Your Complete Guide to When Your EBT Card Reloads

Wondering when your SNAP benefits will arrive on your EBT card each month? The timing can be frustrating to track, especially since the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has different payout schedules across all 50 states. The good news: your benefits come like clockwork every single month—you just need to know exactly when to expect yours.

How SNAP Benefits Work and Why Timing Varies

The SNAP program provides monthly financial assistance to help low-income families purchase groceries and food items. Instead of receiving physical food stamps, eligible households get a prepaid debit card through the Electronic Benefits Transfer system. Your card automatically reloads with the month’s benefit amount on a specific date that depends on where you live.

Most states distribute benefits across the first three weeks of each month rather than on a single day. This staggered approach helps manage the administrative workload across the system. The specific date you receive your reload depends on factors like your Social Security number, case number, last name, or other identifying information that varies by state.

The Fastest Way to Find Your Personal EBT Reload Date

Here’s the easiest solution: Visit the official SNAP benefits website and use the “EBT in My State” dropdown menu to find your state, then locate your exact reload schedule based on your identifying information. Your state’s SNAP office can also provide this information directly.

In general, benefits for new SNAP cases are deposited between the 1st and 10th of the month, though some states extend into later dates. Individual states maintain their own schedules, so timing differs significantly depending on where you live.

Complete State-by-State EBT Reload Schedule

Here’s when your benefits reload in each state and territory:

• Alabama: 4th through 23rd of the month (based on case number)
• Alaska: 1st of the month
• Arizona: 1st through 13th (determined by first letter of last name)
• Arkansas: 4th through 13th (based on final digit of Social Security number)
• California: First 10 days (determined by last digit of case number)
• Colorado: 1st through 10th (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Connecticut: 1st through 3rd (determined by first letter of last name)
• Delaware: 2nd through 24th over 23 days (based on first letter of last name)
• Florida: 1st through 28th (based on 8th and 9th digits of case number)
• Georgia: 5th through 23rd (based on last two digits of ID number)
• Guam: 1st through 10th
• Hawaii: 3rd or 5th (determined by first letter of last name)
• Idaho: First 10 days (based on final digit of birth year)
• Illinois: 1st through 20th (based on case type and name combination)
• Indiana: 5th through 23rd (determined by 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)
• Kentucky: First 19 days (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Louisiana: 1st through 14th (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Maine: 10th through 14th (based on last digit of birthday)
• Maryland: 4th through 23rd (determined by first letter of last name)
• Massachusetts: First 14 days (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Michigan: 3rd through 21st (based on last two digits of ID number)
• Minnesota: 4th through 13th (based on last digit of case number)
• Mississippi: 4th through 21st (based on last two digits of case number)
• Missouri: 1st through 22nd (based on birth month and last name)
• Montana: 2nd through 6th (based on last digit of case number)
• Nebraska: 1st through 5th (based on last digit of head of household’s Social Security number)
• Nevada: First 10 days (based on final digit of birth year)
• New Hampshire: 5th of the month
• New Jersey: First 5 calendar days (based on 7th digit of case number)
• New Mexico: First 20 days (based on last two digits of Social Security number)
• New York: 1st through 9th, except New York City where benefits load over 13 non-Sunday/non-holiday days (based on last digit of case number)
• North Carolina: 3rd through 21st (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• North Dakota: 1st of the month
• Ohio: 2nd through 20th (based on last digit of case number)
• Oklahoma: 1st through 10th (based on last digit of case number)
• Oregon: 1st through 9th (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Pennsylvania: First 10 business days (based on last digit of case record number)
• Puerto Rico: 4th through 22nd (based on last digit of Social Security number)
• Rhode Island: 1st of the month
• South Carolina: 1st through 19th (based on last digit of case number)
• South Dakota: 10th of the month
• Tennessee: 1st through 20th (based on last two digits of Social Security number)
• Texas: First 15 days (based on last digit of Eligibility Determination Group number)
• Utah: 5th, 11th, or 15th (determined by first letter of last name)
• Vermont: 1st of the month
• Virginia: 1st through 9th (based on last digit of case number)
• Washington: Staggered throughout the month based on your application date and approval date
• Washington, D.C.: 1st through 10th (determined by first letter of last name)
• West Virginia: First 9 days (determined by first letter of last name)
• Wisconsin: First 15 days (based on eighth digit of Social Security number)
• Wyoming: 1st through 4th (determined by first letter of last name)

Where You Can Use Your Reloaded Benefits

Once your EBT card reloads, you can use it at any SNAP-authorized retailer. This includes most supermarkets, farmers markets, many convenience stores, and major retailers like Walmart and Target. Your benefits cover a wide variety of food items including fresh produce, meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, bread, cereal, and other groceries for household use.

Many online grocery delivery services have also begun accepting EBT cards, making it possible to purchase groceries from home. Check with your state’s SNAP office to confirm which online retailers participate in your area.

Key Takeaways About Your SNAP Benefits Reload

The most important thing to remember: your benefits reload on the same predictable date every month. While you might not receive benefits on the exact same day as someone in a neighboring state, you’ll know precisely when to expect yours once you identify your state’s schedule. Take time to verify your individual reload date using your state’s official EBT website or by contacting your local SNAP office directly. This small effort ensures you’re never caught off guard when planning your monthly grocery purchases.

Understanding when your EBT card reloads takes the guesswork out of managing your household food budget and helps you plan your shopping with confidence throughout the year.