The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides crucial monthly food assistance to millions of Americans, helping households afford groceries. Administered at the state level and funded federally, SNAP benefits are distributed monthly through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, allowing recipients to buy eligible items at participating stores and select online retailers. However, the exact payment dates vary widely by state and sometimes by other factors like case numbers or last names.
Here, we break down SNAP payment schedules for November 2024 across states, plus provide information on D-SNAP for recent hurricane-affected areas.
State-by-State SNAP Payment Dates
| State/Territory | Payment Dates |
|---|---|
| Alabama | November 4 to 23 |
| Alaska | November 1 |
| Arizona | November 1 to 13 |
| Arkansas | November 4 to 13 |
| California | November 1 to 10 |
| Colorado | November 1 to 10 |
| Connecticut | November 1 to 3 |
| Delaware | November 2 to 23 |
| District of Columbia | November 1 to 10 |
| Florida | November 1 to 28 |
| Georgia | November 5 to 23 |
| Guam | November 1 to 10 |
| Hawaii | November 3 to 5 |
| Idaho | November 1 to 10 |
| Illinois | November 1 to 20 |
| Indiana | November 5 to 23 |
| Iowa | November 1 to 10 |
| Kansas | November 1 to 10 |
| Kentucky | November 1 to 19 |
| Louisiana | November 1 to 23 |
| Maine | November 10 to 14 |
| Maryland | November 4 to 23 |
| Massachusetts | November 1 to 14 |
| Michigan | November 3 to 21 |
| Minnesota | November 4 to 13 |
| Mississippi | November 4 to 21 |
| Missouri | November 1 to 22 |
| Montana | November 2 to 6 |
| Nebraska | November 1 to 5 |
| Nevada | November 1 to 10 |
| New Hampshire | November 5 |
| New Jersey | November 1 to 5 |
| New Mexico | November 1 to 20 |
| New York | November 1 to 9 |
| North Carolina | November 3 to 21 |
| North Dakota | November 1 |
| Ohio | November 2 to 20 |
| Oklahoma | November 1 to 10 |
| Oregon | November 1 to 9 |
| Pennsylvania | November 3 to 14 |
| Puerto Rico | November 4 to 22 |
| Rhode Island | November 1 |
| South Carolina | November 1 to 19 |
| South Dakota | November 10 |
| Tennessee | November 1 to 20 |
| Texas | November 1 to 28 |
| Utah | November 5, 11, and 15 |
| Virgin Islands | November 1 |
| Vermont | November 1 |
| Virginia | November 1 to 7 |
| Washington | November 1 to 20 |
| West Virginia | November 1 to 9 |
| Wisconsin | November 1 to 15 |
| Wyoming | November 1 to 4 |
Payment Schedules
While some states, like Alaska and North Dakota, distribute benefits on a single day, others, like Florida and Texas, spread payments over nearly the entire month. This variation is often based on administrative decisions unique to each state, including factors like population and ease of distribution.
Hurricane-Affected States
In response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the USDA has activated D-SNAP, or Disaster SNAP, in selected counties across Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. This special assistance program provides food benefits to households affected by natural disasters who might not typically qualify for SNAP benefits. Estimated eligibility includes:
- Georgia: Approximately 982,930 households
- North Carolina: Around 152,572 households
- Tennessee: About 54,692 households
D-SNAP is only available to households affected by specific qualifying disasters and is managed with state-specific application periods and processes, so residents are encouraged to follow up with local SNAP agencies for the latest information.
In summary, while SNAP payments are critical to household budgets across the country, knowing your specific state’s schedule can help you plan more effectively. And for those in disaster-stricken areas, the temporary D-SNAP program can provide much-needed relief as recovery efforts continue.
FAQs
How is SNAP payment timing determined?
Each state sets its own schedule, based on case numbers, last names, or single-day dates.
Are all SNAP benefits paid monthly?
Yes, all benefits are issued monthly but on varied dates by state.
Can SNAP be used for online grocery shopping?
Yes, EBT cards are accepted at certain online retailers for eligible items.
Who qualifies for D-SNAP?
Disaster-affected households not eligible for regular SNAP may qualify.
Are regular SNAP and D-SNAP benefits the same?
D-SNAP is temporary disaster aid, whereas SNAP is ongoing for eligible low-income households.
