Yellowhammer Times

Governor Kay Ivey announced on Tuesday the release of $2 million in state emergency funds to support eight food banks that serve all 67 counties in Alabama. The move comes as some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in the state begin missing benefit payments due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

In Alabama, SNAP benefits are distributed between the 4th and 23rd of each month. With the shutdown continuing, more children, seniors, and people with disabilities who rely on SNAP are affected each day. According to the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), SNAP is entirely funded by the federal government.

During this period, DHR is also redirecting an additional $3 million to Feeding Alabama's network of food banks, covering every county in the state. For fiscal year 2026, this brings total redirected funds to $9 million. There are currently 11,434 children enrolled in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program; caregivers for these children will receive an extra $300 per child to help cover monthly costs during the lapse in SNAP funding.

Governor Ivey emphasized that while it is not sustainable for Alabama to take over federal responsibilities, she felt compelled to provide additional resources for those in need. "There are real Alabama families who rely on SNAP to put food on their tables, and that includes more than 300,000 children, more than 102,000 seniors and those who are disabled. That is why I am directing $2 million in emergency funding to go towards food banks serving the people of our state," said Governor Ivey. "We are now in the longest federal government shutdown in history, and it is absolutely ridiculous that families all across our country are suffering – whether that is the school children who rely on SNAP, the air traffic controller not receiving a paycheck or even our military and high number of federal government worker families in Alabama. Hear me loud and clear when I say Alabama cannot be both the state and federal government. And like states all across the country, Alabama is stepping up to help, but this is not sustainable by any means. U.S. Senate Democrats must vote to reopen the federal government now."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has sent new guidance to states regarding partial funding for SNAP during the shutdown. Secretary Brooke Rollins stated that this process will be complex for states and may result in delays; DHR officials are currently reviewing these details.

Some members of Alabama’s Legislature have asked about calling a special session to access Rainy Day funds. Governor Ivey said she does not plan to do so since current law requires proration—a condition not met at this time—for such action.

"There is only one true solution and that is for Congress to do their one job and reopen the federal government now," Governor Ivey added.

The eight food banks set to receive assistance include: Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, Food Bank of East Alabama, Food Bank of North Alabama, Feeding the Gulf Coast, Heart of Alabama Food Bank, Selma Area Food Bank, West Alabama Food Bank and Wiregrass Area Food Bank.