SB246 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Arthur OrrSenator
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Public assistance; categorical eligibility for food assistance prohibited; Department of Human Resources prohibited from applying higher gross income standards for food assistance than required by federal law
Summary: SB246 would align Alabama’s SNAP rules with federal law by ending automatic eligibility based on other benefits and limiting income tests to federal standards, starting October 1, 2025.
What This Bill Does
The bill would stop the Department of Human Resources from granting categorical eligibility for SNAP benefits unless federal law requires it. It would also prevent the department from using gross income standards for food assistance that are higher than the federal limit. As a result, fewer households may qualify automatically, and eligibility would be determined strictly by federal income thresholds. The changes would take effect on October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects
SNAP applicants or recipients who would have qualified automatically under categorical eligibility because they receive other benefits; they may no longer qualify automatically unless federal law requires it.
Alabama households seeking food assistance whose eligibility depends on the state's gross income standards; the state must use the federal gross income limit, potentially changing who qualifies.

Key Provisions
Section 1: The State Department of Human Resources may not grant categorical eligibility for SNAP benefits except as required by federal law, and may not apply gross income standards higher than those specified in federal law.
Section 2: The act becomes effective on October 1, 2025.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Health