Understanding When Your SNAP Benefits Will Reload

If you receive SNAP benefits and wonder when your money will be available on your EBT card, you’re not alone. Many recipients find the schedule confusing since the reload timing varies significantly depending on where you live. The good news is that the system operates on a predictable monthly schedule in 2026, and there are straightforward ways to find out exactly when your benefits will appear.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly financial assistance to help families afford groceries. Your benefits get transferred to a prepaid debit card called an EBT card, and the specific date you receive your monthly allotment depends on several personal identification factors tied to your case—including your Social Security number, last name, case number, or account identification digits.

How to Know Your Personal SNAP Reload Schedule

Before checking state-by-state details, the fastest method to discover when your specific benefits reload is visiting your state’s official SNAP provider website. Look for an “EBT in My State” dropdown menu, where you can enter your information and receive your personalized reload date immediately. This eliminates guessing and gives you the exact date to expect your funds.

Most states distribute benefits throughout the first 10 days of the month, though some extend the distribution window much longer. Your particular reload date typically falls between the 1st and 23rd of the month, depending on your state and how its welfare department has structured their disbursement schedule.

Here’s what makes this system work smoothly for recipients:

• You’ll receive your monthly benefit on the same day each month, creating a predictable pattern you can count on
• Your EBT card functions just like a debit card at thousands of retail locations nationwide
• The date you get credited is determined by one or more pieces of your personal information (usually the last digit of your SSN or first letter of your last name)
• Each state manages its own schedule independently, which is why neighboring states can have completely different payment windows

State-by-State SNAP Reload Dates for 2026

The following breakdown shows when SNAP benefits typically reload in each state, District of Columbia, and territories. Your exact date will depend on the identification factor listed:

East Coast States:

• Connecticut: Days 1-3, determined by first letter of last name
• Delaware: Days 2-24, distributed based on first letter of last name
• Florida: Days 1-28, determined by case number digits
• Georgia: Days 5-23, based on ID number’s last two digits
• Maine: Days 10-14, determined by birthday’s last digit
• Maryland: Days 4-23, based on first letter of last name
• Massachusetts: Days 1-14, determined by Social Security number’s last digit
• New Hampshire: The 5th of the month (fixed date)
• New Jersey: Days 1-5, determined by case number’s 7th digit
• New York: Days 1-9, based on case number’s last digit (New York City uses 13-day distribution)
• North Carolina: Days 3-21, determined by Social Security number’s last digit
• Pennsylvania: First 10 business days, based on case record number’s last digit
• Rhode Island: The 1st of the month (fixed date)
• Vermont: The 1st of the month (fixed date)
• Virginia: Days 1-9, determined by case number’s last digit
• West Virginia: Days 1-9, based on first letter of last name

Midwest States:

• Illinois: Days 1-20, determined by case type and name combination
• Indiana: Days 5-23, based on first letter of last name
• Iowa: Days 1-10, determined by first letter of last name
• Kansas: Days 1-10, based on first letter of last name
• Michigan: Days 3-21, determined by ID number’s last two digits
• Minnesota: Days 4-13, based on case number’s last digit
• Missouri: Days 1-22, determined by birth month and last name
• Nebraska: Days 1-5, based on head of household’s Social Security number
• North Dakota: The 1st of the month (fixed date)
• Ohio: Days 2-20, determined by case number’s last digit
• Wisconsin: Days 1-15, based on Social Security number’s eighth digit

Southern States:

• Alabama: Days 4-23, determined by case number
• Arkansas: Days 4-13, based on Social Security number’s last digit
• Kentucky: Days 1-19, determined by Social Security number’s last digit
• Louisiana: Days 1-14, based on Social Security number’s last digit
• Mississippi: Days 4-21, determined by case number’s last two digits
• South Carolina: Days 1-19, based on case number’s last digit
• Tennessee: Days 1-20, determined by Social Security number’s last two digits
• Texas: Days 1-15, based on Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number

Western States:

• Alaska: The 1st of the month (fixed date)
• Arizona: Days 1-13, determined by first letter of last name
• California: Days 1-10, based on case number’s last digit
• Colorado: Days 1-10, determined by Social Security number’s last digit
• Hawaii: Days 3-5, based on first letter of last name
• Idaho: Days 1-10, determined by last digit of birth year
• Montana: Days 2-6, based on case number’s last digit
• Nevada: Days 1-10, determined by last digit of birth year
• New Mexico: Days 1-20, based on Social Security number’s last two digits
• Oklahoma: Days 1-10, determined by case number’s last digit
• Oregon: Days 1-9, based on Social Security number’s last digit
• South Dakota: The 10th of the month (fixed date)
• Utah: The 5th, 11th, or 15th, depending on first letter of last name
• Washington: Staggered throughout the month based on application and approval date
• Wyoming: Days 1-4, determined by first letter of last name

U.S. Territories & Washington, D.C.:

• Guam: Days 1-10
• Puerto Rico: Days 4-22, based on Social Security number’s last digit
• Washington, D.C.: Days 1-10, determined by first letter of last name

Where You Can Spend Your SNAP Benefits

Your EBT card works at any SNAP-authorized retailer, making it convenient to access food assistance. Accepted locations include major supermarket chains, many farmers’ markets, select convenience stores, and big-box retailers like Walmart and Target. Many online grocery delivery services now accept EBT as well, allowing you to shop from home.

SNAP benefits purchase a wide range of food items including fresh produce, meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, bread, cereal, snacks, and more. The only restrictions are that you cannot use benefits for hot or prepared foods, household items, or alcohol.

Understanding your personal SNAP reload schedule helps you plan your grocery shopping more effectively and ensures you know exactly when to expect your monthly allocation to arrive.