Understanding Your EBT Card Refill Schedule Across All States

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides crucial monthly financial support to low-income families, enabling them to purchase groceries and food items. One common question recipients ask is: when does my ebt card refill? The answer depends on which state you live in and specific personal factors like your Social Security number or case file details. Most beneficiaries receive their funds between the 1st and the 28th of each month, though the exact date varies. In 2026, the deposit schedule remains consistent with previous years, distributed across states based on individual identification criteria.

The funds are transferred electronically onto your prepaid Electronic Benefits Transfer card, which functions like a debit card. This food assistance card works at most supermarkets, farmers’ markets, and major retailers nationwide.

How Often Does Your Food Assistance Card Get Refilled?

For those newly approved for SNAP eligibility, benefits typically deposit during the first ten days of the month. The specific date you receive your monthly allocation depends on factors established by your individual state, particularly the last digit of your Social Security number, the first letter of your surname, or your case identification number.

To find your exact refill date, visit your state’s official EBT provider website and locate your state in their information portal. This will give you the precise schedule customized to your circumstances. It’s important to note that while all beneficiaries across the country receive their allocations throughout each month, the distribution spans multiple days—meaning not everyone gets refunded on the same date.

Key points about how SNAP funds work:

• Your benefits arrive on a prepaid card loaded with your monthly allocation amount
• You can purchase eligible food items including produce, proteins, grains, dairy, and frozen items
• Each state controls its own distribution schedule as part of their social services administration
• Timing is determined by individual identifiers specific to your case

State-by-State EBT Refill Timing Guide

The refill dates vary significantly depending on your location. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of when funds are credited to cards across all 50 states, plus Washington D.C. and U.S. territories:

Alabama: 4th through 23rd of each month (varies by case number)

Alaska: The 1st of each 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: Throughout the first 10 days (depends on last digit of case number)

Colorado: 1st through 10th (determined by Social Security number final digit)

Connecticut: 1st through 3rd (based on first letter of surname)

Delaware: 2nd through 24th (23 days total, sorted by first letter of last name)

Florida: 1st through 28th (determined by specific digits of case number)

Georgia: 5th through 23rd (based on last two digits of ID number)

Guam: 1st through 10th

Hawaii: 3rd or 5th (depends on first letter of surname)

Idaho: During first 10 days (sorted by 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 surname)

Iowa: First 10 days (sorted by first letter of last name)

Kansas: First 10 days (based on first letter of surname)

Kentucky: 1st through 19th (determined by Social Security number final digit)

Louisiana: 1st through 14th (based on final digit of Social Security number)

Maine: 10th through 14th (sorted by final digit of birth date)

Maryland: 4th through 23rd (determined by first letter of surname)

Massachusetts: First 14 days (based on Social Security number final digit)

Michigan: 3rd through 21st (determined by last two digits of ID)

Minnesota: 4th through 13th (based on case number final digit)

Mississippi: 4th through 21st (sorted by last two digits of case number)

Missouri: 1st through 22nd (determined by birth month and surname)

Montana: 2nd through 6th (based on case number final digit)

Nebraska: 1st through 5th (determined by head of household’s Social Security number final digit)

Nevada: First 10 days (sorted by final digit of birth year)

New Hampshire: The 5th of each month

New Jersey: First 5 calendar days (based on 7th digit of case number)

New Mexico: First 20 days (determined by last two digits of Social Security number)

New York: 1st through 9th (except New York City, where funds load over 13 non-Sunday/non-holiday days, based on case number final digit)

North Carolina: 3rd through 21st (determined by Social Security number final digit)

North Dakota: The 1st of each month

Ohio: 2nd through 20th (based on case number final digit)

Oklahoma: 1st through 10th (determined by case number final digit)

Oregon: 1st through 9th (based on Social Security number final digit)

Pennsylvania: First 10 business days (determined by case record number final digit)

Puerto Rico: 4th through 22nd (based on Social Security number final digit)

Rhode Island: The 1st of each month

South Carolina: 1st through 19th (determined by case number final digit)

South Dakota: The 10th of each month

Tennessee: 1st through 20th (based on last two digits of Social Security number)

Texas: First 15 days (determined by Eligibility Determination Group number final digit)

Utah: 5th, 11th, or 15th (varies by first letter of surname)

Vermont: The 1st of each month

Virginia: 1st through 9th (based on case number final digit)

Washington: Distributed throughout the month according to your application submission and approval dates

Washington, D.C.: 1st through 10th (determined by first letter of surname)

West Virginia: 1st through 9th (based on first letter of surname)

Wisconsin: First 15 days (determined by the 8th digit of Social Security number)

Wyoming: 1st through 4th (based on first letter of surname)

Where You Can Use Your Refilled Benefits

Once your food assistance card is refilled each month, you can spend those funds at any SNAP-authorized retailer. This includes traditional supermarkets, specialty grocers, farmers’ markets, convenience stores, and big-box retailers like Walmart and Target. An expanding number of online grocery platforms also accept EBT payments, allowing you to shop remotely for eligible items.

Understanding when does my ebt card refill helps you plan your monthly groceries more effectively and manage your food budget strategically. Since deposit schedules remain relatively consistent month-to-month within each state, you can anticipate your refill date and organize your shopping accordingly. Whether you receive your allocation early in the month or toward the end, the system ensures that all eligible families across the nation have regular access to nutrition assistance throughout the year.

Caitlyn Moorhead contributed research to this article.

This article was originally published on GOBankingRates.com and has been updated for 2026.