How to Request a SNAP Appeal or Fair Hearing in Alabama

If you applied for SNAP (food stamps) in Alabama and were denied, cut off, or given a lower benefit amount than you expected, you usually have the right to appeal and ask for a fair hearing.

This guide explains, in plain language, how SNAP appeals and fair hearings in Alabama typically work, what to expect, and how to move forward through official state channels.

SNAP Appeals and Fair Hearings in Alabama: The Basics

In Alabama, SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is run by the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) through local county DHR offices.

If you disagree with a SNAP decision, you can generally:

• Ask for an appeal / fair hearing
• Explain why you think the decision is wrong
• Present documents and witnesses at a hearing
• Have someone help you, like an advocate, lawyer, or trusted friend

A SNAP fair hearing is a formal review by an independent hearing officer who is not the person who made the original decision on your case.

Common reasons people in Alabama request a SNAP appeal include:

• Application was denied
• Benefit amount is lower than expected
• Benefits were reduced or stopped
• Case was closed without understanding why
• Claim that you were overpaid and must pay money back
• Disagreement about household size, income, or deductions used

Your Right to Appeal SNAP Decisions in Alabama

What decisions can be appealed?

You can usually appeal any written decision or action that affects your SNAP, including:

• Denial of your application
• Delay in getting a decision (usually if there is no decision within a certain time)
• Reduction in monthly benefits
• Termination / closure of your case
• Overpayment notices (when the agency says you were paid too much)
• Decisions about:
  • Income calculation
  • Household members
  • Work requirements or sanctions
  • Deductions for shelter, child care, medical costs (if applicable)

If you are not sure whether you can appeal, you can contact your local county DHR office and ask if the action can be appealed and how long you have.

Time limits (deadlines) to appeal

In SNAP, there is usually a strict deadline to ask for a fair hearing. In many cases:

• You typically must request a hearing within 90 days of the date on the notice you received.
• For some issues (like continuing benefits during an appeal), you may need to act within 10 days from the date on the notice, or before the effective date of the change.

Because deadlines can change and may be different for certain situations, always:

• Read your notice carefully (front and back)
• Look for sections labeled “Right to Appeal”, “Fair Hearing”, or “If You Disagree”
• Call your county DHR office or the state SNAP helpline immediately if you are near a deadline

Missing a deadline can mean you lose your right to a hearing on that decision.

How to Request a SNAP Fair Hearing in Alabama

You cannot file an appeal through HowToGetAssistance.org. To request a hearing, you must go through Alabama DHR or your local county office.

Common ways to request a SNAP appeal

Most people in Alabama can request a fair hearing in one of these ways:

1. In writing (strongly recommended)

   • Use the appeal / hearing request form included with your notice, if available
   • Or write a simple letter that includes:
     • Your full name
     • Your case number (if you have one)
     • Your address and phone number
     • A clear statement like:
       “I want to appeal the decision on my SNAP case and request a fair hearing.”
     • The date and your signature
   • Turn it in to your county DHR office or mail it to the address on your notice.

2. By phone (when allowed)

   • Call your local county DHR office or the Alabama SNAP / DHR central office number listed on your notice.
   • Say that you want to request a fair hearing about your SNAP case.
   • Ask the worker to:
     • Repeat back what they will do
     • Tell you any confirmation number or next steps
   • If you request by phone, it’s helpful to write down the date, time, and name of the person you spoke with.

3. In person at your local DHR office

   • Visit your county DHR office during business hours.
   • Go to the reception desk or ask for someone who handles SNAP.
   • Tell them you want to file an appeal or request a fair hearing.
   • Ask if they can help you complete a written request and give you a copy.

What to say in your request

You do not have to explain your whole case in the request, but it can help to include a short reason, for example:

• “I disagree with the denial of my SNAP application dated [date].”
• “I disagree with the reduction of my SNAP benefits effective [date].”
• “I disagree with the overpayment notice dated [date].”

The most important thing is to clearly request a hearing before the deadline.

Should You Ask to Keep Getting Benefits During the Appeal?

In some situations, you may be able to continue receiving your previous SNAP amount while your appeal is being decided. This is often called “continuation of benefits” or “aid paid pending appeal.”

This usually applies when:

• You are already receiving SNAP, and
• You are appealing a reduction, suspension, or termination of benefits, and
• You request the hearing quickly (often within 10 days from the date on the notice or before the effective date of the change)

However, if you lose the hearing, you may be required to repay the extra benefits you received during the appeal.

Because this can be complex, many people:

• Read their notice closely for instructions about continuing benefits
• Call their county DHR office to ask:
  • “If I appeal, can my benefits stay the same? For how long?”
  • “Will I owe anything back if I lose?”

If repayment would be a problem, consider talking with a legal aid organization before asking to continue benefits.

Preparing for Your SNAP Fair Hearing in Alabama

Once your request is received, Alabama DHR will usually:

• Schedule a hearing date and time
• Send you a written notice of hearing stating:
  • Date and time
  • Whether the hearing is by phone, video, or in person
  • How to join or where to go
  • Any special instructions

Use this time to organize your case.

1. Gather documents

Collect anything that supports your side of the story. Common helpful items include:

• ID and basic information
  • Government-issued photo ID
  • Your SNAP case number or client number
• Income proof
  • Recent pay stubs
  • Employer letters with hours and pay rate
  • Unemployment benefit letters
  • Social Security or disability benefit letters
• Household information
  • Lease or rental agreement
  • Utility bills (electric, gas, water)
  • Child support orders or proof of payments
• Expense and deduction proof
  • Child care receipts or provider statements
  • Medical bills or pharmacy receipts (if deductions apply)
  • Transportation or work-related expenses, if relevant
• Notices from DHR
  • The denial or reduction letter
  • Any verification requests you received
  • Any letters you sent back to DHR

You can also ask the county DHR office for a copy of your case file before the hearing so you can see what they used to make their decision.

2. Make a simple timeline

Write a short timeline of what has happened:

• When you applied
• When you turned in verification documents
• When you received notices
• When your benefits changed

This helps you stay organized when speaking with the hearing officer.

3. Decide who will attend

You have the right to:

• Represent yourself, and/or
• Have a lawyer or legal aid advocate represent you
• Bring a friend or family member for support (in many cases)
• Bring witnesses who can speak to facts (for example, a landlord, employer, or caregiver)

If you want a representative, you usually must give written permission for them to act on your behalf. Ask your local DHR office about what form or statement they need.

4. Ask for accommodations if you need them

If you need help fully taking part in the hearing, you can usually request:

• An interpreter (for your language or for sign language)
• Disability-related accommodations
• Rescheduling if the time conflicts with work, medical appointments, or other serious issues

Make these requests as soon as possible to your hearing office or county DHR office.

What Happens During a SNAP Fair Hearing in Alabama?

The hearing is usually less formal than a courtroom but still follows rules. A hearing officer will lead the process and make a decision.

Here’s how a typical Alabama SNAP hearing goes:

1. Introduction

   • The hearing officer explains:
     • The issue being decided
     • The process and your rights
     • That the hearing is being recorded

2. Agency’s side

   • A DHR representative explains:
     • How your case was processed
     • Which rules they applied
     • Why they made their decision
   • They may present:
     • Parts of your case file
     • Copies of documents you provided
     • Internal notes or calculations

3. Your side

   • You (or your representative) can:
     • Tell your story and explanation
     • Present your documents
     • Call witnesses, if any
   • You can question (cross-examine) the DHR worker or challenge information you believe is incorrect.

4. Questions from the hearing officer

   • The hearing officer may ask questions to:
     • Clarify details
     • Understand your income, expenses, or living situation
     • Confirm timelines and documents

5. Closing

   • You may be allowed to give a short closing statement, summarizing why you believe the decision was wrong.
   • The officer explains when and how you will receive a written decision.

You usually do not get a decision on the spot. The hearing officer reviews everything and mails a written decision later.

After the Hearing: Decisions and Next Steps

Types of outcomes

After reviewing the hearing record, the hearing officer will issue a written decision. Common outcomes include:

• In your favor (fully)

  • The decision is reversed.
  • Your case is corrected and benefits are restored or increased, if appropriate.
  • If you were wrongly denied or underpaid, you may receive back benefits for the period covered by the appeal.

• Partly in your favor

  • Some issues are decided for you, others for the agency.
  • Your benefit amount might change, but not exactly as you requested.

• Upholding the agency decision

  • The officer agrees with DHR.
  • The denial, reduction, or overpayment stands.

• Dismissal

  • The appeal is dismissed if:
    • It was filed too late
    • You did not show up and had no good cause
    • The issue is not something that can legally be appealed

The written decision will usually explain:

• What the officer decided
• The reasons and rules used
• Any actions DHR must take
• Whether there is any further appeal or review option (for example, judicial review in a state court)

If you lose your SNAP appeal

If the decision is not in your favor, you can consider:

• Reading the decision carefully to understand what went wrong (missing documents, income amount used, etc.)
• Asking your local DHR office if you can:
  • Reapply with new or updated information
  • Submit missing documents for a new review
• Talking with a legal aid organization about whether:
  • You have grounds for a further appeal (like to a state court)
  • It might be better to reapply rather than continue the legal process

For overpayments, if the hearing confirms that you owe money back, DHR may:

• Reduce your future SNAP benefits until the overpayment is repaid, or
• Set up a repayment plan, or
• Use other collection methods allowed by law

If repayment would cause serious hardship, it can be useful to ask DHR about repayment options and consult legal aid if available.

Common Reasons People Lose SNAP Appeals in Alabama

Understanding frequent issues can help you prepare better:

• Missing deadlines to request a hearing
• Not attending the hearing (and not asking to reschedule in time)
• Lack of documents to back up your claims (income, rent, expenses, etc.)
• Misunderstanding who counts in your household (for example, people who buy and cook food separately vs. together)
• Unreported income or changes that the agency later discovers
• Not responding to DHR’s requests for verification before the decision was made

To avoid these problems:

• Keep copies of everything you send to DHR
• Open and read every letter from DHR quickly
• Respond to verification requests by the stated deadline
• Update DHR when your income, address, or household changes

Quick Reference: Appeals and Fair Hearings for SNAP in Alabama

Documents to Gather Before a SNAP Appeal in Alabama

Here’s a simple checklist many people find helpful:

• From DHR

  • All SNAP notices (denial, reduction, closure, overpayment)
  • Any verification requests you received
  • Copies of forms you filled out, if you have them

• Identity and household

  • Photo ID
  • Social Security numbers (or proof of application) for household members, if relevant
  • Proof of where you live (lease, landlord letter, mail)

• Income

  • Last 30–60 days of pay stubs
  • Employer letters (if work hours vary)
  • Unemployment or benefit award letters
  • Child support or alimony received

• Expenses

  • Rent or mortgage statements
  • Utility bills
  • Child care or dependent care receipts
  • Medical expenses (if applicable for deductions)

Organizing these documents in a folder and making copies can make your hearing go more smoothly.

If You Don’t Qualify or Your Appeal Fails: Other Food Resources in Alabama

If you are not eligible for SNAP, or if you lose your appeal, there may still be ways to get help with food:

• Food banks and pantries

  • Many communities in Alabama have food banks, pantries, and church-based programs.
  • You can often find them by:
    • Calling 211 (a community resource line in many areas)
    • Asking your county DHR office for a list of local food providers

• Soup kitchens and community meals

  • Some charities and churches provide free hot meals on certain days of the week.

• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)

  • For pregnant women, new mothers, and young children, WIC may provide specific foods and nutrition support.
  • Contact your local health department or WIC office to ask about eligibility.

• School meal programs

  • Children in public schools may be able to receive free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.
  • Contact your child’s school or the district nutrition office.

These programs all have their own rules and application steps, so you will need to contact the official offices that run them.

How to Make Sure You’re Using Official Alabama SNAP Channels

When dealing with your SNAP appeal, it’s important to avoid scams or unofficial services that charge unnecessary fees.

To stay safe:

• Use contact details from:
  • Official letters you received from Alabama DHR
  • The state government website or county DHR office listings
• Be cautious if:
  • Someone asks for upfront payment to “guarantee” approval or win your appeal
  • A website promises you can get SNAP benefits directly through them (instead of through DHR)
• Do not share:
  • Your full Social Security number, EBT card number, or PIN with anyone other than official staff
• If you’re unsure whether a phone number or website is official:
  • Call your county DHR office directly using a number from a government directory or from a recent DHR notice you received
  • You can also dial 211 in many parts of Alabama for help finding official agencies

Remember, HowToGetAssistance.org provides information only. To request an appeal, submit documents, or check your case status, you must contact Alabama DHR or your local county DHR office through their official channels.