A rule change designed to get able-bodied adults off food stamps has reduced the number of Alabamians receiving assistance by tens of thousands in the last year.

On Jan. 1, 2016, there were 49,940 able-bodied adults without dependents utilizing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP or food stamps. That number dropped to 15,375 people as of May 1, 2016 and down to 7,483 as of May 1, 2017, according to Barry Spear, Public Information Manager of the Alabama Department of Human Resources.

The change is due to the expiration of a federal waiver that permitted work requirement exemptions for able-bodied adults who were receiving food stamps. Now, all SNAP recipients ages 18-49 who aren't disabled or raising minor children are required to work at least part-time to be eligible for benefits.

Currently, able-bodied adult SNAP recipients are limited to three months of benefits within a three-year time frame unless they are working or participating in an approved training program for at least 20 hours a week. Some exemptions are available for those who are physically or mentally unable to work; are pregnant; are caring for someone who is physically or mentally disabled; is a student; or is participating in a drug or alcohol treatment program.

Previously 13 counties were exempt from the work requirements, due to high unemployment in Greene, Hale, Perry, Dallas, Lowndes, Wilcox, Monroe, Conecuh, Clarke, Washington, Choctaw, Sumter, and Barbour counties. As of Jan. 1, 2017, those counties are no longer covered by the exemption and the work requirements for receiving benefits is in place, according to DHR.

17 percent of Alabamians on food stamps

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 851,000 Alabamians - or roughly 17 percent of the state's population - received SNAP benefits in 2016. Of those 71 percent are families with children; 32 percent are in families with members who are elderly or have disabilities; and 40 percent are in working families.

The average monthly SNAP benefit for each household member was $123.

Update: Story was corrected June 2 at 10:39 a.m. to show work exemptions are no longer in place for 13 counties with high unemployment.