HB533 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Will Dismukes

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Public assistance, certain eligibility requirements for TANF and SNAP revised, fraud detection measures required

Summary

HB 533 would tighten SNAP and TANF rules in Alabama by ending categorical SNAP eligibility, limiting TANF cash benefits to 36 months, and adding fraud, residency, and replacement-card monitoring.

What This Bill Does

The bill would prohibit granting SNAP categorical eligibility or waivers of SNAP work requirements (except as allowed by federal law) and would set a 36-month lifetime limit on TANF cash payments. It would require the Department of Human Resources to look for out-of-state purchases and establish benchmarks that trigger residency reviews, as well as monitor large or frequent even-dollar purchases for potential fraud. It would also require monitoring of replacement EBT card requests, with an office visit after the fourth request and automatic fraud review for subsequent requests, and allow suspension of TANF cash payments if a recipient does not cooperate with fraud investigations, along with maintaining adequate fraud staff. The act would authorize DHR to adopt implementing rules and would take effect January 1, 2020.

Who It Affects

• SNAP beneficiaries: could lose eligibility protections from categorical eligibility and face potential disqualification for non-compliance or failure to follow program actions, plus increased review of purchases and residency status.
• TANF recipients: would face a 36-month lifetime limit on cash payments, potential suspension of cash assistance for non-cooperation with fraud investigations, and enhanced monitoring of EBT card activity and out-of-state purchases.

Key Provisions

• SNAP eligibility restrictions: no categorical eligibility for SNAP; no waivers of SNAP work requirements except as allowed by federal law; no exemption from SNAP resource limits for non-cash benefits.
• TANF cash limit: lifetime limit of 36 months for cash payments under TANF, with federal exceptions referenced in the act.
• Out-of-state monitoring: DHR must identify out-of-state TANF/SNAP purchases and set benchmarks that trigger automatic residency review.
• Purchase review: DHR must monitor frequent or large even-dollar purchases to trigger fraud reviews of benefit use.
• Replacement EBT monitoring: DHR must track replacement card requests; after the fourth request (within 12 months) require an office visit to warn of surveillance; further requests trigger automatic fraud review.
• Fraud investigation actions: individuals who fail to cooperate with fraud investigations become ineligible for TANF until they reasonably cooperate; DHR must maintain sufficient fraud staff.
• Rulemaking authority: DHR may adopt rules to implement the act.
• Effective date: The act becomes law on January 1, 2020.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Public Assistance