Understanding When SNAP Benefits Are Deposited Each Month

If you’re receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, one of the most important questions you likely have is: when is SNAP deposited to your account? The answer depends on several factors, including which state you live in and how your case is classified. Most beneficiaries receive their monthly food assistance between the 1st and 23rd of the month, though the exact deposit date varies significantly across the country.

The Standard SNAP Deposit Timeline Across States

SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, provides monthly financial assistance to help low-income families purchase groceries. Unlike a traditional paycheck that arrives on the same day for everyone, your SNAP benefits are deposited based on your individual identification information. In most cases, when your SNAP benefits are deposited depends on factors such as your Social Security number, last name, case number, or your head of household’s ID number.

The Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system is the mechanism that delivers these funds to your debit card. For 2026, the deposit schedule remains consistent with previous years in most states. Individual states manage their own benefit distribution schedules, meaning that not all SNAP recipients across the U.S. receive their benefits on the same date. This staggered approach helps state agencies manage their workload more efficiently throughout the month.

How Your Specific SNAP Deposit Date Is Determined

To find out when your SNAP is deposited each month, the easiest method is to check your state’s official EBT program website. Most states provide an “EBT in My State” tool where you can enter your information and see your deposit date. Alternatively, you can contact your local SNAP office directly.

Generally, benefits for new cases receiving SNAP eligibility are processed between the 1st and 10th of the month. However, ongoing cases may have different schedules. Your exact deposit date will be determined by specific criteria assigned by your state, which might include:

• The last digit of your Social Security number
• The first letter of your last name
• Your case number (usually the last digit)
• Your birth date or birth month
• Your application approval date

Once you receive your SNAP benefits, they’re loaded onto a prepaid debit card that functions like a regular bank card. These funds can be used at authorized retailers to purchase eligible food items including fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, bread, cereal, and other household food products.

State-by-State Schedule: When SNAP Benefits Are Deposited

The deposit schedules vary considerably from one state to another. Here’s a comprehensive overview of when benefits are typically loaded in each state:

Northeast Region:

• Connecticut: 1st to 3rd, based on first letter of last name
• Maine: 10th to 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 to 9th (or 13 days excluding weekends/holidays in NYC), 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 Region:

• Delaware: 2nd to 24th (spread over 23 days), based on first letter of last name
• Maryland: 4th to 23rd, based on first letter of last name
• North Carolina: 3rd to 21st, based on last digit of Social Security number
• Virginia: 1st to 9th, based on last digit of case number
• Washington, D.C.: 1st to 10th, based on first letter of last name
• West Virginia: First 9 days, based on first letter of last name
• Florida: 1st to 28th, based on 9th and 8th digits of case number
• Georgia: 5th to 23rd, based on last two digits of ID number
• South Carolina: 1st to 19th, based on last digit of case number
• Tennessee: 1st to 20th, based on last two digits of Social Security number

Midwest Region:

• Illinois: 1st to 20th, based on combination of case type and case name
• Indiana: 5th to 23rd, 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, based on last two digits of ID number
• Minnesota: 4th to 13th, based on last digit of case number
• Missouri: 1st to 22nd, based on birth month and last name
• Ohio: 2nd to 20th, based on last digit of case number
• Wisconsin: First 15 days, based on eighth digit of Social Security number

Great Plains Region:

• Arkansas: 4th to 13th, based on last digit of Social Security number
• Kentucky: First 19 days, based on last digit of Social Security number
• Louisiana: 1st to 14th, based on last digit of Social Security number
• Mississippi: 4th to 21st, based on last two digits of case number
• Nebraska: 1st to 5th, based on last digit of head of household’s Social Security number
• North Dakota: 1st of the month
• Oklahoma: 1st to 10th, based on last digit of case number
• South Dakota: 10th of the month
• Texas: First 15 days, based on last digit of Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number

Mountain & West Region:

• Alaska: 1st of the month
• Arizona: 1st to 13th, based on first letter of last name
• California: First 10 days, based on last digit of case number
• Colorado: 1st to 10th, based on last digit of Social Security number
• Hawaii: 3rd and 5th, based on first letter of last name
• Idaho: First 10 days, based on last number of birth year
• Montana: 2nd to 6th, 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
• Oregon: 1st to 9th, based on last digit of Social Security number
• Utah: 5th, 11th, or 15th, based on first letter of last name
• Washington: Staggered throughout month based on application and approval date
• Wyoming: 1st to 4th, based on first letter of last name

U.S. Territories:

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

Making the Most of Your SNAP Benefits

Once your SNAP is deposited to your EBT card, you have the flexibility to shop at any SNAP-authorized retailer. This includes most major supermarket chains, farmers’ markets, convenience stores, and large retailers like Walmart and Target. Many states now also allow online grocery shopping through participating retailers, giving you additional options for accessing your benefits.

Understanding when your specific benefits arrive can help you better plan your monthly grocery budget and shopping schedule. If you’re unsure about your deposit date, visit your state’s official SNAP website or contact your local benefits office for verification. The consistent timing of monthly deposits, once you know your schedule, allows you to plan purchases strategically throughout the month and maximize your household’s nutrition.