Understanding EBT Reload Frequency: How Often Does Your SNAP Card Get Reloaded?

If you’re receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, understanding how often your EBT card reloads is essential for managing your monthly food budget. The answer to “how often does EBT reload” might seem straightforward—benefits arrive once per month—but the actual timing varies significantly depending on which state you live in and other personal factors.

EBT Card Reload Happens Monthly, But Timing Varies by State

SNAP benefits are distributed to recipients through Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards on a monthly basis. However, unlike typical paychecks that arrive on the same day for everyone, EBT reload schedules are staggered across the first several days or weeks of each month to manage processing demands efficiently.

In most cases, your specific reload date is determined by one of three factors: your Social Security number (usually the last digit), your last name (typically the first letter), or your case number. This system distributes payment across the month rather than concentrating all transfers on a single day.

The key takeaway: while SNAP benefits reload every month without fail, the exact date when your EBT card receives its deposit depends on your state’s unique scheduling system and your personal identification information.

What Determines Your Exact EBT Reload Date?

The state where you receive SNAP benefits holds primary responsibility for determining and scheduling when payments reach your card. Each state has established its own disbursement timeline within the month, creating a patchwork of different reload schedules across the country.

Common determinants include:

• Last digit of Social Security number – States like Colorado, Arkansas, and Louisiana use this factor
• First letter of last name – States including Arizona, Connecticut, and Indiana employ this method
• Case or account number combination – States like California and Florida use case number digits
• Birth month or birth year – Some states such as Idaho and Nevada use birth year information
• Combination of multiple factors – States like Missouri consider both birth month and last name

This diversity means that even neighbors living next to each other could receive their SNAP deposits on completely different dates. For example, in Illinois, reload timing depends on “a combination of the type of case and the case name,” creating a more complex calculation than simple last-name ordering.

The Complete State-by-State EBT Reload Schedule for 2026

Here’s the specific breakdown of when EBT reloads occur across all 50 states, plus Washington D.C. and U.S. territories:

States with early-month reloads (1st-10th):

• Alaska and North Dakota reload on the 1st
• Arizona reloads between the 1st and 13th based on last name
• California, Colorado, and Oklahoma use the first 10 days based on case number or Social Security digits
• Connecticut loads between the 1st and 3rd based on last name
• New Hampshire reloads on the 5th
• New Jersey loads during the first 5 calendar days based on the 7th digit of case number
• New York reloads between the 1st and 9th (except NYC, which uses 13 non-Sunday/holiday days)
• Oregon reloads from the 1st to 9th based on Social Security number
• Rhode Island and Vermont reload on the 1st
• Virginia reloads from the 1st to 9th based on case number
• Washington D.C. loads from the 1st to 10th based on last name
• Wyoming reloads from the 1st to 4th based on last name

States with mid-month reloads (11th-20th):

• Arkansas reloads between the 4th and 13th based on Social Security number
• Connecticut loads from the 1st to 3rd
• Delaware distributes over 23 days starting the 2nd based on last name
• Georgia reloads between the 5th and 23rd based on ID number
• Illinois spreads benefits between 1st and 20th based on case type and name
• Kentucky loads during the first 19 days based on Social Security number
• Louisiana reloads between 1st and 14th based on Social Security number
• Maine reloads from 10th to 14th based on birth date
• Michigan reloads from the 3rd to 21st based on ID number
• Minnesota loads from 4th to 13th based on case number
• Mississippi reloads from 4th to 21st based on case number
• Missouri distributes between 1st and 22nd based on birth month and name
• North Carolina reloads from 3rd to 21st based on Social Security number
• Ohio reloads from 2nd to 20th based on case number
• Pennsylvania loads during the first 10 business days based on case record number
• South Carolina reloads from 1st to 19th based on case number
• Tennessee loads from 1st to 20th based on Social Security number
• Texas distributes during the first 15 days based on EDG number
• Wisconsin loads during the first 15 days based on Social Security number’s 8th digit

States with extended or special schedules:

• Alabama reloads between 4th and 23rd based on case number
• Florida loads between 1st and 28th based on case number digits
• Georgia reloads between 5th and 23rd based on ID number
• Indiana loads from 5th to 23rd based on last name
• Maryland loads from 4th to 23rd based on last name
• Montana reloads between 2nd and 6th based on case number
• Nebraska loads from 1st to 5th based on head of household’s Social Security number
• Nevada loads during first 10 days based on birth year
• New Mexico loads during first 20 days based on Social Security number
• Puerto Rico reloads between 4th and 22nd based on Social Security number
• South Dakota reloads on the 10th
• Utah reloads on the 5th, 11th, or 15th based on last name
• Washington distributes staggered throughout the month based on application and approval dates
• West Virginia loads during first 9 days based on last name

U.S. Territories:

• Guam reloads between 1st and 10th

How to Find Your Personal EBT Reload Date

Rather than memorizing your state’s entire schedule, the easiest method to discover your specific reload date is visiting your state’s official SNAP administrator website or your EBT provider’s portal. Look for the “EBT in My State” section or contact your state’s SNAP office directly.

You can also check by:

1. Calling your state’s SNAP hotline (typically found on your EBT card or benefit statement)
2. Logging into your EBT account online through your state’s portal
3. Reviewing your initial SNAP eligibility notice, which often includes your payment schedule

Where You Can Use Your EBT Card

Once your SNAP benefits reload onto your EBT card, you can use the prepaid debit card at most SNAP-authorized retailers. Eligible merchants include:

• Supermarkets and grocery stores
• Farmers’ markets participating in SNAP programs
• Convenience stores accepting EBT
• Large retailers like Walmart and Target
• Selected online grocery delivery services

SNAP funds cover food items including fresh produce, proteins, dairy, grains, and pantry staples. Non-food items, prepared foods, and household goods typically cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits.

Understanding how often your EBT reloads and knowing your exact reload date each month helps you plan your food purchases more effectively and avoid situations where you might need emergency provisions mid-month. While the frequency remains consistent—once monthly—staying aware of your state’s specific schedule ensures you’re never caught off guard when your SNAP benefits arrive.