Latest news with #AlabamaDepartmentofHumanResources
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Alabama DHR recommends locking EBT cards to prevent out-of-state fraud
HUNTSIVLLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Alabama Department of Human Resources is recommending that all EBT cardholders utilize the new Lock/Unlock feature on the ConnectEBT app and website, especially the 'Lock Card Everywhere' option which will help block out of state fraud. From May 2023 to December 20, 2024, Alabama DHR replaced $15.9 million of SNAP benefits due to EBT fraud. From October to December 20, 2024, over 26,000 reimbursements were approved for $10.5 million. The Department believes that 100% of the funds were stolen from outside of the state. Data shows that around $1.8 million in Alabama EBT expenditures happened in the state of New York and around $2.2 million was spent in Pennsylvania. The Department of Human Resources believe most, if not all, of this is fraud. 'The very best thing our SNAP clients can do is lock their card when they aren't using it,' said Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner. 'With the funds being stolen by utilizing out of state EBT terminals, we believe using our newest feature on ConnectEBT and locking the EBT card will truly combat this type of fraud.' Clients can choose from two options when locking their card: 'Lock Card Everywhere' or 'Lock Card'. 'Lock Card Everywhere' completely locks cards to ALL purchases anywhere. The 'Lock Card' option will lock cards from purchases outside of Alabama, but does allow online purchases. DHR strongly recommends the 'Lock Card Everywhere' option at all times when the card is not in use. EBT cardholders may also sign up for alerts through the ConnectEBT app and website. These alerts include account activity alerts through the app, text, and/or email. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New Summer EBT Benefits coming to families with eligible school children
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) — The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) in partnership with the Alabama State Department of Education is providing a way for school children to remain fed this summer. Officials plan to distribute Alabama SUN Bucks also known as 'Summer EBT' benefits to eligible children this summer, as part of a new federal program. Alabama SUN Bucks will provide a one-time issuance of $120 per school-aged child for grocery benefits for the summer to low-income families. According to officials, Alabama SUN Bucks will be automatically issued to school-aged children who have been approved by application or direct certification and attending a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs. Huntsville City Schools to offer free meals to children during summer learning activities Children that are directly certified through the ALSDE in programs such as SNAP, TANF or Medicaid will be automatically eligible for Alabama SUN Bucks. If children aren't enrolled automatically, they may still apply for Alabama SUN Bucks by clicking here. Students receiving free meals through the Community Eligibility Provision will not automatically qualify; however, students may still be eligible for the benefits based on the household's income. 'The summer break can be challenging for families when children are at home and spending increases because children and youth are not in school and receiving benefits,' said Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner. 'This additional money will help families across the state make it through summer break while also encouraging healthy and nutritious eating. Alabama SUN Bucks are accepted at grocery stores, farmers' markets, convenience stores, and online retailers. Alabama SUN Bucks can buy most SNAP-eligible foods, except hot and prepared foods. Alabama SUN Bucks benefits will start being sent in June 2025. Families that need to apply can do so anytime. Applications will be reviewed in May 2025. A letter about your child's eligibility will be sent to you if you applied or are automatically eligible. An Alabama SUN Bucks card will be issued for students who qualify for the program. Alabama SUN Bucks customer service representatives are available to answer Summer EBT questions Monday-Friday. Please contact the representatives by phone at 1-800-443-3536. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
New Alabama DHR measures hope to cut EBT food theft
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Officials with the Alabama Department of Human Resources are hoping new security measures will cut down on the theft of food benefits. Thousands of recipients have had their SNAP benefits taken remotely in Alabama in the last year through fraud. DHR officials say SNAP recipients need to use a new online system to lock their account and unlock it whenever they're ready to buy something and lock it again when they're month, we told you about how DHR stopped tracking EBT theft after reimbursement funds to recipients ended in late 2024. DHR officials say the new online account lock feature is another tool in their security toolbox with more to follow later this year. 'This gives a lot of autonomy and security options for the actual user. So it allows them to be to secure their own card,' said DHR Food Assistance Director Brandon Hardin. 'It is one of the tools in our toolbox, and we're going to continue to roll out other features throughout this year. Some are skeptical of the changes and argue DHR isn't focusing on the right problem. Christopher Lewis in Chickasaw receives SNAP benefits after injuries from two vehicle crashes. Christopher Lewis, theft victim: 'I don't think that would help too much at all. I think they really need to update their systems and go to the chip cards,' said Lewis. He says the onus should be on reimbursing the people who were harmed. 'I think it's wrong that they're not reimbursing us. The fraud has been going on for a while now and still nothing's being done about it.' He says someone stole his EBT funds in Texas last month and he couldn't get it back. DHR officials say they'll hopefully start rolling out cards with microchip security in by the end of the year. For more information on locking your EBT account, follow the link here to DHR's news release page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alabama DHR announces new website and App for SNAP clients
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Alabama Department of Human Resources has officially launched a new website and app for clients. The new ConnectEBT mobile app will allow for cardholders to access theiraccount to check their SNAP balance in real-time. On the app, you may also request replacement EBT cards, change PIN numbers, view allEBT transactions, and find answers to frequently asked questions. State officials said that DHR is working with the EBT vendor to add features that will give clients additional controls to help prevent theft of EBT benefits. 'This new app is part of our plan to increase security enhancements. This is the first step out of many that will greatly decrease the fraud happening to our clients,' said Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner. 'The Food Assistance Division has worked tirelessly to implement these features for our clients to continue putting food on the table and feed their families without interruption.' The ConnectEBT app is available on the App Store for iOS users and Google Play store for Android users. More information can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alabama House approves $3.7 billion General Fund budget for 2026
Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, the chair of the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee, listens to a speaker during debate over the fiscal year 2026 General Fund budget on April 3, 2025. The House approved the $3.7 billion budget on a 95-3 vote. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama House of Representatives approved a $3.7 billion 2026 General Fund budget 95-3 on Thursday morning. HB 186, sponsored by Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, is $347 million more than the current budget, about a 10% increase. Black Democrats criticized the budget for cutting appropriations for the Magic City Classic; Birmingham Civil Rights Museum and Jazz Hall of Fame. Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Linden, said the programs were part of diversity, equity and inclusion and needed to be funded. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'If we don't bring all of the minds, all of the cultures and all of the people together to work on things that affect all of the people, then we develop things in silos,' McCampbell said. Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, said a senator held a luncheon at the Jazz Hall of fame last week and wondered what happened in a week to the support of the museum in Birmingham. 'A couple of days later, we find out that the small funds that they would be receiving would be cut,' she said. The programs get a total of $2.2 million (0.06%) in the current budget. Reynolds told Givan that the programs would be funded through a Senate amendment. He said the budget was run through a computer program that cut one-time appropriations and that he would be willing to add funds back in for programs that needed it. 'When members came to me and asked me to reinsert those, we often did,' Reynolds said. 'But nobody had requested that those get put back in there.' The House version of the budget is about $6 million higher than Gov. Kay Ivey's proposed budget, filed in February. The chamber also adopted a committee amendment that appropriates money for a statue of Helen Keller on the Alabama State Capitol grounds. Reynolds also offered a floor amendment that added $425,000 for a Transportation Pilot Program under the Alabama Department of Human Resources. It passed 97-0. 'The $425,000 is for SAFE, Mary Hill Family Services Center and Circle of Care Center for Families,' Reynolds said. The Alabama Medicaid Agency, which provides health insurance for over 1 million Alabamians, nearly all children, elderly citizens and those with disabilities, will get $1.179 billion from the state, a $223.8 million (19%) increase over this year. Ivey requested $1.184 billion in February, about $5 million than what the House approved. The Alabama Department of Corrections, which administers the state prisons, will get a $90.1 million increase (11%) to $826.7 million. The Alabama Department of Human Resources, which provides child and adult protective services, enforces child support payments and administers food and family assistance, will get $148.9 million from the state in 2026, a $4.7 million (3%) increase from the current budget. The Alabama Department of Mental Health, which provides mental health care services in the state, will get a $4.7 million increase (2%) to $244 million. The Legislature cut the funding from Ivey's recommendation by $3.7 million. 'Sustainability is always my priority when developing the budget—we must make decisions that the state can afford not only now but, in the future, as well,' Reynolds said in a statement. 'While high interest rates are driving revenue growth in state accounts, that will not always be the case, which is why we must continue to approach this process from a fiscally conservative standpoint.' House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, applauded Reynolds and the committee for their work on the budget. 'Our budgeting process is calculated, transparent, and guided by the principle of not spending every dollar that comes in,' he said in a statement. 'I commend Rep. Reynolds and the members of the House for their work in developing the state's financial plan for 2026 and setting Alabama up for continued success.' The budget now goes to the Senate. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
