Understanding When Your EBT Card Refills: A Complete State-by-State Guide

Your SNAP benefits arrive on your EBT card each month, but when does your EBT card refill? That depends on where you live and several personal factors used to stagger payments across the month. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps low-income families purchase groceries by providing monthly financial assistance through an Electronic Benefits Transfer card—essentially a prepaid debit card loaded with your benefit amount.

The timing varies significantly by state, as each state manages its own payment schedule. In most cases throughout 2026, cash benefits continue to be deposited on the same day monthly, determined by factors such as your Social Security number, last name, case number, or specific account details. Understanding when your refill occurs is crucial for meal planning and budgeting.

How EBT Card Refill Schedules Work

So when does your EBT card refill each month? In the majority of states, benefits for new SNAP applicants are distributed between the 1st and 10th of the month. Your specific refill date is determined by a personal identifier—typically the final digit of your Social Security number, the first letter of your surname, or your case number.

Finding your exact EBT card refill date is straightforward. Visit your state’s official EBT program website and locate the “EBT in My State” section to match your identifier with the corresponding deposit date. This three-step process takes just minutes and eliminates guesswork.

Here are the fundamental principles behind how SNAP operates:

• After approval, your SNAP assistance is transferred via a prepaid card that functions like a standard debit card with benefits pre-loaded
• This card works at most grocery stores, farmers’ markets, some convenience outlets, and major retailers including Walmart and Target
• Each state independently determines its payment distribution schedule as part of the broader social services system
• While all SNAP recipients receive their monthly benefits throughout 2026, the specific payment dates differ based on state rules and personal identifiers
• Online grocery delivery services also accept EBT for food purchases in select locations

State-by-State EBT Card Refill Timeline

Different states implement varying schedules for when EBT card refill occurs. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown for all 50 states, plus Washington D.C. and U.S. territories:

Alabama: Refill between the 4th-23rd based on case number

Alaska: Monthly refill on the 1st

Arizona: Distribution from 1st-13th determined by last name’s first letter

Arkansas: Refill 4th-13th according to Social Security number’s last digit

California: Deposits during first 10 days, scheduled by case number’s final digit

Colorado: Monthly refill 1st-10th based on Social Security number’s last digit

Connecticut: Refill 1st-3rd of the month, organized by surname’s first letter

Delaware: Staggered over 23 days beginning the 2nd, sorted by last name’s initial

Florida: Distribution spans 1st-28th using the 8th and 9th case number digits

Georgia: Refill 5th-23rd determined by final two digits of ID number

Guam: Monthly refill 1st-10th

Hawaii: Deposits on the 3rd or 5th depending on first letter of last name

Idaho: First 10 days of the month based on birth year’s final digit

Illinois: Refill 1st-20th using combination of case type and case name

Indiana: Distribution 5th-23rd organized by surname’s first letter

Iowa: Refill during first 10 days sorted by last name’s initial

Kansas: Monthly refill 1st-10th based on surname’s first letter

Kentucky: Deposits 1st-19th according to Social Security number’s last digit

Louisiana: Refill 1st-14th scheduled by final digit of Social Security number

Maine: Distribution 10th-14th using last digit of birthday

Maryland: Refill 4th-23rd organized by last name’s first letter

Massachusetts: Deposits 1st-14th based on Social Security number’s final digit

Michigan: Refill 3rd-21st using final two ID number digits

Minnesota: Distribution 4th-13th scheduled by case number’s final digit

Mississippi: Refill 4th-21st determined by final two case number digits

Missouri: Deposits 1st-22nd using birth month combined with last name

Montana: Refill 2nd-6th based on case number’s final digit

Nebraska: Distribution 1st-5th scheduled by head of household Social Security number’s last digit

Nevada: Refill 1st-10th using birth year’s final digit

New Hampshire: Monthly deposits on the 5th

New Jersey: Refill during first 5 calendar days based on case number’s 7th digit

New Mexico: Distribution 1st-20th organized by Social Security number’s final two digits

New York: Refill 1st-9th (except NYC where benefits load over 13 non-holiday days) using case number’s final digit

North Carolina: Deposits 3rd-21st based on Social Security number’s last digit

North Dakota: Monthly refill on the 1st

Ohio: Distribution 2nd-20th scheduled by case number’s final digit

Oklahoma: Refill 1st-10th using final digit of case number

Oregon: Deposits 1st-9th based on Social Security number’s last digit

Pennsylvania: Refill during first 10 business days according to case record number’s final digit

Puerto Rico: Distribution 4th-22nd scheduled by Social Security number’s final digit

Rhode Island: Monthly refill on the 1st

South Carolina: Deposits 1st-19th using case number’s final digit

South Dakota: Monthly refill on the 10th

Tennessee: Distribution 1st-20th organized by final two Social Security number digits

Texas: Refill 1st-15th based on Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number’s final digit

Utah: Deposits on the 5th, 11th, or 15th according to last name’s first letter

Vermont: Monthly refill on the 1st

Virginia: Distribution 1st-9th scheduled by case number’s final digit

Washington: EBT card refill staggered throughout the month based on application date and approval date

Washington, D.C.: Deposits 1st-10th organized by surname’s first letter

West Virginia: Refill 1st-9th determined by first letter of last name

Wisconsin: Distribution 1st-15th scheduled by eighth digit of Social Security number

Wyoming: Refill 1st-4th based on first letter of last name

Using Your EBT Card for Purchases

Once your EBT card refill completes each month, you can use your benefits at any SNAP-authorized location. Eligible retailers include major supermarket chains, neighborhood grocery stores, select farmers’ markets, convenience stores, and large retailers. Most online grocery delivery services also accept EBT for food orders.

Your SNAP benefits cover essential food items including fresh produce, proteins, dairy products, grains, and other household staples. Non-food items cannot be purchased, but the range of eligible food products remains broad and supports healthy eating choices.

By understanding when your EBT card refill occurs in your specific state, you can better plan your monthly grocery shopping and meal preparation. Check your state’s EBT program website to confirm your exact deposit date based on your personal identifier, ensuring you never miss important monthly assistance.