When Do I Get My EBT Money? Your State-by-State Payment Schedule Guide

If you receive SNAP benefits through your EBT card, you’ve probably wondered when the funds will actually appear in your account each month. The short answer is that it depends on your state, and timing can range anywhere from the 1st to the 28th of the month based on various identification factors. Understanding your specific payment date is essential for planning your monthly groceries and meals.

How EBT Payment Schedules Work

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, deposits monthly food assistance funds directly onto your Electronic Benefits Transfer card—essentially a prepaid debit card. Rather than sending all payments on the same date nationwide, individual states manage their own distribution schedules to spread out the processing load.

Most states distribute benefits between the 1st and 20th of each month, using your personal information to determine your specific deposit day. Common identification factors include the last digit of your Social Security number, your case number, the first letter of your last name, or a combination of these details. This system ensures consistent, predictable monthly deposits, and in 2026, most states continue following these established patterns with little disruption.

Determining Your Specific EBT Payment Date by State

Here’s what you need to know about when your EBT card reloads across all 50 states, plus U.S. territories:

Southern States:

• Alabama: 4th–23rd (based on case number)
• Arkansas: 4th–13th (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Florida: 1st–28th (based on case number digits)
• Georgia: 5th–23rd (based on last two digits of ID number)
• Kentucky: 1st–19th (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Louisiana: 1st–14th (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Maryland: 4th–23rd (based on first letter of last name)
• Mississippi: 4th–21st (based on last two digits of case number)
• North Carolina: 3rd–21st (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• South Carolina: 1st–19th (based on last digit of case number)
• Tennessee: 1st–20th (based on last two digits of Social Security number)
• Texas: 1st–15th (based on EDG number)
• Virginia: 1st–9th (based on last digit of case number)
• West Virginia: 1st–9th (based on first letter of last name)

Midwestern and Northern States:

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

Western States:

• Alaska: 1st (all recipients)
• Arizona: 1st–13th (based on first letter of last name)
• California: 1st–10th (based on last digit of case number)
• Idaho: 1st–10th (based on last number of birth year)
• Montana: 2nd–6th (based on last digit of case number)
• Nevada: 1st–10th (based on last number of birth year)
• New Mexico: 1st–20th (based on last two digits of Social Security number)
• Oklahoma: 1st–10th (based on last digit of case number)
• Oregon: 1st–9th (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• South Dakota: 10th (all recipients)
• Utah: 5th, 11th, or 15th (based on first letter of last name)
• Washington: Staggered throughout month (based on application approval date)
• Wyoming: 1st–4th (based on first letter of last name)

Northeastern States:

• Connecticut: 1st–3rd (based on first letter of last name)
• Delaware: 2nd–24th (based on first letter of last name)
• Maine: 10th–14th (based on last digit of birthday)
• Massachusetts: 1st–14th (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• New Hampshire: 5th (all recipients)
• New Jersey: 1st–5th (based on 7th digit of case number)
• New York: 1st–9th (except NYC: distributed over 13 non-holiday days)
• Pennsylvania: 1st–10th business days (based on case record number)
• Rhode Island: 1st (all recipients)
• Vermont: 1st (all recipients)
• Washington, D.C.: 1st–10th (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)

How to Find Out When You’ll Get Your EBT Money

The fastest way to determine your exact payment date is to check your state’s official SNAP or EBT website. Most states have an “EBT in My State” or similar section that lets you enter your identifying information and see your personalized schedule. If you’re unsure how to access this information, contact your state’s SNAP office directly—they can confirm your monthly deposit date in seconds.

You can also track your balance and recent transactions through your EBT card provider’s online portal or mobile app, which typically shows when funds were added.

Using Your EBT Card for Food Purchases

Once your benefits are loaded onto your EBT card, you can use the funds at authorized retailers nationwide. Eligible locations include most supermarkets, select farmers’ markets, convenience stores, and major retailers like Walmart and Target. You can purchase approved foods such as fruits, vegetables, proteins, dairy products, breads, cereals, and more.

Some online grocery retailers now accept EBT as well, making it more convenient to shop from home if that option is available in your area. Remember that EBT funds are strictly for food purchases—household items, hot foods, or alcohol cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits.

Key Takeaways About EBT and SNAP

Understanding when you get your EBT money helps you plan your monthly grocery budget with confidence. While the exact timing varies by state and personal identifiers, the funds consistently arrive on a predictable date each month. If you haven’t already, visit your state’s official EBT program website to confirm your specific payment schedule. With this information in hand, you can better manage your food assistance benefits throughout the year.