State welfare officials say they do not know the number of food stamp recipients in Alabama who would be affected by President Donald Trump’s proposed federal rule change that nationally would cut some 3 million recipients from the program.

There are 716,989 food stamp recipients in the state, including 67,318 people age 60 and above with no earned income.

Trump wants the rule change in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, called SNAP but often known by its old name, food stamps. He says a loophole lets states give benefits to those who would otherwise be ineligible.

Forty states, including Alabama, and the District of Columbia use the option. Read more.