Understanding Your EBT Card Reload Date Across All 50 States

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) stands as a critical federal initiative designed to support low-income households in purchasing groceries and essential food items. The program distributes funds monthly through Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards, a system that has become increasingly important for millions of American families. However, one of the most frequently asked questions centers on a simple but crucial detail: when exactly does your EBT card reload each month? The answer isn’t uniform across the country—each state operates on its own specific schedule, and understanding your particular timeline is essential for effective meal planning and household budgeting.

How SNAP Benefits and EBT Reloads Work

The mechanics behind SNAP benefits and EBT reloading are more intricate than many people realize. Rather than receiving physical cash or food stamps, beneficiaries get access to a prepaid debit card loaded with their monthly benefit amount. Each month, states distribute the full benefit load across a staggered calendar spanning anywhere from 10 days to the entire month, depending on where you live.

The distribution system isn’t random. States use specific identifiers to determine when each household receives their benefits. These identifiers typically include the last digit of your Social Security number, the final characters of your case number, the first letter of your last name, or combinations thereof. This staggered approach helps prevent the overwhelming demand that would occur if every recipient received their benefits on the same date.

The benefits themselves can be used at any SNAP-authorized retailer, including major supermarkets, select farmers’ markets, convenience stores, and big-box retailers such as Walmart and Target. Some online grocery platforms also accept EBT payments, expanding access for those unable to shop in person.

Finding Out Your Specific EBT Reload Date

If you’re unsure when your benefits arrive each month, the most straightforward approach is to contact your state’s SNAP administrator directly or visit your state’s official EBT website. Most states maintain a dedicated section explaining their specific reload schedules and allowing you to input your personal information to determine your exact benefit date.

Your case number, Social Security number, or last name becomes the key factor in this calculation. Rather than memorizing a complex algorithm, simply input your information into your state’s system, and it will provide your personalized benefit calendar for the entire year.

State-by-State EBT Reload Schedule Guide

The following breakdown covers the complete EBT reload timeline for all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and U.S. territories:

Alabama: Benefits distribute between the 4th and 23rd of each month, determined by case number.

Alaska, Rhode Island, Vermont, and North Dakota: All provide benefits on the first day of the month.

Arizona: Distribution occurs between the 1st and 13th, based on the initial letter of your last name.

Arkansas: Between the 4th and 13th, calculated from your Social Security number’s final digit.

California: First 10 days, determined by the last digit of your case number.

Colorado: Between the 1st and 10th of the month, based on your Social Security number’s final digit.

Connecticut: The 1st through 3rd, determined by the first letter of your surname.

Delaware: Reloads occur over 23 days beginning on the 2nd, based on your last name’s first letter.

Florida: Between the 1st and 28th, using the 9th and 8th digits of your case number.

Georgia: The 5th through 23rd, determined by the final two digits of your identification number.

Guam and Puerto Rico: Between the 1st and 10th (Guam) or the 4th through 22nd (Puerto Rico), based on Social Security number identifiers.

Hawaii: The 3rd and 5th, determined by first letter of last name.

Idaho and Nevada: First 10 days of the month, based on the final digit of your birth year.

Illinois: Between the 1st and 20th, based on case type and case name combinations.

Indiana: The 5th through 23rd, determined by the first letter of your last name.

Iowa and Kansas: First 10 days, based on the first letter of your surname.

Kentucky: First 19 days, based on Social Security number’s final digit.

Louisiana: Between the 1st and 14th, determined by Social Security number’s last digit.

Maine: The 10th through 14th, based on the final digit of your birthday.

Maryland and Missouri: Between the 4th and 23rd (Maryland) or 1st through 22nd (Missouri), using name-based and birth month identifiers.

Massachusetts: First 14 days of the month, based on Social Security number.

Michigan: The 3rd through 21st, based on the final two digits of your ID number.

Minnesota: The 4th through 13th, determined by case number’s last digit.

Mississippi: The 4th through 21st, based on case number’s final two digits.

Montana: The 2nd through 6th, based on case number’s last digit.

Nebraska: The 1st through 5th, based on the head of household’s Social Security number.

New Hampshire: Benefits arrive on the 5th of each month.

New Jersey: First 5 calendar days, based on the 7th digit of your case number.

New Mexico: First 20 days, based on Social Security number’s final two digits.

New York: Between the 1st and 9th (outside NYC) or spread across 13 non-Sunday, non-holiday dates (NYC only), determined by case number’s last digit.

North Carolina: The 3rd through 21st, based on Social Security number’s last digit.

Ohio: The 2nd through 20th, based on case number’s last digit.

Oklahoma: The 1st through 10th, determined by case number’s last digit.

Oregon: The 1st through 9th, based on Social Security number’s final digit.

Pennsylvania: First 10 business days, based on case record number’s last digit.

South Carolina: The 1st through 19th, determined by case number’s last digit.

South Dakota: Benefits arrive consistently on the 10th.

Tennessee: The 1st through 20th, based on Social Security number’s final two digits.

Texas: First 15 days, based on your Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number’s final digit.

Utah: The 5th, 11th, or 15th, determined by the first letter of your last name.

Virginia: The 1st through 9th, based on case number’s last digit.

Washington: Distribution occurs throughout the month based on your application submission date and approval timeline.

Washington, D.C.: The 1st through 10th, based on the first letter of your surname.

West Virginia: First nine days, determined by the first letter of your last name.

Wisconsin: First 15 days, based on the eighth digit of your Social Security number.

Wyoming: The 1st through 4th, determined by the first letter of your surname.

Where You Can Use Your EBT Card for Purchases

Your EBT card functions as a specialized debit card accepted at virtually all major grocery chains and supermarkets across the country. Beyond traditional supermarkets, you’ll find acceptance at farmers’ markets, certain convenience stores, warehouse retailers like Walmart and Target, and an expanding number of online grocery services. The flexibility of where you can use your benefits has grown substantially, making it easier than ever to access nutritious foods regardless of your shopping preferences or location constraints.

Understanding your specific EBT reload date empowers you to plan your grocery shopping, manage your household budget effectively, and ensure your family has consistent access to the nutrition assistance you’re entitled to receive. By knowing exactly when your benefits arrive, you can maximize your purchasing power and plan meals with confidence throughout each month.