Understanding When Your EBT Benefits Hit: A Complete State-by-State Timeline

Wondering what time your EBT benefits hit your card each month? If you’re receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) assistance, understanding your specific payment schedule is crucial for budgeting and meal planning. The Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system delivers food assistance to low-income families, but the timing of when your benefits arrive varies significantly depending on which state you live in.

How the EBT System Works: Understanding Your Reload Schedule

The SNAP program provides monthly financial assistance to help families purchase groceries and food items. Rather than receiving physical checks or cash, benefits are credited directly to an EBT card—essentially a prepaid debit card loaded with your specific benefit amount.

Most states distribute their benefits across multiple days rather than all at once. Why? This staggered approach prevents system overload and helps manage the volume of transactions. Your specific deposit date is determined by factors tied to your identity, such as the last digit of your Social Security number, the first letter of your last name, or your case number.

In 2026, the distribution pattern remains consistent with previous years. If you’re a new SNAP recipient, your benefits typically arrive between the 1st and 10th of each month, depending on your state’s scheduling system. Once established in the program, you’ll receive benefits on the same date each month going forward.

Your EBT card works like a standard debit card at authorized retailers. You can use it at supermarkets, farmers markets, convenience stores, major retailers like Walmart and Target, and even some online grocery services. The card covers eligible food items including produce, meat, dairy, bread, cereals, and other household staples.

State-Specific EBT Deposit Dates: When Does Your Payment Arrive?

Each state operates its own SNAP payment schedule. Here’s the complete breakdown by state and territory:

Northeast Region:

• Connecticut: 1st-3rd of the month (based on first letter of last name)
• Maine: 10th-14th (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-9th (last digit of case number; NYC has 13-day distribution excluding weekends/holidays)
• 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-24th (23-day schedule based on first letter of last name)
• Maryland: 4th-23rd (based on first letter of last name)
• Virginia: 1st-9th (based on last digit of case number)
• Washington D.C.: 1st-10th (based on first letter of last name)
• West Virginia: First 9 days (based on first letter of last name)
• North Carolina: 3rd-21st (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• South Carolina: 1st-19th (based on last digit of case number)
• Georgia: 5th-23rd (based on last two digits of ID number)
• Florida: 1st-28th (based on 9th and 8th digits of case number)

Upper South & Midwest:

• Kentucky: First 19 days (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Tennessee: 1st-20th (based on last two digits of Social Security number)
• Arkansas: 4th-13th (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Louisiana: 1st-14th (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Mississippi: 4th-21st (based on last two digits of case number)
• Alabama: 4th-23rd (based on case number)
• Missouri: 1st-22nd (based on birth month and last name)
• Ohio: 2nd-20th (based on last digit of case number)
• Indiana: 5th-23rd (based on first letter of last name)
• Illinois: 1st-20th (based on combination of case type and case name)
• Michigan: 3rd-21st (based on last two digits of ID number)
• Wisconsin: First 15 days (based on eighth digit of Social Security number)
• Minnesota: 4th-13th (based on last digit of case number)
• Iowa: First 10 days (based on first letter of last name)
• Kansas: First 10 days (based on first letter of last name)

Great Plains & Mountain West:

• Nebraska: 1st-5th (based on last digit of head of household’s Social Security number)
• South Dakota: 10th of the month
• North Dakota: 1st of the month
• Wyoming: 1st-4th (based on first letter of last name)
• Montana: 2nd-6th (based on last digit of case number)
• Colorado: 1st-10th (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• New Mexico: First 20 days (based on last two digits of Social Security number)
• Oklahoma: 1st-10th (based on last digit of case number)
• Texas: First 15 days (based on last digit of Eligibility Determination Group number)
• Kansas: First 10 days (based on first letter of last name)

West Coast & Other Regions:

• Washington: Staggered throughout the month (based on application and approval dates)
• Oregon: 1st-9th (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• California: First 10 days (based on last digit of case number)
• Nevada: First 10 days (based on last number of birth year)
• Idaho: First 10 days (based on last number of birth year)
• Utah: 5th, 11th, or 15th (based on first letter of last name)
• Arizona: 1st-13th (based on first letter of last name)
• Alaska: 1st of the month
• Hawaii: 3rd-5th (based on first letter of last name)

U.S. Territories:

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

Checking Your EBT Payment Schedule and Using Your Benefits

The easiest way to confirm your exact payment date is to visit your state’s official SNAP website or check the benefits provider’s portal. Look for an “EBT in My State” dropdown or similar resource where you can input your information and get your personalized schedule.

Once you know your deposit date, you can plan your groceries and household food purchases accordingly. Your EBT card balance updates automatically on your assigned date each month, carrying forward any unused balance from the previous month (some states have time limits on how long benefits can remain).

Eligible food items include fresh produce, frozen vegetables, meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, breads, cereals, snacks, and beverages. Non-food items like toiletries, paper products, and prepared foods from hot bars or takeout counters cannot be purchased with EBT benefits.

Understanding your EBT deposit schedule takes the guesswork out of monthly food budgeting and helps ensure you can access your benefits when you need them most.