Tens of thousands of Alabamians receiving food stamps will be cut off from the benefits in April as new work requirements go into effect.

Barry Spears of the Alabama Department of Human Resources said his department has sent out 32,672 notices to Alabamians that face losing benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps. Spears said the department won't know the total numbers taken off the SNAP rolls until next month and that some letters went to home with multiple recipients.

Recipients were notified of the possible loss of benefits in December and following months.

The change comes following the expiration of a federal waiver that allowed some states, including Alabama, to grant recession-related exemptions to work requirements for SNAP recipients. Starting Jan. 1, all able-bodied unemployed adults ages 18-49 who aren't disabled or raising minor children have to work at least part time in order to maintain their benefits. The change limits recipients to three months of benefits within a 3-year time unless they are working or participating in a training program for at least 20 hours a week.

For able-bodied adults receiving food stamps as of Jan. 1, the benefits expired April 1.

There are exceptions for those who are physically or mentally unable to work; are pregnant; are the parent or other household member with responsibility for a dependent child under age 18 or someone who is physically or mentally disabled; is caring for an incapacitated person; is a student at least half-time in a school or training program; or is participating in an alcohol/drug treatment program.

In Alabama, the average recipient affected by the change would lose about $194 in assistance. The work requirement is not in place in 13 Alabama counties - Greene, Hale, Perry, Dallas, Lowndes, Wilcox, Monroe, Conecuh, Clarke, Washington, Choctaw, Sumter, and Barbour - due to the high unemployment rate in those areas.

According to the Alabama Department of Human Resources, 417,944 households - roughly 889-380 people - received food assistance in the state last year. The new changes could cut off as many 500,000 people nationwide from food stamp benefits.