone who lives with you and you buy food with counts a member of your household.

Your children under 22 of age count as household members, even if they buy and make their own food.

But your tenant, for example, or your adult children that are over 22 of age do not count. They are not counted in the household number for the purpose of food stamp benefits qualification.

The elderly age of 60+ and disabled people count as household members if you buy and make food for them, or you buy and make food together. If they live with you, but they buy and make food separately, they do not count as household members.

See the updated table below for this fiscal year's income limits and monthly benefits (allotments).

What is the gross and net income limit that qualifies you for food stamps?

SNAP Max Income for Food Stamps
Oct. 1, 2019, through Sept. 30, 2020 

 Source:  USDA, SNAP Income Eligibility Standards