benefits Archives • Page 2 of 4 • Alabama Political Reporter

SNAP replacement benefits coming to three counties hit by Hurricane Sally

Thousands of SNAP recipients in Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia counties are set to receive automatic replacement benefits as a result of Hurricane Sally, the Alabama Department of Human Resources announced Thursday. Recipients who received their benefits Sept. 1 through Sept. 16 will receive a replacement of 50 percent of their regular monthly benefit. Those who … Continued

September 25, 2020

A plan for students to return safely to school, whenever that may be

In a few weeks, most students in Alabama are scheduled to return to school. With so few days left before students return, there are important questions that still need to be answered: Is it safe for kids to go back to school? What is the best way to keep students and faculty healthy? And what … Continued

July 22, 2020

Pandemic EBT benefits begin rolling out to eligible Alabama students

The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) announced on Wednesday that Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) benefits were received by more than 115,000 Alabama households over the weekend in Phase 1 of the multi-phase rollout. P-EBT benefits are being provided to households that have children in grades K-12 who have temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school … Continued

May 7, 2020

ER doctors in frontline battle against COVID-19 are facing pay cuts

Emergency room doctors across the nation are experiencing cuts to pay, benefits and hours even as they battle COVID-19. Suddenly ER doctors in Alabama are facing the same slashes to their income. “It’s crazy, cutting hours and pay right as hell breaks loose,” said an Alabama ER doctor who has spent the last month treating … Continued

April 9, 2020

How do I apply for unemployment in Alabama?

Unemployment is surging in Alabama as businesses across the country have been forced close because of restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Just last week, more than 9,000 people applied for unemployment compensation in the state, according to the Alabama Department of Labor. Workers who lose their jobs because … Continued

March 22, 2020

Sessions supported the widow’s tax that Doug Jones just killed

After nearly two decades, the military widow’s tax is apparently on its deathbed. Thanks to Doug Jones. A U.S. Senator from Alabama. Because of Jones and Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, some 67,000 military widows will finally enjoy the military benefits their loved ones were promised when they enlisted and gave their lives protecting … Continued

December 18, 2019

Work based learning benefits potential employees and employers

Our unemployment rate is at a record low. Each month, we see reports that more and more people are gaining entry into the labor force. This is great for all Alabamians and our economy. While this benefits our state as a whole, it can be challenging for businesses to find qualified employees. Many managers and … Continued

August 6, 2019

A good solution to the two-tier retirement system

Unintended consequences are a common problem when it comes to making laws and government policy. A good example of this is the changes lawmakers made in 2012 to the retirement systems for education and state employees. The economic recession that began in 2008 had severely hurt the Retirement Systems of Alabama’s investments. The slowness of … Continued

April 11, 2019

A legacy of compassion

I am in no way opposed to Gov. Kay Ivey’s gas tax hike for bridge and road infrastructure. It’s been a long time since the gas tax was raised, and during all that time, Alabama’s roads and bridges have not been repairing themselves. I’m all in. But that is not the legacy Ivey should want … Continued

March 15, 2019