Congressional authorization that allowed Alabama to replace SNAP benefits lost to theft or fraud expired on Saturday, meaning the state can no longer process affidavits involving theft unless congress acts.

Under federal legislation, states have been allowed to use federal money to replace residents’ EBT funds lost to card skimming, card cloning and other fraud since Dec. 21, 2022, but the legislation set Dec. 20, 2024 as the end date of the provision.

“Therefore, the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) cannot process affidavits with thefts occurring on or after Saturday, December 21. Alabama DHR will continue to process affidavits of theft for incidents that occurred on or prior to December 20, 2024 from households impacted by EBT card skimming, cloning, and similar fraud,” the agency said Monday.

Scammers have stolen nearly $5 million in recent months from Alabama families who receive food stamps, according to DHR.

In November alone, DHR received nearly 14,000 requests from families seeking reimbursement for funds stolen by scammers.

Reports of theft prior to Dec. 21 have to be submitted to county DHR offices within 30 dates of a resident having discovered the fraud.

Locations and contact information for all 67 county DHR offices are available at dhr.alabama.gov/county-office-contact. The site also has more information on how to report fraud, ways to prevent benefit theft, and other tips.

All reports of skimming, cloning, or similar fraud will require confirmation verifying that all information reported in the request is true and correct, the agency noted.

EBT cardholders may be contacted about their claim, and those who purposefully give false information may be prosecuted, according to DHR.

Michigan will play in one week from today when the Wolverines travel down to Florida to take on Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The maize and blue will take on Bama for the second time in this calendar year and Michigan got the best of the Crimson Tide the first time the two teams played. The Wolverines got past Nick Sabana and Co. to win the Rose Bowl and move to the national title.

But both teams will look extremely different when the two square off in Tampa. Between bowl opt-outs, transfers, and losing so many seniors from the first time the two played — it’s hardly a glimpse of what we saw in January.

But before the game, here are some game notes thanks to M Go Blue.

• This will be the seventh meeting between Michigan and Alabama; series is tied at three wins apiece.

• U-M won the last matchup, a 27-20 victory in overtime in the 2024 CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl.

• Michigan is making its seventh appearance in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

• Kalel Mullings is 52 yards shy of 1,000 this season: rushed 185 times for 948 yards and scored 12 TDs. 

• Ernest Hausmann leads U-M with a career-best 82 tackles and 7 TFLs.

• Josaiah Stewart is pacing the defense in TFLs (13) and sacks (8.5).

• Dominic Zvada is the Big Ten’s most accurate kicker with a 94.4 percent conversion rate (17-18 on FGs).

• U-M has compiled a 23-29 record in bowl games, listing 11th in the NCAA in appear­ances and 17th in victories. 

• This will be the 19th time that Michigan faces a Southeastern Conference school in a bowl game.

• The Wolverines have a 9-9 mark against the SEC in bowl games.

• The most recent bowl match-up with the SEC came in the 2023 CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl, a 27-20 overtime victory over Alabama on New Year’s Day.

• Michigan is no stranger to the Southeastern Conference and will face an SEC school for the 41st time in school history.

• The Wolverines have a 26-13-1 all-time record against schools from the SEC.

– Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI –

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Sherrone Moore’s message to Davis Warren after signing Bryce Underwood, looking for portal QB

For additional coverage of University of Michigan athletics:

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WALA) – A two-vehicle crash on Alabama 59 near Baldwin County 34 has closed down the road, according to law enforcement.

Authorities said the crash occurred at 8:23 pm.

Law enforcement is on scene investigating and there is no timetable on when it will be reopened.

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