Families relying on SNAP benefits to put food on the table could see a majority of November funds available by the end of the week.
The USDA Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) instructed the Alabama Department of Human Resources and others around the country on Saturday to process partial SNAP payments “with a 35 percent reduction of the maximum allotments.”
“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 a statement Monday. “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. DHR is hopeful to release benefits by the end of this week, barring any changes from FNS and/or any unforeseen problems in making changes to the SNAP system.”
The reduced benefits are the result of a court battle that is currently allowing the federal government to partially fund SNAP benefits during the government shutdown. A federal judge ordered the federal government to release full funding, but the order is under appeal.
Full SNAP benefits could be on their way soon as the U.S. Senate is finally moving to pass a bill fund the government. But the end of the shutdown could still be days away while hungry families await assistance.
