The Alabama Department of Human Resources announced in a news release that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be suspended in November following guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.

The directive, issued to state agencies on Friday, Oct. 24, stated that effective Nov. 1, “FNS is suspending all November 2025 benefit allotments until… federal funding is provided, or until FNS directs State agencies otherwise.”

Accoridng to the release, no new benefits will be issued during the suspension, though recipients can still use any benefits already loaded onto their electronic benefit transfer cards before Nov. 1 at any SNAP-authorized retailer.

DHR emphasized that while benefits are temporarily halted, the agency will continue processing new applications and recertifications to ensure clients remain eligible once the suspension is lifted. SNAP recipients are urged to continue submitting required reports and documentation so their benefits can be released quickly when funding resumes.

“SNAP benefits are 100% federally funded; therefore USDA (FNS) controls the issuance of these benefits on EBT cards,” said Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner in the release. “I was pleased to learn that FNS plans to reimburse November administrative costs which will help states financially. 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.”

Individuals seeking food assistance during the suspension can contact their local Feeding Alabama food bank or visit www.feedingalabama.org for available resources. DHR partners with many community food programs statewide to help families access emergency food support.