Understanding Your EBT Card Reload Schedule: State-by-State Timing for SNAP Benefits

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly financial assistance to low-income households for food purchases through Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. While the benefit amounts and eligibility criteria remain consistent across the nation, the timing of when funds appear on your EBT card varies significantly by state. Understanding your specific state’s schedule is essential for budgeting and meal planning.

How SNAP Benefits Are Distributed

SNAP operates as a prepaid card system where eligible households receive a debit card loaded with monthly benefits. These funds can be used at SNAP-authorized retailers including supermarkets, farmers’ markets, convenience stores, and major retailers like Walmart and Target. Some online grocery services also accept EBT payments for qualified items such as produce, meat, dairy, bread, and other approved foods.

The distribution system uses a staggered approach across most states. Rather than sending all benefits on a single date, each state spreads payments throughout the month based on specific identifiers associated with your case. This allocation method is determined by factors such as your Social Security number, last name, case number, or head of household ID number—making the exact deposit date unique to each recipient.

When to Expect Your SNAP Funds by State

For those navigating the snap renewal application process in Hawaii or other states, knowing your payment date is crucial. Here’s the breakdown of EBT deposit windows across all 50 states and U.S. territories:

Northeast Region:

• Connecticut: 1st to 3rd of the month (based on first letter of last name)
• Maine: 10th to 14th of the month (based on last digit of birthday)
• Massachusetts: First 14 days (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• New Hampshire: 5th of the month
• New Jersey: First 5 calendar days (based on 7th digit of case number)
• New York: 1st to 9th of the month (1st to 13th in NYC, excluding Sundays/holidays) based on last digit of case number
• Pennsylvania: First 10 business days (based on last digit of case record number)
• Rhode Island: 1st of the month
• Vermont: 1st of the month

Mid-Atlantic & Southeast:

• Delaware: 2nd to 24th of the month (based on first letter of last name)
• Florida: 1st to 28th of the month (based on 9th and 8th digits of case number)
• Georgia: 5th to 23rd of the month (based on last two digits of ID number)
• Maryland: 4th to 23rd of the month (based on first letter of last name)
• North Carolina: 3rd to 21st of the month (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• South Carolina: 1st to 19th of the month (based on last digit of case number)
• Virginia: 1st to 9th of the month (based on last digit of case number)
• Washington, D.C.: 1st to 10th of the month (based on first letter of last name)
• West Virginia: First 9 days of the month (based on first letter of last name)

Midwest:

• Illinois: 1st to 20th of the month (based on case type and name combination)
• Indiana: 5th to 23rd of the month (based on first letter of last name)
• Iowa: First 10 days (based on first letter of last name)
• Kansas: First 10 days (based on first letter of last name)
• Michigan: 3rd to 21st of the month (based on last two digits of ID number)
• Minnesota: 4th to 13th of the month (based on last digit of case number)
• Mississippi: 4th to 21st of the month (based on last two digits of case number)
• Missouri: 1st to 22nd of the month (based on birth month and last name)
• Nebraska: 1st to 5th of the month (based on last digit of head of household Social Security number)
• North Dakota: 1st of the month
• Ohio: 2nd to 20th of the month (based on last digit of case number)
• Wisconsin: First 15 days (based on 8th digit of Social Security number)

South:

• Alabama: 4th to 23rd of the month (based on case number)
• Arkansas: 4th to 13th of the month (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Kentucky: First 19 days (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Louisiana: 1st to 14th of the month (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Oklahoma: 1st to 10th of the month (based on last digit of case number)
• Tennessee: 1st to 20th of the month (based on last two digits of Social Security number)
• Texas: First 15 days (based on last digit of EDG number)

Southwest & Mountain:

• Arizona: 1st to 13th of the month (based on first letter of last name)
• Colorado: 1st to 10th of the month (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Montana: 2nd to 6th of the month (based on last digit of case number)
• Nevada: First 10 days (based on last number of birth year)
• New Mexico: First 20 days (based on last two digits of Social Security number)
• Utah: 5th, 11th, or 15th of the month (based on first letter of last name)
• Wyoming: 1st to 4th of the month (based on first letter of last name)

West Coast:

• Alaska: 1st of the month
• California: First 10 days (based on last digit of case number)
• Hawaii: 3rd to 5th of the month (based on first letter of last name)
• Idaho: First 10 days (based on last number of birth year)
• Oregon: 1st to 9th of the month (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Washington: Distributed throughout the month based on application and approval dates

U.S. Territories:

• Guam: 1st to 10th of the month
• Puerto Rico: 4th to 22nd of the month (based on last digit of Social Security number)

Tips for Managing Your SNAP Benefits

Once your EBT card receives funds, you can use it immediately at any participating retail location. Most supermarkets accept SNAP benefits, as do many specialty food retailers and online grocery platforms. The key is to plan your purchases around your state’s deposit schedule to ensure consistent access to groceries throughout the month.

For those completing a snap renewal application or seeking current information about your state’s specific payment dates, the official SNAP administrator website provides detailed resources through the “EBT in My State” section, allowing you to confirm your exact deposit date based on your case details.

Understanding these timelines helps families better allocate their monthly food budget and avoid gaps in nutrition assistance.