Your EBT Card Schedule: Understanding When SNAP Benefits Hit Your Account Each Month

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly food assistance to millions of low-income families across America. If you rely on this benefit, knowing exactly when your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card gets loaded is crucial for meal planning and budgeting.

How SNAP Payments Work Across the Country

Unlike a single national payment date, the timing of your SNAP benefits depends on where you live. Each state manages its own distribution schedule, meaning your neighbor in a different state might receive their benefits on a completely different day than you do. This staggered approach helps balance the workload for state benefit agencies throughout the month.

Your specific deposit date is typically determined by one of these factors: the last digit of your Social Security number, your case number, the first letter of your last name, or a combination of these identifiers. This systematic distribution spreads payments across the first few weeks of the month in most states.

Finding Your State’s Payment Schedule

The most straightforward way to discover your exact payment date is visiting your state’s official benefits website and locating the “EBT in My State” section. Rather than guessing or calling repeatedly, this direct approach takes seconds and gives you definitive information.

In general, SNAP benefits for new applicants arrive between the 1st and 10th of each month, though some states extend this window further. Once approved, you’ll receive a prepaid debit card—your EBT card—with your monthly benefit amount already loaded onto it.

What You Can Purchase With Your SNAP Benefits

Your EBT card works like a regular debit card but specifically for food purchases. You can use it at participating supermarkets, farmers’ markets, convenience stores, and major retailers like Walmart and Target. Eligible items include fresh produce, meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, cereals, bread, and other nutritious foods for your household.

Many states now allow online grocery shopping with SNAP benefits as well, making it easier to shop from home.

State-by-State EBT Reload Dates

Southeast Region:

• North Carolina: Benefits load between the 3rd and 21st of the month based on your Social Security number’s last digit. North Carolina residents should note that standard SNAP benefits follow this schedule, though it’s worth checking with your local county department of social services for any temporary supplemental distributions that may be announced for specific months.
• South Carolina: The 1st through 19th of the month, determined by your case number.
• Georgia: Between the 5th and 23rd, based on the last two digits of your ID number.
• Florida: Spread across the 1st to 28th based on digits of your case number.
• Virginia: The 1st through 9th, according to your case number.

Northeast Region:

• Massachusetts: First 14 days of the month, based on Social Security number’s last digit.
• Connecticut: 1st through 3rd, based on first letter of last name.
• New York: 1st through 9th (except NYC, where distribution spans 13 non-Sunday/holiday days), determined by case number.
• New Jersey: First 5 business days based on the 7th digit of case number.
• Pennsylvania: First 10 business days, according to case record number’s last digit.
• Rhode Island: Always the 1st of the month.
• Vermont: Always the 1st of the month.

Midwest Region:

• Illinois: Between 1st and 20th based on case type and name combination.
• Ohio: 2nd through 20th, determined by case number’s last digit.
• Michigan: 3rd through 21st, based on last two digits of ID number.
• Wisconsin: First 15 days, according to the eighth digit of Social Security number.
• Minnesota: 4th through 13th, based on case number’s last digit.
• Missouri: 1st through 22nd, determined by birth month and last name.
• Kansas: First 10 days, based on first letter of last name.
• Iowa: First 10 days, according to first letter of last name.
• Nebraska: 1st through 5th, based on head of household’s Social Security number’s last digit.

Southwest & Mountain Region:

• Texas: First 15 days, based on your Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number.
• Arizona: 1st through 13th, determined by first letter of last name.
• New Mexico: First 20 days, based on last two digits of Social Security number.
• Colorado: 1st through 10th, according to Social Security number’s last digit.
• Utah: 5th, 11th, or 15th, based on first letter of last name.
• Nevada: First 10 days, based on the last digit of birth year.
• Montana: 2nd through 6th, determined by case number’s last digit.
• Wyoming: 1st through 4th, based on first letter of last name.

West Region:

• California: First 10 days, determined by last digit of case number.
• Oregon: 1st through 9th, based on Social Security number’s last digit.
• Washington: Distributed throughout the month according to application and approval dates.
• Alaska: Always the 1st of the month.
• Hawaii: 3rd or 5th, based on first letter of last name.
• Idaho: First 10 days, determined by last digit of birth year.

Southern Region:

• Louisiana: 1st through 14th, based on Social Security number’s last digit.
• Arkansas: 4th through 13th, according to last digit of Social Security number.
• Mississippi: 4th through 21st, based on last two digits of case number.
• Tennessee: 1st through 20th, determined by last two digits of Social Security number.
• Kentucky: First 19 days, based on Social Security number’s last digit.
• Oklahoma: 1st through 10th, according to case number’s last digit.
• Alabama: 4th through 23rd, determined by case number.

Other Territories:

• Puerto Rico: 4th through 22nd, based on Social Security number’s last digit.
• Guam: 1st through 10th.
• North Dakota: Always the 1st.
• South Dakota: Always the 10th.
• Washington, D.C.: 1st through 10th, based on first letter of last name.
• West Virginia: First 9 days, determined by first letter of last name.
• New Hampshire: Always the 5th.
• Maine: 10th through 14th, based on last digit of birthday.
• Delaware: Distributed over 23 days starting the 2nd, based on first letter of last name.
• Maryland: 4th through 23rd, according to first letter of last name.
• Indiana: 5th through 23rd, determined by first letter of last name.

Planning Your Monthly Budget

Understanding your specific payment date helps you plan grocery shopping and meal preparation more effectively. Mark your calendar with your particular distribution date so you know exactly when funds will be available on your EBT card.

Remember that SNAP benefits are intended specifically for food purchases, not other household items. By knowing when your benefits arrive, you can make the most of your assistance and ensure your family has consistent access to nutritious meals throughout the month.