Understanding SNAP Deposit Schedules: When Does Your Food Assistance Get Deposited?

If you receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, one of the most practical questions you likely have is: when does SNAP get deposited? The answer isn’t straightforward because when SNAP funds hit your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card varies significantly depending on which state you live in. However, the good news is that your deposit date remains consistent month to month, making it easier to budget once you know your specific date.

The reason for these staggered schedules across the country is administrative efficiency. Rather than processing all SNAP payments on a single date, state agencies distribute benefits throughout the month based on factors specific to each recipient. This system has remained largely consistent from year to year, so if you knew your deposit date in previous years, it likely hasn’t changed in 2026.

How SNAP Benefits Are Delivered and When Deposits Happen

SNAP benefits are delivered through a prepaid debit card called an EBT card. When you’re approved for benefits, the funds are electronically transferred to this card on a predetermined schedule. Most new SNAP cases receive their initial benefit deposit sometime between the 1st and 10th of the month, though the exact date depends on several personal identifiers.

Your individual deposit date is calculated using specific information from your application. The most common factors determining when your SNAP gets deposited include your Social Security number, your last name’s first letter, your case number, or your birth date. Each state has its own formula for determining these deposit dates. The bottom line: you’ll receive your monthly benefit on the same date every single month, which allows you to plan your grocery purchases and food budget accordingly.

If you need to find your exact SNAP deposit date, the fastest method is to check your state’s official EBT website. Most states have an “EBT in My State” portal where you can input your information and immediately see when your benefits are scheduled to arrive. Alternatively, you can contact your state’s SNAP office directly for confirmation.

State-by-State Breakdown: Finding Your SNAP Deposit Date

The timing of when SNAP gets deposited spans the entire month across the United States. Here’s a comprehensive guide to every state’s SNAP benefit schedule:

Northeast Region:

• Connecticut: 1st to 3rd, based on first letter of last name
• Delaware: Loaded over 23 days starting from 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 (13 days in New York City excluding weekends/holidays), 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

Midwest Region:

• Illinois: 1st to 20th, based on case type and name combination
• 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 eighth digit of Social Security number

South Region:

• 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 Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number
• Virginia: 1st to 9th, based on last digit of case number
• West Virginia: First nine days, based on first letter of last name

Mountain & Southwest Region:

• Arizona: 1st to 13th, based on first letter of last name
• 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 Region:

• Alaska: 1st of the month
• 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 month based on application date and approval date

U.S. Territories:

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

As you can see, SNAP deposits are scheduled throughout each month. The most common deposit windows are during the first 10 days, but some states extend into the second or third week. If you’re unsure about when your SNAP deposits occur, contact your state agency or check the official EBT website—they’ll have your specific date on file.

What You Can Purchase and Where to Use Your Benefits

Once your SNAP funds are deposited to your EBT card, you have flexibility in how you spend them at authorized retailers. SNAP benefits cover most food items you’d purchase for household consumption, including fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, fish and seafood, dairy products, breads and cereals, and other grocery staples. The only restriction is that you cannot use SNAP to purchase prepared foods, alcohol, or non-food items.

You can use your EBT card at most supermarkets, farmers’ markets, convenience stores with grocery sections, warehouse clubs like Walmart and Target, and many online grocery retailers. The combination of widespread retailer acceptance and consistent monthly deposits makes it simple to manage your food budget throughout the year.

Understanding when your SNAP gets deposited is the first step toward effective budgeting. With this information in hand, you can plan your meals and shopping schedule with confidence, knowing exactly when your monthly benefits will be available.