Welcome to Alabama Arise’s legislative toolkit, a resource designed to help you understand and engage in the Alabama legislative process. Most people recognize the vital role that voting plays in a democracy – even if they don’t vote. But fewer understand their ongoing role in shaping public policy. We hope this toolkit helps you recognize the influence you have to advocate for a better Alabama for all.
Because state legislators represent you, you are their constituents. Using your constituent power to influence legislators is called lobbying. And lobbying is one way to speak up about issues of concern to you and our communities. Speaking up and lobbying are important ways to participate in advocacy. It is critical to understand the Alabama legislative process if you want to strengthen your advocacy and be more effective.
What this toolkit covers
This toolkit includes information about the legislative process and how you can influence that process. It also includes tips for visiting the Alabama State House, legislators’ contact information and how to stay engaged throughout the legislative session and beyond. The digital toolkit includes links to resources, and we encourage you to share it.
Understanding the legislative process
The Alabama Legislature has two chambers.
The Senate has 35 members (senators) from the 35 Senate districts. The presiding officer is the Lieutenant Governor. In his or her absence, the role is filled by the President Pro Tempore (president “for a time”) – called President Pro Tem for short – who is elected from the Senate by its members at the start of each quadrennium.
The House of Representatives has 105 members (representatives) from the 105 House districts. The presiding officer is the Speaker of the House, elected from the chamber by its members at the start of each quadrennium. The Speaker Pro Tem presides in the Speaker’s absence.
The annual period when the Legislature meets is called the legislative session.
State officers (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, etc.) and members of the Legislature are elected every four years. The four-year cycle is called a quadrennium. The next election is in November 2026.
Each year’s legislative session begins on a date set in the Alabama Constitution. The regular session begins on the first Tuesday in March in the first year of a quadrennium, on the first Tuesday in February in the second and third years, and on the second Tuesday in January in the fourth year. The 2025 session began Feb. 4.
The Legislature meets (usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays) for a maximum of 30 meeting days within a period of 105 calendar days. Committees usually meet on Wednesdays. The 2025 session will end by May 2025.
The Governor may call a special session, in a written “call” indicating the subjects to be considered. Legislators may not enact legislation on other subjects during a special session unless the legislation receives a two-thirds vote in both chambers. A special session may last up to 12 meeting days within a 30-day calendar span.
The main work of the Legislature is passing laws. Legislators usually introduce anywhere from 700 to 1,500 bills and resolutions during a session. Some of those bills apply statewide, but many others apply only to certain counties or cities. Lawmakers also introduce many congratulatory resolutions. Legislation on new issues often takes several years to pass.
Process of proposing and passing laws
Every new law must pass through a similar process in both chambers, the House and Senate. Following are the steps in that process.
A member of either chamber introduces (or files) a bill – a proposal for a new law. Sometimes bills with identical language are filed in both chambers by a member in each. These are called companion bills.
The bill gets a first reading (usually by title only), and the presiding officer then refers it to a committee.
The committee considers the bill – and may hold a public hearing on it, if the committee chair receives a written request for one. A bill that passes committee is “reported out” to the full chamber in a second reading (usually by bill number only) and placed on the General Calendar for the next meeting day.
On the next meeting day, the bill becomes eligible for its third and final reading and for debate. The volume of bills, however, prevents most from being considered promptly. The Rules Committee places high-priority bills on the Special Order Calendar.
The bill gets its third reading (by number only unless a member requests a full reading) when its number comes up in the assigned sequence on the Special Order or General Calendar. Debate in the full chamber begins. When debate ends, members vote on the bill.
After the bill passes one chamber, it goes to the other chamber, and the process repeats.
If the second chamber makes any changes to the bill’s language, the bill must return to the first chamber. The first chamber can vote to agree to the changes (known as concurrence), or it can request a conference committee – with members from both the House and Senate – to resolve differences between the two versions of the bill.
If a bill goes to a conference committee, the committee produces a version of the bill known as a conference report. Both the House and Senate must vote to approve a conference report before it can go to the Governor.
Once a bill passes both chambers, it goes to the Governor to be signed or vetoed.
If the Governor vetoes (or rejects) a bill, it goes back to the Legislature, where a simple majority vote by both chambers can override (or reverse) the veto.
If the Governor signs the bill or if the Legislature overrides a veto, the bill becomes an act, or law.
Legislative leadership and members
Here are members of legislative leadership and some select committee chairs for the Senate and House. You can find a full list of legislators at alison.legislature.state.al.us.
The Senate
President and Presiding Officer – Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth
President Pro Tempore – Sen. Garlan Gudger (Cullman, District 4)
Finance and Taxation Education Committee Chair – Sen. Arthur Orr (Decatur, District 3)
Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee Chair – Sen. Greg Albritton (Excel, District 22)
Senate Rules Committee Chair – Sen. Jabo Waggoner (Vestavia Hills, District 16)
Republican Majority Leader – Sen. Steve Livingston (Scottsboro, District 8)
Democratic Minority Leader – Sen. Bobby Singleton (Greensboro, District 24)
The House
Speaker of the House – Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter (Rainsville, District 24)
Speaker Pro Tempore – Rep. Chris Pringle (Mobile, District 101)
House Ways and Means Education Committee Chair – Rep. Danny Garrett (Trussville, District 44)
House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Chair – Rep. Rex Reynolds (Huntsville, District 21)
House Rules Committee Chair – Rep. Joe Lovvorn (Auburn, District 79)
Republican Majority Leader – Rep. Scott Stadthagen (Hartselle, District 9)
Democratic Minority Leader – Rep. Anthony Daniels (Huntsville, District 53)
Influencing the process
Remember, you have power to influence your legislators in the policymaking process. The most important thing you can do to influence the process effectively is to know the names of your representative and senator and how to contact them. You can find that information at the Legislature’s website at alison.legislature.state.al.us or the Arise website at alarise.org.
Now that you have information about the process, let’s look at specific points in the process where you have influence and what you can do.
Before a bill is introduced
Be informed about issues that are important to your group or community.
Work with organizations that research issues and recommend policy changes.
Talk to your legislators about introducing bills on issues important to your group or community.
Write letters to your local newspaper or other news outlets concerning issues that are important to your group or community.
When a bill is in committee
Contact committee members and ask them to support, reject or amend (change) the bill – especially if your legislator serves on the committee.
Ask others to contact committee members.
Find out about and attend public hearings.
Testify for or against the bill. Arise can help line up people to show support or opposition.
When the bill is being debated on the floor
Ask your legislators to support, reject or amend it.
Ask family and friends to contact their legislators about the bill.
Write letters to your local newspaper or other news outlets about the bill.
When a bill awaits the Governor’s signature
Call or write, urging the Governor to sign or veto.
Ask family and friends to contact the Governor.
Optimizing your influence
As you reach out to influence your legislators in the process, here are some additional things to remember.
Extend relationship building to legislators’ staff members. Some legislators have regional delegation offices. Get to know administrative support folks there, too.
When you learn about legislators’ concerns, frame your message in a way that speaks to their concerns.
Be simple, clear and brief when stating your issue. Express your specific concern and what you want your legislators to do to help.
Bring different voices to your cause. Show your legislators that others are concerned about the same issue as well.
Thank them for their time, and remember: Today’s adversary may be tomorrow’s advocate.
How to contact your legislators
You can call, write or meet with your legislators in person. Arise’s Legislative Days are great, but it’s even better to contact them in their home districts. To contact your legislators at the State House in Montgomery, call 334-261-0500 (House) or 334-261-0800 (Senate). You can find more contact information at alison.legislature.state.al.us.
Here are some tips for contacting your legislators:
Make a call. Before contacting your legislator by phone, prepare for the call. Here’s how you can create an informal “script” to guide your call:
Give your name and where you live and indicate you are a registered voter in that district.
Identify the general reason for your call – for example, “I’d like to talk with you about Medicaid.”
Mention that you’re a member of Arise and that our members are interested in the issue. (To the legislator, this means voters!)
Refer to a specific piece of legislation, if there is one, including the bill number.
Make it personal. Tell a brief story or say why it matters to you.
Ask them to vote for or against the bill and at when (in committee, on the floor, etc.).
Thank them in advance.
If you get a legislator’s secretary or voicemail, that’s OK. Your message still will get through to the legislator.
Write a letter or email. Most legislators read their mail. You can write to any legislator at this address: Alabama State House, 11 South Union Street, Montgomery, AL 36130. Remember:
Use your own words. Form letters are easy to recognize and are less effective than personal statements.
Both handwritten and typed letters are fine.
Include the same information you would cover in a phone call, as noted above.
Limit your letter to one page in most cases. Shorter is better.
Put letter writing on your group’s agenda. Keep paper, envelopes, pens, stamps and addresses handy.
Many legislators also use email, and many legislative web pages list an address.
Be sure your subject line is simple and informative so it won’t resemble junk mail.
Follow your legislators on Twitter/X or contact them via Facebook or other social media platforms if these options are available.
Make face-to-face contact. Legislators like to talk to voters. Make it a point to greet them when you see them in public.
It’s good to meet with them to introduce your group as active constituents.
Invite them to your meeting – but remember how busy they are.
Praise them when they deserve it, and respectfully disapprove when they don’t.
Participate in the Arise Legislative Day. Amplify your voice by joining others from around the state and attend the annual Arise Legislative Day. Hundreds of constituents come together at the State House to visit legislators and speak up about Arise’s legislative priorities during this event. If you want to visit the State House on your own, contact the Arise office and we can help you plan your visit.
Visiting the Alabama State House
The State House is located at 11 South Union Street, Montgomery, AL 36130. Here are tips to help get the most out of your visit.
Everyone must go through the front door of the State House and through the metal detector. Your personal belongings, such as a purse, wallet, cell phone, coins and anything metal, must be placed on the conveyor belt and X-rayed. Objects that are not allowed, such as knives, nail clippers, pepper spray, etc., will be confiscated.
The House of Representatives is on the 4th and 5th floors. Individual members’ offices are on the 4th and 5th floors. You may go by their office and leave notes or information. They may be on the House floor, and office doors may be locked. You can push information under their doors or tape it to their doors.
You can write a note to your representative if he or she is on the House floor. The note should be brief. Say you are with Alabama Arise, give your name and town, and ask that they come out and speak with you. Give the note to a page (young volunteer) at the front desk located on the 5th floor. You may be allowed to stay on the 5th floor behind the ropes or be asked to wait on the 6th floor.
The House Gallery is on the 6th floor, and you are welcome to go there to watch the proceedings. There is also a big lobby outside the gallery where legislators may come meet with you if you sent them a note.
The Senate Chamber and the senators’ offices are on the 7th floor. If you go to the offices, please be mindful not to block the halls. If your senator is not in the office, you may leave a note and information with the secretary.
If your senator is on the Senate floor, you may write a note asking him or her to come out and speak to you. Give the note to a page at the end of the lobby near the entrance to the chamber. Wait behind the roped-off walkway, and if possible, your senator will come out to speak with you.
To observe the Senate, you must go to the 8th floor either by the steps or by a small elevator at the left side of the Senate lobby. Use the steps if possible.
Stay engaged
Ideally, this toolkit will help you plan your advocacy strategy and be better prepared to move beyond voting to embrace your role in shaping public policy. We want to ensure that you have the information and resources you need to continue your engagement for the rest of the 2025 legislative session and beyond.
If you are a member of Alabama Arise, you will continue to receive regular updates related to our legislative priorities. You also can keep track of our bills by visiting the Arise website at alarise.org and clicking “Bills of Interest” under the “Get Involved” tab.
If you want to see live and recorded video footage of legislative meetings, visit the Alabama Channel’s website at thealabamachannel.org. It’s a simple, searchable video database that lets you find exact moments when bills or issues of interest were discussed in the Legislature.
Please visit our website at alarise.org or call us at 334-832-9060 to learn more about Arise membership and ways to stay involved. Thank you for your support. Together, we will continue working to build a better Alabama for all!
“Para mejorar la salud materna, debemos concentrarnos en mejorar la salud y el acceso a la atención de todas las mujeres; no solo durante el trabajo de parto y el nacimiento, sino también antes y después del embarazo, y durante toda nuestra vida”. – Dra. Leana S. Wen
¡Le damos la bienvenida al Kit de herramientas de salud materna de Alabama! Alabama Arise creó este recurso con una meta principal: darle apoyo y empoderarle para orientarse en las complejidades de la atención de salud materna en Alabama. Ya sea usted una mamá nueva, una embarazada o un/a defensor/a de intereses de salud, este kit de herramientas está diseñado para brindarle información esencial sobre salud materna, cobertura de Medicaid, acceso a la atención médica y recursos comunitarios.
Esperamos que esta guía le ayude a entender las opciones disponibles de atención médica y le dé la confianza que necesita para tomar los próximos pasos en asegurar y mantener la atención necesaria. Tenemos el compromiso de mejorar los resultados de salud materna y apoyar a las familias en todo el estado. Estamos aquí para guiarle en cada paso del proceso.
Le animamos a compartir este kit de herramientas con otros a quienes pueda beneficiar. Juntos, podemos construir un futuro más sano para las madres de Alabama y sus familias.
Trasfondo
La salud materna en Alabama enfrenta grandes desafíos. Alabama tiene una de las tasas más altas de mortalidad materna y nacimientos pretérmino en Estados Unidos. El acceso limitado a atención médica integral empeora estas disparidades, en especial para mujeres en comunidades desatendidas y rurales. Medicaid tiene un papel crucial para tratar estas brechas al cubrir más de la mitad de los nacimientos en Alabama. Sin embargo, a muchas mujeres les sigue faltando la atención continuada que necesitan.
Estadísticas clave
Alabama tiene la tercera tasa más alta de mortalidad materna en la nación.
Medicaid cubre uno de cada dos nacimientos en Alabama.
Las mujeres negras tienen el triple de probabilidades de morir por complicaciones de embarazo.
Acceso a la salud materna en Alabama
Alabama tiene una de las tasas más altas de desiertos de atención de maternidad en Estados Unidos. Estas son zonas donde el acceso a la atención materna es limitado o nulo. Así, muchas mujeres en zonas rurales no tienen acceso a los servicios de obstetricia necesarios. El continuo cierre de alas de maternidad, de modo específico en zonas rurales, limita aún más el acceso a atención prenatal, partos seguros y servicios de posparto.
Estadísticas
16 de los 55 condados de Alabama considerados rurales tienen hoy hospitales que brindan servicios de obstetricia, en comparación con 45 de los 55 condados en 1980.
Las mujeres de Alabama viajan, en promedio, 17.4 millas y 23.5 minutos a su hospital de nacimientos más cercano.
Los hospitales cierran o reducen servicios debido a dificultades financieras. Esta situación es peor por la falta de expansión de Medicaid de Alabama.
8.9% de los nacimientos en todo Alabama ocurren en desiertos de atención de maternidad.
Beneficios y cobertura de Medicaid
Medicaid ofrece una gama integral de servicios para apoyar la salud materna antes de la concepción, durante el embarazo y en el periodo de posparto.
Antes de la concepción
Programa Plan First
El programa Plan First de Medicaid ofrece servicios de planificación familiar a mujeres de 19 a 55 años en Alabama. Para las mujeres, el programa incluye cobertura para pruebas esenciales, métodos anticonceptivos y ayuda para planificar.
SERVICIOS CUBIERTOS POR PLAN FIRST DE MEDICAID
Examen anual de planificación familiar
Acceso a métodos anticonceptivos (entre otros, píldoras, DIUs, diafragmas, inyecciones e implantes)
Ligadura de trompas (y vasectomías para hombres)
Análisis de laboratorio para embarazos
Pruebas para infecciones de transmisión sexual
Ayuda para planificar cuándo tener un bebé
Cesación de tabaquismo
Embarazo
La cobertura de salud durante el embarazo asegura el acceso a atención prenatal, que es crucial para monitorear la salud tanto de la madre como del bebé.
SERVICIOS CUBIERTOS POR MEDICAID
Chequeos prenatales habituales
Vitaminas prenatales
Pruebas de diagnóstico, como ultrasonidos
Educación de salud (como clases de preparación para el parto)
Servicios dentales
Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) (Consulte la página 13 para más información)
Servicios de coordinación de atención de Alabama Coordinated Health Network (ACHN) (Las pacientes deben registrarse en una ACHN antes de programar su primera cita prenatal)
Posparto
La atención posparto es esencial tanto para la madre como para el bebé. Una cobertura extendida después del nacimiento ayuda a asegurar una buena recuperación, apoyo de salud mental y acceso a la atención infantil necesaria. La cobertura posparto está disponible durante un año entero después del nacimiento o la pérdida del embarazo.
SERVICIOS CUBIERTOS POR MEDICAID
Chequeos posparto
Asesoría de salud mental para tratar la depresión posparto y otros problemas
Servicios de planificación familiar para ayudar a espaciar los nacimientos
Servicios dentales (hasta los 60 días después del nacimiento)
Atención infantil, que incluye vacunas, chequeos habituales y pruebas de desarrollo
Inscripción en Maternidad de Medicaid
No hay un periodo de inscripción abierta para Maternidad de Medicaid. Se puede solicitar e inscribirse en cualquier momento.
La cobertura de Medicaid se puede usar junto con la cobertura de un seguro privado. Si una mujer tiene un plan de seguro privado que no es del Marketplace, también puede inscribirse en Maternidad de Medicaid si cumple con los criterios de ingresos y elegibilidad. Un niño que nace de una mujer inscripta en Medicaid al momento del nacimiento es elegible para lo que se conoce como “cobertura considerada de recién nacido”. Se trata de cobertura que comienza con el nacimiento y dura un año, sin importar los cambios en el ingreso del hogar durante ese tiempo.
¿Cómo pueden recibir cobertura las mamás de Alabama?
Medicaid es un recurso vital para las mujeres embarazadas y nuevas madres en Alabama. Entender cómo cumplir los requisitos e inscribirse en Medicaid es esencial para asegurar acceso a atención médica durante el embarazo y después del nacimiento.
Criterios de elegibilidad
Edad
Las mujeres embarazadas de Alabama de cualquier edad pueden recibir cobertura completa de Medicaid si cumplen con todos los requisitos. Las mujeres embarazadas menores de 19 años también pueden recibir cobertura completa si se tiene en cuenta el ingreso de sus padres y si cumplen con las pautas de ingreso como niña.
Ingresos
El límite de ingresos del hogar para mujeres embarazadas es el 146 % del nivel federal de pobreza (sigla en inglés, FPL). Más información en la página 10.
Ciudadanía
Las mujeres embarazadas deben ser ciudadanas de Estados Unidos o tener un estado inmigratorio satisfactorio para poder inscribirse.
Residencia
Las mujeres embarazadas deben residir en Alabama para recibir beneficios de Medicaid de Alabama.
Ayuda con la elegibilidad
Pautas de ingreso de 2024
El tamaño del hogar incluye a la mujer embarazada y al niño por nacer. También puede incluir al esposo, padre y/u otros niños menores de 19 años. Esto depende de quién viva en el hogar y cómo se haga la declaración de impuestos.
Elegibilidad económica
La elegibilidad económica de Medicaid se basa en el ingreso bruto ajustado modificado (sigla en inglés MAGI), que comienza con el ingreso bruto ajustado (sigla en inglés, AGI) de una persona. El AGI es el ingreso total que se obtiene en un año después de ciertas deducciones como contribuciones de jubilación o interés de préstamos universitarios. Para determinar el MAGI, la solicitante debe agregar al AGI ingreso extranjero sin impuestos, beneficios exentos de impuestos de Seguridad Social o interés exento de impuestos (si hay). Para muchas solicitantes, el AGI y el MAGI son iguales. Para Medicaid, los ingresos del hogar se calculan sumando el MAGI de cada persona en el hogar, ya sea que presenten o no una declaración de impuestos.
Ejemplos de documentación
Verificación de ingresos
Talones recientes de pago
Declaraciones de impuestos
Estados de cuenta de seguro por desempleo o beneficios de Seguridad Social
Prueba de identidad y ciudadanía
Licencia de conducir o identificación emitida por el estado
Certificado de nacimiento o pasaporte de Estados Unidos
Tarjeta de residencia permanente (Tarjeta verde o “Green Card”)
Confirmación del embarazo
Nota del médico/a o verificación de un profesional médico/a
Informe de ultrasonido
Proof of Alabama residency
Cuenta de servicios (electricidad, agua, gas)
Contrato de alquiler o hipoteca
Tarjeta de registro de votante
Pasos para inscribirse
Verificar elegibilidad
Asegúrese de que sus ingresos cumplan con los requisitos para el tamaño de su hogar (que incluye a usted, sus dependientes y su niño por nacer). Repase la lista de verificación de elegibilidad y la tabla de límites de ingresos en este kit de herramientas para confirmar la elegibilidad.
Reunir la documentación necesaria
Antes de presentar la solicitud, reúna la documentación necesaria:
Verificación de ingresos
Confirmación de embarazo
Prueba de identidad y ciudadanía
Prueba de residencia en Alabama
Presentar la solicitud
En línea
Solicite cobertura en línea en insurealabama.adph.state.al.us
Por correo
Descargue, llene y envíe por correo la solicitud de Medicaid a:
Medicaid, P.O. Box 5624
Montgomery, AL 36103-5624
Confirme y espere
Después de presentar la solicitud, debe recibir una carta de confirmación a las pocas semanas. Asegúrese de que toda su información sea correcta. Si no tiene noticias, haga seguimiento con la oficina de Medicaid para controlar el estado de su solicitud.
¿Necesita ayuda?
Llame a la línea de ayuda de Medicaid si necesita ayuda con el proceso de solicitud o para renovar su cobertura.
Línea de ayuda de Medicaid: 888-362-1504
Lunes a viernes de 8 a.m. a 4:30 p.m.
Cómo Alabama está mejorando los resultados
A pesar de las dificultades, numerosos programas e iniciativas en todo Alabama trabajan para mejorar los resultados de salud materna. Estos son algunos.
ALABAMA 211 CONNECTS
Alabama 211 es una línea de ayuda de todo el estado que conecta a los residentes con atención médica esencial, salud materna y servicios sociales. Sirve como recurso central para orientarse entre las opciones de apoyo local durante el embarazo y el periodo de posparto. Se puede llamar simplemente al 2-1-1 para acceder a una amplia gama de servicios.
ALABAMA MARCH OF DIMES
March of Dimes es una organización no lucrativa que respalda investigación, defensa de intereses y programas para mejorar la salud maternoinfantil. En Alabama, se centra en la prevención de defectos congénitos, nacimientos prematuros y disparidades de salud materna. Esta organización ofrece educación prenatal y apoyo para embarazadas, especialmente en comunidades vulnerables.
ALABAMA MATERNAL HEALTH TASK FORCE
La Alabama Maternal Health Task Force (ALMHTF) trabaja para abordar las dificultades estatales de salud materna al coordinar esfuerzos de varias partes interesadas. Tiene como meta mejorar los resultados de salud mediante la reducción de la mortalidad y morbilidad maternas a través de iniciativas de desarrollo de políticas, colaboración y mejora de la calidad de atención médica.
ALABAMA MATERNAL MORTALITY REVIEW COMMITTEE
El Alabama Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) investiga las muertes maternas en todo el estado para identificar la causa y determinar factores evitables. Al revisar estos casos, el comité da recomendaciones a profesionales médicos/as y creadores/as de políticas para mejorar la atención médica materna y reducir las tasas de mortalidad materna.
ALABAMA PERINATAL QUALITY COLLABORATIVE
La Alabama Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ALPQC) es una iniciativa de todo el estado que reúne a profesionales médicos/as, hospitales y expertos/as en salud pública para mejorar la calidad de la atención perinatal. Se centra en la reducción de la mortalidad infantil y las complicaciones de salud materna mediante la implementación de las mejores prácticas en atención médica.
BIRMINGHAM HEALTHY START PLUS
Birmingham Healthy Start Plus brinda servicios con base en la comunidad para reducir la mortalidad infantil y mejorar la salud materna en los vecindarios más desatendidos de Birmingham. El programa ofrece apoyo prenatal y posparto, educación y recursos para asegurar embarazos sanos y partos seguros para familias vulnerables.
BIRTHWELL PARTNERS
Birthwell Partners es una organización no lucrativa que capacita y brinda doulas para ayudar a mujeres, en particular en zonas desatendidas y rurales de Alabama. Sus servicios ayudan a mejorar los resultados de los nacimientos al ofrecer apoyo emocional, físico y de información durante todo el embarazo, el parto y la recuperación posparto.
COVER ALABAMA
La coalición Cover Alabama hace activismo para la expansión de la cobertura de Medicaid para asegurar que más residentes de Alabama, sobre todo las mujeres embarazadas y las familias, tengan acceso a atención médica asequible. La coalición busca reducir las tasas de mortalidad materna y mejorar la salud materno infantil en general presionando para cerrar la brecha de cobertura en Alabama.
GIFT OF LIFE FOUNDATION
La Gift of Life Foundation respalda la salud maternoinfantil ofreciendo educación prenatal, acceso a atención médica y servicios de intervención temprana. Sus programas están diseñados para reducir la mortalidad infantil y asegurar que las madres reciban atención integral durante y después del embarazo.
NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP
La Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) es un programa nacional que se implementa en Alabama para mejorar la salud maternoinfantil mediante la conexión de madres primerizas de bajos ingresos con enfermeros/as especialmente capacitados. Estos enfermeros/as brindan visitas a domicilio durante el embarazo y los primeros dos años de la vida del niño/a. Se centran en salud, destrezas de paternidad/maternidad y autosuficiencia económica.
PREGNANCY RISK ASSESSMENT MONITORING PROGRAM
Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring Program (PRAMS) es una iniciativa de los CDC en colaboración con el Departamento de Salud Pública de Alabama que busca recolectar datos sobre las actitudes y experiencias maternas antes, durante y después del embarazo. Esta información ayuda a dar forma a políticas y programas diseñados para mejorar los resultados de salud maternoinfantil en todo el estado.
Expansión de Medicaid
Alabama es uno de solo 10 estados que sigue sin expandir Medicaid. Esto deja a decenas de miles de mujeres en la brecha de cobertura. La expansión de Medicaid ayudaría a asegurar que más mujeres reciban atención médica antes, durante y después del embarazo, lo cual conduciría a bajar las tasas de mortalidad maternoinfantil.
Estadísticas
10 estados no han expandido Medicaid.
Casi 200,000 residentes de Alabama quedan dentro de la brecha de cobertura.
Los estados que sí han expandido Medicaid han visto menos muertes maternoinfantiles en comparación con estados sin expansión.
La expansión de Medicaid podría evitar más cierres de hospitales y aumentar el acceso a la atención materna en zonas rurales.
Estados
Alabama
Florida
Georgia
Kansas
Mississippi
Carolina del Sur
Tennessee
Texas
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Conclusión
Asegurar una mejor salud materna en Alabama es una tarea colectiva que requiere apoyo, acceso a atención y decisiones informadas de manera continua. El Kit de herramientas de salud materna de Alabama es un recurso diseñado para informar y guiar a mujeres, familias y profesionales médicos/as en el acceso a los recursos disponibles a través de Medicaid y otros programas de salud materna. Al asegurar que todas las madres tengan acceso a atención esencial prenatal, de parto y de posparto, podemos trabajar hacia la reducción de la mortalidad materna, abordando disparidades y mejorando la salud tanto de madres como de bebés en todo nuestro estado. Juntos, podemos dar a luz mejores resultados para las familias de todo Alabama.
Alabama Arise es una organización no lucrativa de todo el estado conducida por sus miembros. Se dedica a promover políticas públicas para mejorar la vida de los residentes de Alabama que están marginalizados por la pobreza. Entre los miembros de Arise se cuentan grupos religiosos, comunitarios, no lucrativos y cívicos, líderes de activismo de base y personas de todo el estado. Conozca más sobre Arise en alarise.org. Siga a @AlabamaArise enFacebook,Instagram yTwitter/X.
“To improve maternal health, we have to focus on improving all women’s health and access to care – not just during labor and delivery, but before and after pregnancy, and throughout our lives.” – Dr. Leana S. Wen
Welcome to The Alabama Maternal Health Toolkit! Alabama Arise created this resource with one primary goal: to support and empower you as you navigate the complexities of maternal health care in Alabama. Whether you’re a new mom, an expectant mother or a health care advocate, this toolkit is designed to provide you with critical information on maternal health, Medicaid coverage, health care access and community resources.
Our hope is that this guide will help you understand available health care options and provide the confidence you need to take the next steps in securing and maintaining necessary care. We are committed to improving maternal health outcomes and supporting families across our state. We’re here to help guide you through every step of the way.
We encourage you to share this toolkit with others who may benefit. Together, we can build a healthier future for all Alabama mothers and their families.
Background
Maternal health in Alabama faces serious challenges. Alabama has some of the highest rates of maternal mortality and preterm births in the United States. Limited access to comprehensive health care worsens these disparities, especially for women in underserved and rural communities. Medicaid plays a critical role in addressing thesegaps by covering more than half of all births in Alabama. However, many women still lack the continuous care they need.
Key statistics
Alabama has the third highest rate of maternal mortality in the nation.
1 in 2 births are covered by Medicaid in Alabama.
Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy complications.
Maternity care access in Alabama
Alabama has one of the United States’ highest rates of maternity care deserts, defined as areas where access to maternity care is limited or absent. This leaves many women in rural areas without access to necessary obstetrical services. The ongoing closure of maternity wards, specifically in rural areas, further limits access to prenatal care, safe deliveries and postpartum services.
Statistics
16 of the 55 Alabama counties considered rural have hospitals providing obstetrical services today, compared to 45 of the 55 counties in 1980.
On average, Alabama women travel 17.4 miles and 23.5 minutes to their nearest birthing hospital.
Hospitals are closing or reducing services due to financial strain. This is a situation worsened by Alabama’s lack of Medicaid expansion.
8.9% of all Alabama births occur in maternity care deserts.
Medicaid benefits and coverage
Medicaid offers a comprehensive range of services to support maternal health during preconception, pregnancy and postpartum periods.
Preconception
Plan First Program
The Medicaid Plan First Program offers family planning services to women ages 19 through 55 in Alabama. For women, the program includes coverage for essential exams, birth control and planning assistance.
SERVICES COVERED BY MEDICAID PLAN FIRST
Yearly family planning exam
Access to birth control (including pills, IUDs, diaphragms, shots and implants)
Tubal ligation (and vasectomies for men)
Lab work for pregnancy
Testing for sexually transmitted infections
Assistance in planning when to have a baby
Tobacco cessation
Pregnancy
Health coverage during pregnancy ensures access to prenatal care, which is critical for monitoring the health of both mother and baby.
SERVICES COVERED BY MEDICAID
Regular prenatal checkups
Prenatal vitamins
Diagnostic tests like ultrasounds
Health education (such as childbirth preparation classes)
Dental services
Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) services (See page 13 for more)
Alabama Coordinated Health Network (ACHN) care management services (Patients must register with an ACHN before scheduling their first prenatal appointment)
Postpartum
Postpartum care is essential for both mother and baby. Extended coverage after birth helps ensure proper recovery, mental health support and access to necessary infant care. Postpartum coverage is available for one full year after childbirth or pregnancy loss.
SERVICES COVERED BY MEDICAID
Postpartum checkups
Mental health counseling to address postpartum depression and other conditions
Family planning services to assist with birth spacing
Dental services (until 60 days after birth)
Infant care, including vaccinations, regular checkups and developmental screenings
Maternity Medicaid enrollment
There is no open enrollment period for Maternity Medicaid. People may apply and enroll at any time.
Medicaid coverage may be used alongside private insurance coverage. If a woman has a private, non-Marketplace insurance plan, she also may enroll in Maternity Medicaid if she meets the income and eligibility requirements. A child born to a woman enrolled in Medicaid at the time of the birth is eligible for what is known as “deemed newborn coverage.” This is coverage that begins at birth and lasts for one year, regardless of any changes in household income during that period.
How can Alabama moms get coverage?
Medicaid is a vital resource for pregnant women and new mothers in Alabama. Understanding how to qualify and enroll in Medicaid is essential for ensuring access to health care during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Eligibility criteria
Age
Pregnant Alabama women of any age can receive full Medicaid coverage if they meet all eligibility requirements. Pregnant women under age 19 also may receive full coverage if their parents’ income is counted and they meet the income guidelines for a child.
Income
The household income limit for pregnant women is 146% of the federal poverty level (FPL). See page 10 for more.
Citizenship
Pregnant women must be a U.S. citizen or have satisfactory immigration status to qualify.
Residency
Pregnant women must reside in Alabama to receive Alabama Medicaid benefits.
Eligibility help
2024 income guidelines
Household size includes the pregnant woman and the unborn child. It also may include the spouse, father and/or other children under age 19, depending on who is living in the home and how taxes are filed.
Financial eligibility
Medicaid financial eligibility is based on Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), which starts with a person’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). AGI is the total income earned in a year after certain deductions like retirement contributions or student loan interest. To determine MAGI, applicants should add untaxed foreign income, non-taxable Social Security benefits or tax-exempt interest (if any) to their AGI. For many applicants, AGI and MAGI are the same. For Medicaid, the household income is calculated by adding up the MAGI of each person in the household, whether they file taxes or not.
Documentation examples
Income verification
Recent pay stubs
Tax returns
Unemployment insurance or Social Security benefits statements
Proof of identity and citizenship
Driver’s license or state-issued ID card
U.S. birth certificate or passport
Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
Pregnancy confirmation
Doctor’s note or verification from a health care provider
Ultrasound report
Proof of Alabama residency
Utility bill (electricity, water, gas)
Lease agreement or mortgage statement
Voter registration card
Steps to enroll
Check eligibility
Be sure your income meets the requirements for your household size (which includes you, dependents and your unborn child). Review the eligibility checklist and income limits table in this toolkit to confirm eligibility.
Gather required documentation
Before applying, gather the required documentation:
Income verification
Pregnancy confirmation
Proof of identity and citizenship
Proof of Alabama residency
Apply
Online
Apply online at insurealabama.adph.state.al.us
By mail
Download, complete and mail the Medicaid application to:
Medicaid, P.O. Box 5624
Montgomery, AL 36103-5624
Confirm and wait
After applying, you should receive a confirmation letter within a few weeks. Be sure all your information is accurate. If you don’t hear back, follow up with the Medicaid office to check on your application status.
Need help?
Call the Medicaid helpline if you need assistance with the application process or renewing your coverage.
Medicaid helpline: 888-362-1504
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
How Alabama is improving outcomes
Despite the challenges, numerous programs and initiatives across Alabama are working to improve maternal health outcomes. Here are a few of them.
ALABAMA 211 CONNECTS
Alabama 211 is a statewide helpline that connects residents to essential health care, maternal health and social services. It acts as a central resource for navigating local support options during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Individuals can simply dial 2-1-1 to access a wide range of services.
ALABAMA MARCH OF DIMES
The March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization that supports research, advocacy and programs to improve maternal and infant health. In Alabama, it focuses on preventing birth defects, premature births and maternal health disparities. This organization offers prenatal education and support to expectant mothers, especially those in vulnerable communities.
ALABAMA MATERNAL HEALTH TASK FORCE
The Alabama Maternal Health Task Force (ALMHTF) works to address the state’s maternal health challenges by coordinating efforts across various stakeholders. Its goal is to improve health outcomes by reducing maternal mortality and morbidity through policy development, collaboration and health care quality improvement initiatives.
ALABAMA MATERNAL MORTALITY REVIEW COMMITTEE
The Alabama Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) investigates maternal deaths across the state to identify the causes and determine preventable factors. By reviewing these cases, the committee provides recommendations to health care providers and policymakers to improve maternal health care and reduce maternal mortality rates.
ALABAMA PERINATAL QUALITY COLLABORATIVE
The Alabama Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ALPQC) is a statewide initiative that brings together health care providers, hospitals and public health experts to improve the quality of perinatal care. Its focus is on reducing infant mortality and maternal health complications by implementing best practices in care delivery.
BIRMINGHAM HEALTHY START PLUS
Birmingham Healthy Start Plus provides community-based services to reduce infant mortality and improve maternal health in Birmingham’s most underserved neighborhoods. The program offers prenatal and postpartum support, education and resources to ensure healthy pregnancies and safe deliveries for vulnerable families.
BIRTHWELL PARTNERS
Birthwell Partners is a nonprofit organization that trains and provides doulas to support women, particularly in underserved and rural areas of Alabama. Their services help improve birth outcomes by offering emotional, physical and informational support throughout pregnancy, labor and postpartum recovery.
COVER ALABAMA
The Cover Alabama coalition advocates for the expansion of Medicaid coverage to ensure more Alabamians, especially pregnant women and families, have access to affordable health care. By pushing to close Alabama’s health coverage gap, the coalition aims to reduce maternal mortality rates and improve overall maternal and infant health.
GIFT OF LIFE FOUNDATION
The Gift of Life Foundation supports maternal and child health by offering prenatal education, health care access and early intervention services. Their programs are designed to reduce infant mortality and ensure that mothers receive comprehensive care during and after pregnancy.
NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP
The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is a national program implemented in Alabama to improve maternal and child health by connecting first-time, low-income mothers with specially trained nurses. These nurses provide home visits during pregnancy and the first two years of the child’s life, focusing on health, parenting skills and economic self-sufficiency.
PREGNANCY RISK ASSESSMENT MONITORING PROGRAM
Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring Program (PRAMS) is a CDC initiative in collaboration with the Alabama Department of Public Health, aimed at collecting data on maternal attitudes and experiences before, during and after pregnancy. This information helps shape policies and programs designed to improve maternal and infant health outcomes across the state.
Medicaid expansion
Alabama is one of only 10 states yet to expand Medicaid, leaving tens of thousands of women in the health coverage gap. Expanding Medicaid would help ensure that more women receive health care before, during and after pregnancy, leading to lower maternal and infant mortality rates.
Statistics
10 states have not expanded Medicaid
Nearly 200,000 Alabamians are caught in the health coverage gap
States that have expanded Medicaid have seen fewer maternal and infant deaths compared to non-expansion states.
Medicaid expansion could help prevent further hospital closures and increase access to maternal care in rural areas.
States
Alabama
Florida
Georgia
Kansas
Mississippi
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Conclusion
Ensuring better maternal health in Alabama is a collective effort that requires continuous support, access to care and well-informed decision-making. The Alabama Maternal Health Toolkit is a resource designed to help inform and guide women, families and health care providers in accessing the resources available through Medicaid and other maternal health programs. By ensuring every mother has access to essential prenatal, delivery and postpartum care, we can work toward reducing maternal mortality, addressing disparities and improving the health of both mothers and babies across our state. Together, we can strive to birth better outcomes for families across Alabama.
Alabama Arise is a statewide, member-led nonprofit organization advancing public policies to improve the lives of Alabamians who are marginalized by poverty. Arise’s membership includes faith-based, community, nonprofit and civic groups, grassroots leaders and individuals from across Alabama. Learn more about Arise at alarise.org. Follow @AlabamaArise on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter/X.
Life is changing quickly for everyone during the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. Protecting yourself and your family from the virus is the first of many concerns. The pandemic also has left many Alabamians worried about food, health care, housing, job security and other basic needs.
Alabama has a safety net of public assistance programs that can help people through hard times. And Alabama Arise wants to help people connect with the help they need. Use this guide to find services that may fit your needs now, even if you weren’t eligible before.
Response efforts are changing rapidly, so check back for updates to this resource guide as new information becomes available. Email info@alarise.org if you have any questions or recommendations for additional resources.
Below is a table of contents covered in this guide. Click on each topic to go to its corresponding section.
Know the major symptoms of COVID-19: cough, fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Other symptoms may include aches, chills, diarrhea, headache, severe vomiting, sore throat, tiredness or new loss of smell or taste.
If you experience these symptoms, call your doctor first to get advice on testing and care. Free testing is available at state testing sites. Charges may apply at other testing sites.
If you do not have a doctor, call the Alabama COVID-19 Hotline 24/7 at 888-264-2256 for testing sites and hours of operation near you. Note: This hotline does not provide medical advice.
If you are uninsured, you may be able to get free treatment for conditions related to COVID-19. The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes a $100 billion emergency fund for health care providers. “As a condition of receiving funds under this program, providers will be forbidden from balance billing the uninsured for the cost of their care,” the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced. Check with your local hospital or clinic about this.
Prolonged in-home isolation can mask incidents of family abuse and violence, especially toward children, seniors or people with disabilities. People who report abuse or neglect are protected from legal action in response to their reporting.
Members of certain professions are mandatory reporters, meaning they must report suspected or known abuse or neglect. These professions include chiropractors, clergy members, coroners, day care workers or employees, dentists, doctors, law enforcement officials, medical examiners, mental health professionals, nurses, optometrists, osteopaths, pharmacists, podiatrists, social workers and teachers and school officials.
– If you are experiencing domestic violence (that is, if someone in your family or someone you’re in a relationship with is hurting or threatening you), call the Alabama domestic violence hotline at 800-650-6522. This hotline is answered 24/7, and you do not have to give your name to get help.
– To report suspected child abuse or neglect, including failure to seek medical treatment, call your county Department of Human Resources or local law enforcement. Do not email reports of suspected abuse or neglect, as they may not get prompt attention.
– To report elder abuse, call the Adult Abuse Hotline at 800-458-7214.
– To report abuse in an assisted living facility or nursing home, call 800-356-9596.
Other contact numbers to know
– If you need legal help anywhere in Alabama to protect your right to disability services, call the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) at 205-348-4928 or use the online intake form here.
– If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can call the sexual assault hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673). You will be connected with a trained sexual assault service provider in your area.
– If you are experiencing homelessness and need shelter, call 2-1-1 and ask for a list of shelters in your area.
– If you need legal help for a problem related to COVID-19, call Legal Services Alabama at 877-393-2333 or click here.
– To report COVID-19-related price gouging or scams, contact these hotlines:
The Alabama Attorney General’s Consumer Complaint Hotline: 800-392-5658 or 334-242-7335 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday).
The National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline: 866-720-5721 or disaster@leo.gov.
Health care and insurance
The risk of COVID-19 exposure, complications and death varies widely by job, age and health condition. That’s why the new vaccines are being offered in phases, with those deemed at highest risk getting the first doses.
As of April 5, 2021, all Alabamians age 16 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Supply shortages have been a major obstacle in Alabama’s vaccination rollout, but new vaccine products and a manufacturing push are improving the outlook. For more information, visit alabamapublichealth.gov.
Important information about the COVID-19 vaccines
Here are some important things to know about the vaccines:
All approved vaccines have been through the full testing process for any U.S. vaccine. They’ve come out more quickly because testing and manufacturing were scaled up for the emergency.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine comes in one dose. The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines come in two doses, several weeks apart. If you get either of those, you will need to get the second dose of the same vaccine you got the first time. The person who gives you your vaccine will explain how to get your follow-up shot.
Your health care provider is your best source of information about the vaccine and how to get it. If you don’t have a regular provider, contact your county health department or a local clinic about how and when to get the vaccine.
The vaccine will be free to everyone. Some providers may charge an administrative fee. If you cannot pay the fee, tell your provider. You can still get the vaccine.
Lots of false information is circulating about the vaccines. Be sure to confirm anything you hear or read with information from a reliable source, such as your health care provider, your county health department or a local clinic.
Vaccines are being distributed as soon as they are available. Because the supply is limited at this stage, it’s important to follow official guidance on which phase is the one for you. In the meantime, continue taking precautions and be patient. Everyone will have the opportunity to get the vaccine.
COVID-19 puts people without health insurance at special risk for delayed care and financial disaster. Federal and state governments are making changes to help people who are uninsured or at risk of losing coverage.
COVID-19 care
If you are uninsured, you may be able to get free treatment for conditions related to COVID-19. The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes a $100 billion emergency fund for health care providers. “As a condition of receiving funds under this program, providers will be forbidden from balance billing the uninsured for the cost of their care,” the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced. Check with your local hospital or clinic about this.
Medicaid
Courtesy of Alabama Medicaid Agency
If you had Medicaid coverage of any kind during March 2020, or if you become eligible later, your coverage will not be terminated for any reason before the crisis has ended, unless you cancel it yourself or move out of Alabama. This includes postpartum coverage for women who recently have given birth. If your case was open in March but has already closed, please be patient. Medicaid will reopen your case very soon.
To help keep your Medicaid from ending after the emergency:
Report any information changes.
Renew your Medicaid at the scheduled time.
If you have Medicaid coverage, you do not have to pay co-pays to the hospital, doctor’s office, pharmacy or for medical equipment and supplies during the coronavirus emergency.
If you are younger than 65 and have lost your job, regular pay or hours in the coronavirus emergency, you have a few options. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) passed by Congress in March provides new assistance with health coverage:
Through Sept. 30, 2021, people eligible for COBRA continuation coverage after loss of employer-based coverage won’t have to pay any premiums. Note: If you become eligible for a new group plan or Medicare while on COBRA, you must notify your insurer. Failure to do so will result in a cash penalty.
Depending on income level, premiums for Marketplace plans are reduced or eliminated for 2021 and 2022 under ARPA.
Find out if you and your family can get health insurance through Medicaid, ALL Kids or the Marketplace.
To explore your Marketplace coverage options, visit healthcare.gov or call 800-318-2596.
For enrollment assistance, call Enroll Alabama at 844-248-7698 or email enrollalabama@gmail.com.
Alabama has 17 community health centers, with more than 165 locations across the state, that provide comprehensive primary care and preventive services on a sliding fee scale, regardless of patients’ insurance status. Services include:
COVID-19 vaccination
COVID-19 testing
General primary medical care
Diagnostic laboratory and radiology
Preventive screenings
Well check-ups
Dental services
Immunizations
OB-GYN care
Pharmaceutical services
Other services that vary by location (mental health care, optometry, substance use disorder treatment, etc.)
To find the nearest health center, visit Find My Health Center and enter your ZIP code. Or call the Alabama Primary Health Care Association at 888-322-7068 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some details of operation are changing because of COVID-19, so call your local center before visiting.
Financial assistance for COVID-related funeral expenses
Thousands of Alabama families have lost loved ones to COVID-19. One of the hidden burdens of the pandemic is the cost of funerals. FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, offers financial assistance for COVID-related funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020.
Call this dedicated toll-free phone number to get a COVID-19 Funeral Assistance application completed with help from FEMA’s representatives. Multilingual services are available:
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number
844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time
Get answers to frequently asked questions about the application process on FEMA’s Funeral Assistance FAQ page
Living with disabilities and mental illness
If you or someone you know lives with a disability or mental illness and needs help during the COVID-19 crisis, use this guide from Disability Rights and Resources to find relevant resources by topic and location.
If you need legal help anywhere in Alabama to protect your right to disability services, call the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) at 205-348-4928 or use the online intake form here.
Alabama has a network of nonprofit food banks that collect, store and distribute groceries to food pantries, where families can get free food directly. To learn more about food assistance in your area and find a local food pantry, check out the Auburn Justice Center’s food pantry map. Or contact the food bank nearest you:
Alabama’s food banks also operate the Senior Box Program, which provides USDA-donated foods to eligible seniors through a monthly food package. Seniors must be 60 years of age or older and have a household income at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. To apply to receive a Senior Box, a person should call the food bank that serves their area.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Alabama provides federal food assistance through SNAP (formerly known as food stamps). Monthly SNAP benefits help eligible households with low incomes buy the food they need to maintain good health. Loss of income in the COVID-19 crisis has made many more families eligible for SNAP.
In response, Congress has increased SNAP benefits for eligible families in three important ways. First, families who would normally receive less than the maximum SNAP benefit because of their income had their benefits increased to the maximum benefit for their household size. Second, all SNAP recipients now receive an additional 15% in SNAP assistance. Third, households that did not receive increased benefits because they were already receiving the maximum for their household size became eligible for an additional emergency allocation beginning in April 2021.
Emergency benefits may be distributed on a different day than regular benefits for administrative reasons. Alabama must request emergency benefits on a monthly basis, but this is done routinely. During the pandemic emergency, the extra benefits are expected to continue without interruption.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a supplemental nutrition program for pregnant or breastfeeding women; women who had a baby within the last six months; infants; and children under age 5. To receive WIC benefits in Alabama, an individual or family must meet all of these requirements:
Have a nutritional risk that healthier food could improve.
If you think you may qualify, call your county health department to make an appointment, or call 888-942-4673 for further information. The Alabama WIC Program offers free communication assistance at each clinic location. During the coronavirus emergency, the health department is conducting interviews and nutrition assessments by phone.
If you or your children are approved for WIC, you will be prescribed a specific package of food based on your nutritional assessment. You will receive a debit-like card called an EBT (electronic benefits transfer) card that you can use to purchase food from your personalized food package. Learn more about WIC food options here. Your options will be based on your age and need. Not everyone approved for WIC will be able to get every food item on the list. During the coronavirus emergency, the Department of Public Health is allowing some substitutions if not all the food in your package is available in the grocery store. Your grocer can help you figure out what you can substitute for a WIC food that is unavailable. Congress has also increased the WIC benefit for fruits and vegetables by up to $35 per month for each recipient.
School meals and extension of Summer Food Service Program
The 2020-21 school year began with many uncertainties for classrooms and school cafeterias. Despite detailed USDA guidelines for distributing school meals, child nutrition staff grappled with implementing practical methods to serve meals to incoming students. While some districts opted for on-site learning plans and specified food service procedures, most relied on virtual learning curriculums and grab-and-go meals for remote learners.
Parents and child nutrition staff received relief when Congress extended the Summer Food Service Program through the 2020-21 school year. Extending this program ensures that all school-age children receive school meals at no charge to parents. Elevated COVID-19 rates have forced some school districts to convert to remote or hybrid learning methods and accompanying grab-and-go meal options. Plans continue to vary from district to district and are likely to change in response to local conditions and experiences. To get updates on your school’s nutrition plan, contact your local board of education.
When schools were closed or went to hybrid schedules, millions of children lost access to school meals. In response, Congress created a special program called Pandemic EBT (P-EBT). P-EBT provides children normally eligible for free or reduced priced meals with the same benefits as the National School Lunch Program ($6.82 a day for each child not receiving meals at school, prorated for children attending school on a hybrid schedule). These benefits are delivered to each individual child on a debit-like card issued by the Food Assistance Division of the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR). Estimates are that more than half a million Alabama children will receive P-EBT for the 2020-21 school year.
No application is required to receive P-EBT benefits. The Alabama State Department of Education will provide eligible children’s information to the Alabama Department of Human Resources. Families who experience a decrease in income may apply for free or reduced-price meals at their child’s school to become eligible for P-EBT.
Each eligible school-aged child will receive a debit-like card on which their benefits will be loaded. Parents should maintain those cards so that they can receive a second round of assistance. P-EBT benefits will remain active and usable for 365 days from the date issued.
Details on P-EBT allotments
The first round of P-EBT will be sent to eligible children by mid-July 2021 and will be retroactive to August 2020. These P-EBT benefits will be issued in two allotments: one covering August to December 2020, and the second covering January to May 2021. The amount of each child’s benefit will be based on whether the child’s assigned school schedule is (1) mostly virtual, (2) mostly in-person or (3) hybrid.
Children attending a mostly virtual school will receive the equivalent of 18 days of benefits for each month that the school operated under a virtual learning plan 50% of the school year. Children attending a hybrid school will receive the equivalent of nine days of benefits for each month that the school operated under a hybrid learning plan. Those children attending a mostly in-person school are not eligible for P-EBT during any month when the school operated mostly in-person. Children whose parents elected to have them attend school virtually will be eligible for the full allotment.
P-EBT card distribution is scheduled to begin in mid-June, but because so many children are eligible to receive a card, it will take until mid-July before all cards are mailed and received by eligible families. DHR’s toll-free customer service hotline for P-EBT questions is 800-410-5827. Parents are encouraged to wait until mid-July to call the hotline about the status of their cards because many cards still will be in the mail before that date. The hotline is available from 7 a.m to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Parents who want to ensure their children’s cards are sent to the right address should check the address on file with their school(s). Parents can correct addresses by calling the hotline after July 15 when the first round of cards has been mailed out.
Further background on P-EBT eligibility
In October, Congress expanded P-EBT to include children under 6 living in a household receiving SNAP food assistance and in a county in which at least one school has operated virtually or in a hybrid model. If at least one school in the county was completely virtual, eligible young children in that county will receive the full P-EBT benefit. If no school in the county was virtual but at least one school in the county had a hybrid model, eligible young children will receive the prorated benefit.
P-EBT for eligible children under 6 will be retroactive to October 2020, when the law creating the benefit was passed, and will be received in two payments later in the summer of 2021. These benefits will be added to the household’s current SNAP EBT card.
Senior nutrition programs
Alabama provides prepared meals for eligible seniors through several programs, some of which have changed their operation during the emergency. Any Alabamian aged 60 or over, or married to someone in that age group, is eligible. People with disabilities who live with an eligible participant or in a living community where the senior nutrition program operates are also eligible.
Meals on Wheels continues to operate in all regions, though some programs have suspended hot meal delivery because of reduced volunteer capacity and other factors. Alabama has received emergency funding to enroll new participants in Meal on Wheels during the pandemic. Click here for a list of Senior Meals Distribution Centers near you.
Beginning April 19, 2021, Senior Centers are allowed to reopen, at their option, but not for on-site serving of congregate meals. Centers that do reopen can allow clients to pick up meals or receive meals through home delivery. Participants in on-site Senior Center activities may also be provided a take-out meal when they leave the Center.
To find out more about senior nutrition programs and Senior Centers near you, contact your regional Area Agency on Aging. (See the list and contact info below.) Office closures and other challenges may require you to leave a message.
The state has stopped penalizing employers for higher employee use of UI benefits. If you’re laid off, make sure your employer knows its UI costs won’t rise if you file a claim. This removes the incentive to dispute it.
Alabama provides 14 to 20 weeks of basic UI compensation. Five more weeks are available for people in job training programs, which face an uncertain status during the pandemic.
Compensation ranges from $45 to $275 weekly.
Payments equal 1/26 of the wages you earned in the two highest quarters, up to the weekly limit of $275.
The federal government provides a $300 weekly supplement to Alabama UI claims through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). You do not need to file any additional paperwork beyond your UI claim to receive the federal supplement.
If you lose your job or hours and need to file or reopen a claim, follow the steps here or call 866-234-5382 (select option 2). Note: Filing a claim requires patience. The website is complicated, and current call volume is high.
Some people in the labor force do not qualify for traditional unemployment insurance (UI) compensation. But many will be covered under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act’s provision for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. You are federally eligible for PUA if you are ineligible for regular UI compensation and you are out of work or have lost working hours because of COVID-19.
This provision applies to:
Independent contractors who have not participated in the UI system.
Workers who have not earned enough wages to get UI benefits.
Workers who earned wages in too few quarters to qualify for UI benefits.
“Gig workers,” such as rideshare drivers, online sellers and pet-sitters.
The process for filing for PUA is the same as filing a UI claim. ARPA extended PUA eligibility through September 6, 2021.
Eligible people who missed a filing deadline or did not receive the full amount to which they were entitled still can receive the full amount of their relief payments. If this applies to you, claim the Recovery Rebate Credit when filing federal income taxes for the 2020 filing year. The deadline for 2020 returns is May 15, 2021.
If you’re eligible and have a bank account, your payment will be sent there. If you don’t have a bank account, the IRS will send a check or prepaid debit card. Direct deposits usually arrive within one to two weeks if there are no errors in the information provided. Checks and prepaid debit cards often take longer.
Stimulus payments for people who didn’t receive them automatically
The CARES Act created Economic Impact Payments of $1,200 for each eligible adult and $500 for each eligible child. A second round of relief payments of $600 per adult went out early in 2021. And the American Rescue Plan Act, passed in March 2021, will provide $1,400 payments for most Americans. Not everyone who is eligible for these relief payments have received them because they may not earn enough to owe federal taxes and, therefore, don’t file federal income tax returns. Others don’t receive Social Security, veterans’ benefits or other direct federal payments and therefore did not receive relief payments through those agencies.
To receive relief payments, the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit described below, you must file a federal income tax return even if you don’t owe any federal taxes. Information on where you can get help filing income taxes is below.
You must have a Social Security number to receive the payments. But unlike with the first two rounds of relief payments, families with mixed immigration status are eligible for the third round. Anyone who has a Social Security number and is otherwise income-eligible can receive the payment. Children with Social Security numbers can get the payment even if both parents file their taxes with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers.
Eligible people who missed a filing deadline or did not receive the full amount to which they were entitled still can receive relief payments. If this applies to you, claim the Recovery Rebate Credit when filing federal income taxes for the 2020 filing year. Click here to find out how to make a claim if you have not received your first or second relief payment. If you’re eligible and have a bank account, your payment will go there. If you don’t have a bank account, the IRS will send a check or prepaid debit card.
Relief payments will not count toward eligibility for means-tested programs like Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and public housing.
Important new changes to the Child Tax Credit
Prior to passage of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), some parents received a reduced child tax credit because their earnings — and the taxes they owed on them — were too low. ARPA changes this for one year (2021) by making the child tax credit fully refundable and, therefore, available for families with low earnings or no earnings. It also increases the credit’s maximum amount to $3,600 for children under age 6 and $3,000 for children through age 17.
To receive the child tax credit, parents can file income taxes even if they have too little income to owe taxes orthey can complete the IRS’s Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-up Tool if they don’t owe federal taxes and don’t intend to file a tax return. If a person has not received the full amount of the first or second Economic Impact Payment (stimulus), the same form can be used to claim these payments from the IRS.
Important changes to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The EITC helps low-income, working families with children but has been much less helpful for taxpayers who do not have children in the home. The American Rescue Act changed this by raising the maximum EITC for workers without children to approximately $1,500. It also raises the income cap for adults without children to at least $21,000 and cover working, non-student adults between 19 and 24 and above 65. The expansion of the EITC can provide extra income for working people without children, even if their incomes are too low for them to owe taxes.
Where to get help filing taxes
To receive your relief payment, the EITC and the Child Tax Credit, you will need to file your 2021 federal taxes even if you don’t have enough income to owe any taxes. The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program (TCE) both offer free help filing your taxes and claiming the tax credits and payments for which you qualify. You can find a VITA site near you here. The AARP Foundation offers both in-person and remote tax filing assistance for anyone, but with a special focus on older and low-income taxpayers.
Help paying for internet and computers
During the pandemic emergency, access to reliable internet has become a necessity for work and for school. Families that are struggling to afford internet services can apply for the federal Emergency Broadband Benefit. This benefit provides a discount up to $50 per month for internet service and a one-time discount of up to $100 for the purchase of a computer or tablet from participating providers.
To be eligible, a family has to have an income below 135% of poverty or receive SNAP, Medicaid or other means-tested benefits or be approved to receive free or reduced-price school meals (including through Community Eligibility) or receive a Pell Grant or have experienced a substantial loss of income during the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more, to see if your internet provider participates in the program and to apply, visit the FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit page.
Help for small and minority farmers
Black, Hispanic and Native American farmers have long suffered discrimination receiving USDA loans and grants. In an effort to begin reparations for this history, the American Rescue Plan included $4 billion in debt relief for Black, Indigenous and people of color farmers who have Farm Services Association loans. To learn more and find out how to apply for this funding, click here.
Help for small businesses
While the Paycheck Protection Program which provided forgivable loans for small businesses has ended, the American Rescue Plan includes several sources of new relief for small businesses, particularly restaurants and entertainment venues. To find out more about these new sources of business assistance click here.
Housing and utilities assistance
Federal and state governments have taken numerous steps to protect people from loss of housing and essential utilities during the COVID-19 emergency.
Eviction moratorium
On Aug. 26, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an unsigned opinion vacating the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) placed a moratorium on evictions for most Americans. This leaves Alabamians without any protections against eviction for inability to pay rent because Gov. Kay Ivey lifted state-level eviction protections June 1, 2020.
Emergency rental assistance funds are being disbursed through several agencies in the state. Check the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s website to determine which agency you should contact to apply for rental assistance in your area. Landlords also can apply for assistance through this program. Having both landlords and tenants apply will help funds be distributed to applicants more quickly. While disbursements have been slow through most of the state, the pace of application processing has increased since July. Applying as soon as you have trouble making rent also will help your application to be processed sooner.
If you have received a notice to vacate, contact Legal Services Alabama immediately at 866-456-4995 (English) or 888-835-3505 (Español). You do not have a legal obligation to move out of your home because of that notice. If you become homeless due to eviction or any other reason, call 2-1-1 for shelter referral and rapid rehousing assistance.
Housing assistance
You also can call 2-1-1 or visit 211connectsalabama.org if you need help paying rental deposits, first month’s rent or a mortgage payment. Ask for a referral to an agency that receives Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing funds. These funds can be used to prevent evictions, help cover the costs of a new rental or cover utility bills that may lead to loss of housing. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) has received $23 million for homelessness assistance and relief. Local nonprofit agencies have received these ADECA funds and can make rent and utility payments for people who are behind.
The Alabama Housing Financing Authority administers a separate fund of $263 million that can help with past due rent and utilities. To find out more and apply for assistance, call 833-620-2434 or click here.
Further, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) added $25 billion nationally to prior amounts appropriated for housing assistance. You may be eligible for assistance for rent, back rent, utility costs and past due utility costs. This provision allows up to 18 months of assistance for households potentially facing homelessness.
If your income is very low and you need help paying rent, the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) may be able to help with short-term assistance. You can find your local DHR office here.
If you are in an unstable housing situation, call the Low Income Housing Coalition of Alabama at 205-939-0411.
If your landlord changes locks or cuts off utilities to force you out, call Legal Services Alabama at 866-456-4995.
Keeping your electricity and water services active
No statewide process exists for utility assistance, but some utility payment assistance funds are available through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
If you need utility bill payment assistance through LIHEAP, contact the Community Action Agency (CAA) serving the county where you live. Find your local CAA here.
The Alabama Housing Financing Authority administers a separate fund of $263 million that can help with past due rent and utilities. To find out more and apply for assistance, call 833-620-2434 or click here.
If you are unable to pay your utility bills, call your utility provider and ask for a deferment.
Additional information
To find other assistance in your area, call the statewide helpline at 2-1-1. This number will connect you to your area’s information and referral system. You also can click here to search for local help online. 2-1-1 is available 24/7 by phone and online to help you find assistance with clothing, employment, food, health care, housing, legal problems and other needs from government and non-government agencies.
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More than 500,000 Alabama households live in rental housing. For a long time, there was no state law protecting the rights of renters. As of Jan. 1, 2007, it’s a different story. We now have the Alabama Landlord-Tenant Law to help make sure every rental house and apartment is a decent place to live.
This handbook, updated in 2020, tells you what’s in the landlord-tenant law, along with some basic information for renters. Download the full PDF here.
We’re all in this together. All of us – regardless of age, health, wealth, background or location – depend on a network of services from our local, state and national governments. From garbage collection to fire protection, from roads to schools, from public health to public safety, our tax dollars support the daily upkeep of our common good.
The 50 state governments are vital links in this network. It’s a solemn trust: Each state is responsible for ensuring the safety, general well-being and education of its people. And each state government carries out this responsibility in its own way.
As Alabamians, many of us studied our state government in fourth grade and learned a little more about it in other classes. But until we’re out making a living, paying taxes and voting, these lessons may seem disconnected from our everyday lives.
The Alabama Tax & Budget Handbook is designed to make that connection. The handbook breaks down state finances into basic functions that affect every taxpayer: What do our tax dollars pay for? How does state spending work? Where does the state get its money? It also looks at how those functions measure up – in relation to residents’ needs and abilities, as well as the performance of other states. And it offers ideas for making Alabama’s finances fairer, simpler, more adequate for meeting our needs, and more easily understood and visible to the public.
