Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits go out every month to millions of Americans in need of healthy foods.
The exact payment date depends on the state you live in and several other factors, but millions will see their benefits arrive this week.
Why It Matters
More than 40 million Americans rely on SNAP to secure healthy food from their local grocery stores every month.
To qualify, you typically have to meet a certain income threshold for your household size.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
What To Know
This week, millions of Americans will see their SNAP EBT benefits arrive across several states.
Alabama
In Alabama, payments arrive based on the individual’s case number:
• Case number ends in: 00-04 = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• Case number ends in: 05-09 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• Case number ends in: 10-14 = benefits available on the 6th of the month
• Case number ends in: 15-19 = benefits available on the 7th of the month
Arizona
Arizona takes a slightly different approach and sends out payments based on recipients’ last names.
• First Letter of the Last Name is: A or B = benefits available on the 1st
• First Letter of the Last Name is: C or D = benefits available on the 2nd
• First Letter of the Last Name is: E or F = benefits available on the 3rd
• First Letter of the Last Name is: G or H = benefits available on the 4th
• First Letter of the Last Name is: I or J = benefits available on the 5th
• First Letter of the Last Name is: K or L = benefits available on the 6th
• First Letter of the Last Name is: M or N = benefits available on the 7th
Arkansas
Arkansas SNAP recipients earn their benefits based on Social Security number, however. That means a number of residents could get their payments this week:
• SSN ends in 0 or 1 = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• SSN ends in 2 or 3 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
California
Like many other states, California follows a schedule based on case number.
• Case # ends in: 1 = benefits available on the 1st of the month
• Case # ends in: 2 = benefits available on the 2nd of the month
• Case # ends in: 3 = benefits available on the 3rd of the month
• Case # ends in: 4 = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• Case # ends in: 5 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• Case # ends in: 6 = benefits available on the 6th of the month
• Case # ends in: 7 = benefits available on the 7th of the month
Colorado
Colorado residents should be aware of the SNAP payment schedule, which is decided by Social Security number.
• SSN ends in 1 = benefits available on the 1st of the month
• SSN ends in 2 = benefits available on the 2nd of the month
• SSN ends in 3 = benefits available on the 3rd of the month
• SSN ends in 4 = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• SSN ends in 5 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• SSN ends in 6 = benefits available on the 6th of the month
• SSN ends in 7 = benefits available on the 7th of the month
Connecticut
In Connecticut, your calendar day SNAP payment schedule depends on your last name, with the state splitting up payments across three days.
- A-F = Benefits are available on the first calendar day.
- G-N = Benefits are available on the 2nd calendar day.
- O-Z = Benefits are available on the 3rd calendar day.
Delaware
Many Delaware residents will see their SNAP benefits arrive in the first week of February.
• First Letter of the Last Name is: A = benefits available on the 2nd
• First Letter of the Last Name is: B = benefits available on the 3rd
• First Letter of the Last Name is: C = benefits available on the 4th
• First Letter of the Last Name is: D = benefits available on the 5th
• First Letter of the Last Name is: E = benefits available on the 6th
• First Letter of the Last Name is: F = benefits available on the 7th
Florida
Floridians must take note of some special details related to their case number to figure out when their SNAP payments will show up.
• Case number 9th and 8th digit: 00-03 = benefits available on the 1st
• Case number 9th and 8th digit: 04-06 = benefits available on the 2nd
• Case number 9th and 8th digit: 07-10 = benefits available on the 3rd
• Case number 9th and 8th digit: 11-13 = benefits available on the 4th
• Case number 9th and 8th digit: 14-17 = benefits available on the 5th
• Case number 9th and 8th digit: 18-20 = benefits available on the 6th
• Case number 9th and 8th digit: 21-24 = benefits available on the 7th
Georgia
Two groups in Georgia will see their SNAP money arrive in the first week of the month.
• ID # ends in: 00-09 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• ID # ends in: 10-19 = benefits available on the 7th of the month
Hawaii
Everyone on SNAP in Hawaii gets their payments in the first week of the month, but the exact date could vary.
• First Letter of the Last Name is: A – I = benefits available on the 3rd
• First Letter of the Last Name is: J – Z = benefits available on the 5th
Idaho
For SNAP payments in Idaho, your birth year could have a major influence on whether the benefits arrive at the beginning or end of the month.
• Last digit of birth year ends in: 1 = benefits available on the 1st of the month
• Last digit of birth year ends in: 2 = benefits available on the 2nd of the month
• Last digit of birth year ends in: 3 = benefits available on the 3rd of the month
• Last digit of birth year ends in: 4 = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• Last digit of birth year ends in: 5 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• Last digit of birth year ends in: 6 = benefits available on the 6th of the month
• Last digit of birth year ends in: 7 = benefits available on the 7th of the month
Illinois
Beginning in October 2017, Illinois-mandated benefits would be made available between the 1st and the 10th of the month based on the month previously established based on the last digit of the Head of Household Individual ID number.
Indiana
Several groups will earn their SNAP benefits this week in Indiana. That includes:
• First Letter of the Last Name is: A or B = benefits available on the 5th
• First Letter of the Last Name is: C or D = benefits available on the 7th
Iowa
Iowa also bases its SNAP payment schedule on the last names of recipients.
• First Letter of the Last Name is: A or B = benefits available on the 1st
• First Letter of the Last Name is: C or D = benefits available on the 2nd
• First Letter of the Last Name is: E, F, or G = benefits available on the 3rd
• First Letter of the Last Name is: H or I = benefits available on the 4th
• First Letter of the Last Name is: J, K, or L = benefits available on the 5th
• First Letter of the Last Name is: M, N, or O = benefits available on the 6th
• First Letter of the Last Name is: P, Q, or R = benefits available on the 7th
Kansas
Kansas follows a very similar schedule to Iowans for SNAP payment dates.
• First Letter of the Last Name is: A or B = benefits available on the 1st
• First Letter of the Last Name is: C or D = benefits available on the 2nd
• First Letter of the Last Name is: E, F, or G = benefits available on the 3rd
• First Letter of the Last Name is: H, I, or J = benefits available on the 4th
• First Letter of the Last Name is: K or L = benefits available on the 5th
• First Letter of the Last Name is: M = benefits available on the 6th
• First Letter of the Last Name is: N, O, P, Q, or R = benefits available on the 7th
Kentucky
Only some Kentucky residents will see SNAP payments arrive in the first week of February, and that depends on their SNAP case number.
• Case number ends in 0 = benefits available on the 1st of the month
• Case number ends in 1 = benefits available on the 3rd of the month
• Case number ends in 2 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• Case number ends in 3 = benefits available on the 7th of the month
Louisiana
Louisiana, meanwhile, divides their SNAP payment dates based on recipients’ Social Security numbers, with several recipients set to get benefits this week:
• SSN ends in 0 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• SSN ends in 1 = benefits available on the 7th of the month
Maryland
Maryland will issue SNAP payments based on the first three letters of recipients’ last names, including in the first week of February.
• First three letters of last name between: AAA and BAO = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• First three letters of the last name are between: BAP and BQZ = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• First three letters of the last name are between: BRA and CAQ = benefits available on the 6th of the month
• First three letters of the last name are between: CAR and COQ = benefits available on the 7th of the month
Massachusetts
The state of Massachusetts sends out SNAP payments to select recipients all throughout the first week of February:
• SSN ends in 0 = benefits available on the 1st of the month
• SSN ends in 1 = benefits available on the 2nd of the month
• SSN ends in 2 = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• SSN ends in 3 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• SSN ends in 4 = benefits available on the 7th of the month
Michigan
Michigan residents will need to know their recipient ID number to figure out if their SNAP payments arrive this week.
• Recipient ID # ends in: 0 = benefits available on the 3rd of the month
• Recipient ID # ends in: 1 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• Recipient ID # ends in: 2= benefits available on the 7th of the month
Minnesota
Minnesota adopts a similar system, sending out recipients’ SNAP payments based on their case number.
• Case # ends in: 4 = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• Case # ends in: 5 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• Case # ends in: 6 = benefits available on the 6th of the month
• Case # ends in: 7 = benefits available on the 7th of the month
Mississippi
Mississippi SNAP recipients likewise should check their case number to determine their payment date this month.
• Case # ends in: 00-04 = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• Case # ends in: 05-10 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• Case # ends in: 11-16 = benefits available on the 6th of the month
• Case # ends in: 17-22 = benefits available on the 7th of the month
Missouri
Your birth month determines the day SNAP benefits are released in Missouri.
• Birth month is January and first letter of last name is A-K = benefits available on the 1st of the month
• Birth month is January and first letter of last name is L-Z = benefits available on the 2nd of the month
• Birth month is February and first letter of last name is A-K = benefits available on the 3rd of the month
• Birth month is February and first letter of last name is L-Z = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• Birth month is March and first letter of last name is A-K = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• Birth month is March and first letter of last name is L-Z = benefits available on the 6th the month
• Birth month is April and first letter of last name is A-Z = benefits available on the 7th of the month
Montana
All Montana SNAP recipients get their money in the first week of February, but the exact date could vary.
• TEAMS case # ends in: 0 or 1 = benefits available on the 2nd of the month
• TEAMS case # ends in: 2 or 3 = benefits available on the 3rd of the month
• TEAMS case # ends in: 4 or 5 = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• TEAMS case # ends in: 6 or 7 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• TEAMS case # ends in: 8 or 9 = benefits available on the 6th of the month
Nebraska
The same is true in Nebraska, but the date depends on your Social Security number.
• SSN ends in 1 or 2 = benefits available on the 1st of the month
• SSN ends in 3 or 4 = benefits available on the 2nd of the month
• SSN ends in 5 or 6 = benefits available on the 3rd of the month
• SSN ends in 7 or 8 = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• SSN ends in 9 or 0 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
Nevada
Once again, in Nevada, birth year can have a significant impact on whether your SNAP payment arrives earlier or later in the month. Many will see their money in the first week of February.
• Last digit of birth year ends in: 1 = benefits available on the 1st of the month
• Last digit of birth year ends in: 2 = benefits available on the 2nd of the month
• Last digit of birth year ends in: 3 = benefits available on the 3rd of the month
• Last digit of birth year ends in: 4 = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• Last digit of birth year ends in: 5 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• Last digit of birth year ends in: 6 = benefits available on the 6th of the month
• Last digit of birth year ends in: 7 = benefits available on the 7th of the month
New Jersey
All New Jersey residents should anticipate their SNAP benefits arriving this week.
• Case number ends in: 1 or 2 = benefits available on the 1st of the month
• Case number ends in: 3 or 4 = benefits available on the 2nd of the month
• Case number ends in: 5 or 6 = benefits available on the 3rd of the month
• Case number ends in: 7 or 8 = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• Case number ends in: 9 or 0 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
New Mexico
In New Mexico, the state sends out payments in the first 20 days of the month, but your Social Security number determines the exact date.
• SSN ends in: 11, 31, 51, 71, 91 = benefits available on the 1st of the month
• SSN ends in: 01, 21, 41, 61, 81 = benefits available on the 2nd of the month
• SSN ends in: 12, 32, 52, 72, 92 = benefits available on the 3rd of the month
• SSN ends in: 02, 22, 42, 62, 82 = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• SSN ends in: 13, 33, 53, 73, 93 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• SSN ends in: 03, 23, 43, 63, 83 = benefits available on the 6th of the month
• SSN ends in: 14, 34, 54, 74, 94 = benefits available on the 7th of the month
New York
New York issues SNAP payments based on case number.
• Case number ends in: 0 or 1 = benefits available on the 1st of the month
• Case number ends in: 2 = benefits available on the 2nd of the month
• Case number ends in: 3 = benefits available on the 3rd of the month
• Case number ends in: 4 = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• Case number ends in: 5 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• Case number ends in: 6 = benefits available on the 6th of the month
• Case number ends in: 7 = benefits available on the 7th of the month
North Carolina
Three groups will earn SNAP benefits this week in North Carolina.
• SSN ends in 1 = benefits available on the 3rd of the month
• SSN ends in 2 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• SSN ends in 3 = benefits available on the 7th of the month
Ohio
Ohio will deposit SNAP payments based on each individual recipient’s case number, sending out money throughout the month.
• Case number ending in 0 = benefits available on the 2nd of the month
• Case number ending in 1 = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• Case number ending in 2 = benefits available on the 6th of the month
Oklahoma
Oklahoma follows a similar schedule to Ohio, with many seeing payments during the first week of the month.
• Case numbers ending in: 0 -3 = benefits available on the 1st of the month
• Case numbers ending in: 4 -6 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• Case numbers ending in: 0 -3 = benefits available on the 1st of the month
• Case numbers ending in: 4 -6 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
Oregon
In Oregon, many residents could also see SNAP benefits arrive this week.
• SSN ends in 0 or 1 = benefits available on the 1st of the month
• SSN ends in 2 = benefits available on the 2nd of the month
• SSN ends in 3 = benefits available on the 3rd of the month
• SSN ends in 4 = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• SSN ends in 5 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• SSN ends in 6 = benefits available on the 6th of the month
• SSN ends in 7 = benefits available on the 7th of the month
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania sends out SNAP payments over the first 10 business days of each month based on the last digit of the 7-digit case record number. However, the exact date is based on each county’s payment schedule.
South Carolina
If you’re waiting for your SNAP payment in South Carolina this week, you’ll need to be aware of your SNAP case number.
• SNAP case # ends in: 1 = benefits available on the 1st of the month
• SNAP case # ends in: 2 = benefits available on the 2nd of the month
• SNAP case # ends in: 3 = benefits available on the 3rd of the month
• SNAP case # ends in: 4 = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• SNAP case # ends in: 5 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• SNAP case # ends in: 6 = benefits available on the 6th of the month
• SNAP case # ends in: 7 = benefits available on the 7th of the month
Tennessee
Several Tennesseeans will score their SNAP payments this month, depending on the last two digits of their Social Security number:
• 00-04 = benefits available on the 1st of the month
• 05-09 = benefits available on the 2nd of the month
• 10-14 = benefits available on the 3rd of the month
• 15-19 = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• 20-24 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
• 25-29 = benefits available on the 6th of the month
• 30-34 = benefits available on the 7th of the month
Utah
If you live in Utah and earn SNAP benefits, you’ll get your payment on February 5 if the first letter of your last name is between A and G. Otherwise, payments will arrive later in the month.
Virginia
All Virginians who rely on SNAP will receive payments in the first week of February, but the exact date could vary:
• FS case number ends in: 0-3 = benefits available on the 1st of the month
• FS case number ends in: 4-5 = benefits available on the 4th of the month
• FS case number ends in: 6-9 = benefits available on the 7th of the month
Washington
Washington sends out its SNAP payments from February 1 to February 20.
West Virginia
The majority of West Virginia SNAP recipients will also earn their payments in the first week of the month.
• First Letter of the Last Name is: B, X, Y, or Z = benefits available on the 1st
• First Letter of the Last Name is: C or F = benefits available on the 2nd
• First Letter of the Last Name is: H, N, or V = benefits available on the 3rd
• First Letter of the Last Name is: I, M, O, or U = benefits available on the 4th
• First Letter of the Last Name is: Q or S = benefits available on the 5th
• First Letter of the Last Name is: A or W = benefits available on the 6th
• First Letter of the Last Name is: J, K, or P = benefits available on the 7th
Wisconsin
Wisconsin bases its SNAP payment date based on Social Security number.
• Eight digit of the SSN is: 0 = benefits are issued on the 2nd of each month
• Eight digit of the SSN is: 1 = benefits are issued on the 3rd of each month
• Eight digit of the SSN is: 2 = benefits are issued on the 5th of each month
• Eight digit of the SSN is: 3 = benefits are issued on the 6th of each month
Wyoming
While everyone who earns SNAP payments in Wyoming will get them the first week of February, your exact payment date is determined by your last name.
• First Letter of the Last Name is: A – D = benefits available on the 1st
• First Letter of the Last Name is: E – K = benefits available on the 2nd
• First Letter of the Last Name is: L – R = benefits available on the 3rd
• First Letter of the Last Name is: S – Z = benefits available on the 4th
Several other states, meanwhile, send out all SNAP benefits on the first of the month. This includes Alaska, North Dakota, Rhode Island and Vermont.
New Hampshire, meanwhile, sends out payments on February 5, and South Dakota sends out benefits on February 10.
What People Are Saying
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, previously told Newsweek: “Most of the changes to SNAP are pretty standard, with cost-of-living adjustments and income requirements being in line with expectations. However, the payment schedule in your state may vary. Every state is allowed to pick its own monthly distribution dates, and while some states follow the standard 1st and 28th day of the month, others do not.”
What Happens Next
The states not listed send out SNAP benefits later in the month, so recipients will have to wait at least a week for their next payment.
Starting in January, the maximum amount available to an individual on SNAP increased to $292 per month, up by $1 from $291. For a household with four people, it grew by $2 from $973 per month to $975.
