You’re standing in the checkout line at a Piggly Wiggly in Birmingham or maybe a Walmart in Mobile, and that plastic card in your wallet is basically your lifeline for the week. Most people think having EBT cards in Alabama is pretty straightforward, but honestly, things just changed in a big way this month. If you haven't been keeping up with the news from the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), you might be in for a surprise the next time you try to use your card for a grocery delivery or a trip across the state line.
Starting January 22, 2026, the state is rolling out a massive security update that’s going to catch a lot of people off guard. Essentially, Alabama is now "auto-locking" cards against high-risk transactions.
The 2026 Lockdown on EBT Cards in Alabama
This isn't just some minor tweak in the system. Commissioner Nancy Buckner and the DHR team decided to default every single card to a "Block High-Risk Transaction" status. Why? Because skimming and electronic fraud have been absolutely brutal lately. If you’ve ever had your benefits wiped out by someone in another state, you know how devastating that is.
But here’s the kicker: this means your card will now be automatically declined if you try to use it at a store outside of Alabama or for most online purchases.
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You’ve got to be proactive now. If you’re planning a trip to see family in Georgia or Mississippi, or if you prefer ordering your groceries through an app like Instacart where the payment might process out-of-state, your card won’t work unless you manually go into the ConnectEBT app or website and unlock it first. It's a bit of a hassle, sure, but it's better than waking up to a zero balance because a scammer in another time zone found your PIN.
How Much Can You Actually Get?
The numbers for 2026 have shifted slightly to keep up with the cost of living. It's not a windfall, but it helps. For a single person, the gross income limit is now hovering around $1,696 a month. If you're a family of four, you're looking at a limit of roughly $3,483.
- 1 Person: $1,696
- 2 People: $2,292
- 3 People: $2,888
- 4 People: $3,483
- 5 People: $4,079
If you’ve got someone in the house over 60 or someone with a disability, those rules get a lot more flexible. Alabama is actually pretty decent about not counting your car or your home as "assets," which is a huge relief compared to how some other states handle things.
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The Alabama SUN Bucks Situation
There’s also this newer thing called SUN Bucks, which is basically the 2026 version of Summer EBT. If you have school-aged kids who get free or reduced-price lunch, keep an eye out for a one-time $120 payment per child during the summer months. Most families get this automatically, but if you don't see it by June, you’ll want to hit up the specific SUN Bucks customer service line at 1-800-443-3536.
Buying Stuff: The "No-Go" List
People always ask if they can buy hot chicken at the deli or a rotisserie bird. The answer is still a hard no. If it’s hot at the point of sale, EBT cards in Alabama won't cover it.
You also can't grab:
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- Pet food (even though the cat is part of the family).
- Paper towels or toilet paper.
- Vitamins or anything with a "Supplement Facts" label.
- Alcohol or tobacco (obviously).
What you can do, which is actually pretty cool, is buy seeds and plants. If you’ve got a little patch of dirt in the backyard, you can use your SNAP benefits to buy tomato plants or seeds. It’s one of the most underutilized parts of the program.
What to Do If Things Go Wrong
If your card gets eaten by an ATM or just stops swiping, don't panic. The main customer service number is 1-800-997-8888. This is a 24/7 line. If you think your card was skimmed, call them immediately to freeze it.
You should also know about the "Benny" app or the official ebtEDGE portal. These are way faster for checking your balance than standing at the register and hoping for the best.
Actionable Steps for Alabama Cardholders
To make sure you don't run into issues with the new 2026 security rules, here is exactly what you need to do:
- Download the ConnectEBT App: This is no longer optional if you want to shop online or travel. You'll need it to toggle your "out-of-state" block on and off.
- Check Your Mail: DHR sends out recertification notices that look like junk mail. If you miss one, your benefits will cut off without a phone call.
- Update Your PIN: If you’re still using a PIN like "1234" or your birth year, change it. Scammers find those in seconds.
- Verify Your SUN Bucks: If you have kids in school, log into the Alabama SUN Bucks portal to ensure your mailing address is current so that $120 card doesn't go to an old apartment.
Staying on top of these changes is the only way to make sure your food budget stays secure. The system is getting more protective, which is good, but it requires you to be a bit more "tech-savvy" than in years past.