Your EBT Refill Schedule: What Day Does Your Card Reload Each Month?

If you receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, one of the most important questions is likely: what day does your EBT refill? The answer isn’t straightforward because your Electronic Benefits Transfer card reload date depends on several factors specific to your state. Unlike a single national payday, SNAP benefits are dispersed throughout the month according to each state’s individual schedule, meaning your neighbors might receive their funds on a completely different date than you do.

Understanding SNAP EBT Reload Timing Across America

The basic framework is consistent: SNAP benefits arrive once monthly through your prepaid EBT card, a debit card that functions like a regular bank card at authorized retailers. However, the specific day your EBT refills varies dramatically. In most states, initial deposits hit cards between the 1st and 10th of the month, while other states spread distributions across the entire month. Each state determines its own distribution calendar based on factors like your case number, Social Security number, the first letter of your last name, or your birth date—whichever method that state uses to stagger payments and manage their system efficiently.

How EBT Refill Dates Are Determined by State

The reason for this staggered approach is practical: spacing out benefit distributions prevents system overload and helps state agencies manage their workload. Your specific reload date depends on one identifying factor tied to your SNAP case. For instance, if your state uses the last digit of your Social Security number, beneficiaries with “0” might receive funds on the 1st, those with “5” on the 15th, and those with “9” on the 29th. Some states prefer using the first letter of your last name, while others rely on your case number. The key takeaway is that your personal EBT refill day remains consistent each month—once you know when your card reloads, you can count on that same date every single month.

To discover exactly what day your EBT benefits arrive, the fastest method is visiting your state’s official SNAP administration website or the national EBT provider portal and searching for your state in the lookup tool. This eliminates guessing and provides official confirmation.

Complete State-by-State EBT Refill Schedule

Here’s when SNAP benefits refill in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, based on current 2026 schedules:

Alabama: 4th-23rd (varies by case number) Alaska: 1st of month Arizona: 1st-13th (varies by last name first letter) Arkansas: 4th-13th (varies by last digit of Social Security) California: 1st-10th (varies by case number last digit) Colorado: 1st-10th (varies by Social Security last digit) Connecticut: 1st-3rd (varies by last name first letter) Delaware: 2nd-24th spread (varies by last name first letter) Florida: 1st-28th (varies by case number digits) Georgia: 5th-23rd (varies by ID number last two digits) Guam: 1st-10th Hawaii: 3rd or 5th (varies by last name first letter) Idaho: First 10 days (varies by birth year last digit) Illinois: 1st-20th (varies by case type and name) Indiana: 5th-23rd (varies by last name first letter) Iowa: First 10 days (varies by last name first letter) Kansas: First 10 days (varies by last name first letter) Kentucky: First 19 days (varies by Social Security last digit) Louisiana: 1st-14th (varies by Social Security last digit) Maine: 10th-14th (varies by birthday last digit) Maryland: 4th-23rd (varies by last name first letter) Massachusetts: First 14 days (varies by Social Security last digit) Michigan: 3rd-21st (varies by ID number last two digits) Minnesota: 4th-13th (varies by case number last digit) Mississippi: 4th-21st (varies by case number last two digits) Missouri: 1st-22nd (varies by birth month and last name) Montana: 2nd-6th (varies by case number last digit) Nebraska: 1st-5th (varies by head of household Social Security last digit) Nevada: First 10 days (varies by birth year last digit) New Hampshire: 5th of month New Jersey: First 5 days (varies by case number 7th digit) New Mexico: First 20 days (varies by Social Security last two digits) New York: 1st-9th statewide, 13-day spread in NYC (varies by case number last digit, excludes Sundays/holidays) North Carolina: 3rd-21st (varies by Social Security last digit) North Dakota: 1st of month Ohio: 2nd-20th (varies by case number last digit) Oklahoma: 1st-10th (varies by case number last digit) Oregon: 1st-9th (varies by Social Security last digit) Pennsylvania: First 10 business days (varies by case record number last digit) Puerto Rico: 4th-22nd (varies by Social Security last digit) Rhode Island: 1st of month South Carolina: 1st-19th (varies by case number last digit) South Dakota: 10th of month Tennessee: 1st-20th (varies by Social Security last two digits) Texas: First 15 days (varies by EDG number last digit) Utah: 5th, 11th, or 15th (varies by last name first letter) Vermont: 1st of month Virginia: 1st-9th (varies by case number last digit) Washington: Staggered based on application and approval dates Washington, D.C.: 1st-10th (varies by last name first letter) West Virginia: First 9 days (varies by last name first letter) Wisconsin: First 15 days (varies by Social Security 8th digit) Wyoming: 1st-4th (varies by last name first letter)

Where You Can Spend Your SNAP EBT Benefits

Once your EBT card refills, you’re ready to shop. SNAP-authorized retailers include most major supermarket chains, farmers markets, participating convenience stores, and large retailers like Walmart and Target. Many online grocery delivery services now accept EBT as well. Your EBT card works just like a regular debit card for qualifying food purchases including fresh produce, proteins, dairy, grains, and household staples. While non-food items and prepared foods aren’t eligible, your benefits provide flexibility in choosing the groceries that work best for your family.

Understanding what day your EBT refills puts you in control of your monthly food budget. Check your state’s official schedule today to mark your personal reload date on your calendar.