Understanding When Your EBT Card Gets Reloaded Each Month

Your EBT card reload day is one of the most important dates to track when you receive SNAP benefits. The specific day your electronic benefits transfer will arrive varies significantly depending on which state you live in, and understanding the schedule means you’ll never be caught off guard wondering when that monthly assistance hits your card.

The timing system is actually pretty straightforward, even though it can seem complicated at first. Rather than sending everyone’s benefits on the same day, each state staggers the releases throughout the month based on specific identifiers tied to your case—things like your Social Security number, the first letter of your last name, or your case number. This spreads out the workload and ensures the system runs smoothly. Most states distribute SNAP funds sometime between the 1st and 20th of the month, though some have longer windows.

When Does Your EBT Card Reload? The Basic Timeline

If you’re signed up for SNAP benefits, your benefits are loaded directly onto your prepaid EBT debit card once per month. In most cases, brand new applicants receive their first deposit between the 1st and 10th of the month. After that initial period, your reload day stays consistent each month based on your identifying information.

The easiest way to find out exactly when your card gets credited is to visit your state’s official EBT provider website and use their “EBT in My State” lookup tool. You can check the specific schedule by entering your state, and most systems will show you the exact date range for your situation.

Here’s what you need to know: The last digit of your identification number, your last name’s first letter, or another identifier tied to your case will determine your specific reload day. This means if your neighbor also gets SNAP benefits, they might receive their monthly allocation on a completely different day than you do.

State-by-State EBT Reload Schedule

Every state manages its own SNAP timeline, which is why your reload day depends entirely on geography. Below is the breakdown of when you can expect your benefits to be credited, organized by state:

Northeast & Mid-Atlantic:

• Connecticut: 1st to 3rd (based on first letter of last name)
• Delaware: Spread across 23 days starting the 2nd (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 non-Sunday/non-holiday days in NYC specifically (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
• 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)

Southeast:

• Alabama: 4th to 23rd (based on case number)
• Arkansas: 4th to 13th (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• 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)
• Kentucky: First 19 days (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Louisiana: 1st to 14th (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Maryland: 4th to 23rd (based on first letter of last name)
• Mississippi: 4th to 21st (based on last two digits of case number)
• North Carolina: 3rd to 21st (based on last digit of Social Security 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)
• Texas: First 15 days (based on last digit of EDG number)
• Virginia: 1st to 9th (based on last digit of case number)

Midwest:

• 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)
• Nebraska: 1st to 5th (based on last digit of head of household’s Social Security number)
• North Dakota: 1st of the month
• Ohio: 2nd to 20th (based on last digit of case number)
• South Dakota: 10th of the month
• Wisconsin: First 15 days (based on 8th digit of Social Security number)

Great Plains & Mountain:

• Colorado: 1st to 10th (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Idaho: First 10 days (based on last number of birth year)
• Kansas: First 10 days (based on first letter of last name)
• 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)
• Oklahoma: 1st to 10th (based on last digit of case number)
• Utah: 5th, 11th, or 15th (based on first letter of last name)
• Wyoming: 1st to 4th (based on first letter of last name)

West Coast:

• 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)
• Hawaii: 3rd and 5th (based on first letter of last name)
• Oregon: 1st to 9th (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Washington: Staggered throughout the month (based on your application and approval date)

U.S. Territories & Other Areas:

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

How to Find Your Specific EBT Reload Day

The best resource is your state’s official EBT program website. Most states have a provider page where you can enter your information and see exactly when your benefits load. You can also contact your local SNAP office directly if you’re unsure about your particular reload schedule.

Another option: Check your account history on your EBT card’s online portal. Past deposits will show you the pattern of when your benefits typically arrive, which makes it easy to anticipate next month’s reload day.

Where You Can Use Your EBT Card Benefits

Once your card reloads with your monthly SNAP funds, you can use it at any participating SNAP-authorized retailer. Most supermarkets accept EBT payments, along with farmers’ markets in your area, convenience stores, and major retailers like Walmart and Target. You can also use your card at some online grocery shopping services, which has become increasingly convenient for families managing their food budgets.

Your EBT card works like a standard debit card at checkout. You can purchase eligible food items including fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, bread, cereal, and other groceries your family needs. Non-food items and prepared foods aren’t eligible, so keep that in mind when you’re planning your shopping trip.

Understanding your EBT card reload day helps you budget better each month and avoid the stress of wondering when your benefits will arrive. Mark your specific reload date in your calendar, set a phone reminder, or check your account regularly to stay on top of your SNAP benefits schedule.