How to Find Out When Your EBT Card Reloads Each Month

Wondering when your EBT card reloads? If you’re receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, understanding your specific reload schedule is essential for managing your household food budget. The good news is that your benefits arrive on a predictable date every month—you just need to know how to find out when that date is for your situation.

The timing of when your EBT card reloads varies significantly by state, and sometimes even within states. Most recipients receive their benefits between the 1st and 23rd of each month, with the exact date determined by factors related to your case information. The easiest way to discover your specific EBT reload date is to visit the official SNAP website and locate your state in the “EBT in My State” dropdown menu. This tool will provide your customized schedule based on your individual circumstances.

Understanding Your EBT Reload Schedule

Your Electronic Benefits Transfer card operates as a prepaid debit card loaded with your monthly SNAP benefits. Rather than processing all payments on the same day across the entire country, individual states manage their own payment schedules to distribute the workload evenly throughout the month.

The date you receive your benefits each month is typically determined by one of these factors: the last digit of your Social Security number, the first letter of your last name, your case number, your birth year, or a combination of these identifiers. This system ensures that state payment systems aren’t overwhelmed by processing millions of transactions simultaneously.

Most states distribute benefits over a 10- to 20-day window during the month. For example, recipients might receive their benefits anywhere from the 1st through the 20th of the month, depending on which specific identifier your state uses to stagger payments. A few states maintain simplified schedules, depositing benefits on the same day for all recipients—typically on the first day of the month.

State-by-State EBT Deposit Timeline

Here’s how benefits are distributed across all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and U.S. territories:

Early-Month States (1st-10th): Alaska, Delaware, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York (outside NYC), North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Washington D.C., and Wyoming receive benefits early in the month, with specific dates based on identifiers like last name initials or Social Security number.

Mid-Month States (11th-15th): Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York City, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia process benefits mid-month, typically between the 3rd and 23rd.

State-Specific Details:

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

U.S. Territories:

• Guam: 1st-10th
• Puerto Rico: 4th-22nd

Using Your SNAP Benefits

Once you understand when your EBT card reloads, you’ll want to know where you can use those benefits. Your SNAP benefits card works at any SNAP-authorized retailer, which includes most supermarkets, many farmers’ markets, convenience stores, and major retailers like Walmart and Target. You can also use your EBT card with select online grocery delivery services, making it easier to access food options that work for your family’s needs.

Your benefits can purchase a wide variety of food items for household consumption, including fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, breads, cereals, snacks, and frozen foods. Hot or prepared foods, alcohol, and tobacco items are not eligible for SNAP benefits.

Checking Your Reload Date

If you’re still unsure about your specific EBT card reload date, visit your state’s official SNAP website or contact your local SNAP office for personalized information. Many states now provide online portals where you can check your case status, remaining balance, and transaction history. Having this information readily available helps you plan your grocery shopping and budget your monthly food expenses more effectively.