Hey there! Get ready, because the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is gearing up to roll out its next batch of payments, and guess what? If you’re waiting for yours, you’ve got just 8 more days to go until October!
The SNAP Routine for payments
Every month, like clockwork, SNAP lays down the same payment rhythm. The actual date might change depending on where you’re located. Some states prefer the “all-at-once” method, dishing out all their payments in a single day or maybe spread over three days. Others? They like to keep the excitement going and release payments almost all month long.
Here’s a fun fact: Whether it’s your Social Security number, birth date, case number, or even your last name, that’s what decides when you get your payment. And yep, you guessed it – it’s different for every state.
The first checks to go out in bulk
Alright, let’s give a shoutout to Alaska, North Dakota, Rhode Island, and Vermont. These four are always quick on their feet, being the first states to send out SNAP goodies to their folks. And if you’re from one of these states, circle Oct. 1 on your calendar. That’s your day!
States that receive SNAP benefits in October 2023
Wondering about the others? Don’t fret. Every other state, along with the District of Columbia, will be joining the party throughout October. Check out when your state gets in on the action:
- Alabama: Payments are scheduled from October 4th to the 23rd.
- Alaska: The payment is due on October 1st.
- Arizona: Payments will be processed between October 1st and 13th.
- Arkansas: The schedule spans from October 4th to 13th.
- California: Payments are set from October 1st to 10th.
- Colorado: Payments are scheduled from the 1st to the 10th of October.
- Connecticut: Payments will be processed from October 1st to 3rd.
- Delaware: The payment window is from October 2nd to 23rd.
- District of Columbia: Payments are due from October 1st to 10th.
- Florida: The schedule spans from October 1st to 28th.
- Georgia: Payments are scheduled from October 5th to 23rd.
- Hawaii: The window for payments is from October 3rd to 5th.
- Idaho: Payments are due from October 1st to 10th.
- Illinois: Payments for the month are due from October 1st to 10th, while older cases have an extended window from October 1st to 20th.
- Indiana: The schedule for payments runs from October 5th to 23rd.
- Iowa: Payments are scheduled from October 1st to 10th.
- Kansas: Payments are to be made from October 1st to 10th.
- Kentucky: The payment window is from October 1st to 19th.
- Louisiana: Payments are due from October 1st to 23rd.
- Maine: The window for payments spans from October 10th to 14th.
- Maryland: Payments are scheduled from October 4th to 23rd.
- Massachusetts: The schedule for payments is from October 1st to 14th.
- Michigan: Payments will be processed from October 3rd to 21st.
- Minnesota: Payments are due from October 4th to 13th.
- Mississippi: The window for payments spans from October 4th to 21st.
- Missouri: Payments are scheduled from October 1st to 22nd.
- Montana: The payment schedule runs from October 2nd to 6th.
- Nebraska: Payments are due from October 1st to 5th.
- Nevada: The payment window spans from October 1st to 10th.
- New Hampshire: Payment is due on October 5th.
- New Jersey: Payments are scheduled from October 1st to 5th.
- New Mexico: Payments will be processed from October 1st to 20th.
- New York: The window for payments spans from October 1st to 9th.
- North Carolina: Payments are due from October 3rd to 21st.
- North Dakota: Payment is due on October 1st.
- Ohio: Payments will be processed from October 2nd to 20th.
- Oklahoma: The payment window spans from October 1st to 10th.
- Oregon: Payments are due from October 1st to 9th.
- Pennsylvania: The schedule spans from October 3rd to 14th.
- Rhode Island: Payment is due on October 1st.
- South Carolina: Payments will be processed from October 1st to 10th.
- South Dakota: Payment is due on October 10th.
- Tennessee: The payment window spans from October 1st to 20th.
- Texas: Payments are scheduled from October 1st to 28th.
- Utah: Payments are due on October 5th, 11th, and 15th.
- Vermont: Payment is due on October 1st.
- Virginia: Payments will be processed from October 1st to 7th.
- Washington: The window for payments spans from October 1st to 20th.
- West Virginia: Payments are due from October 1st to 9th.
- Wisconsin: The payment schedule is from October 1st to 15th.
- Wyoming: Payments are to be made from October 1st to 4th.
The Magic Card: EBT
All set SNAP members will get their benefits through the EBT card, which works pretty much like your everyday debit card. From popping down to your local farmers market to doing a grocery run or even some online shopping, this card’s got you covered.
States with a higher pinch of poverty often have more SNAP members. And the bucks you get? Well, that’s a mix of where you live, your income, and specific state rules.
For most places, except our friends in Alaska and Hawaii, a typical monthly SNAP boost for a trio household is around $577, maxing out at $740. And for a family party of eight? They’re looking at an average of $1,150, but it could go up to $1,691. Got a bigger squad? Add up to $211 for each extra member.
Remember, while the words might sound different, the essence remains the same. Here’s to hoping your October is filled with abundance and good vibes!
How are SNAP payment dates determined?
In many cases, SNAP benefit payments are staggered throughout the month based on different coding options such as the recipient’s SNAP case number, Social Security number, or even their last name. For instance, in some states like Arizona, the benefits are made available over the first 13 calendar days of the month, based on the first letter of the client’s last name. In others like Arkansas, benefits are made available over eight days, between the fourth and the 13th of every month, based on the last digit of the recipient’s Social Security number.
In Texas, for SNAP households certified after June 1, 2020, benefits are available on a staggered basis between the 16th and the 28th day of the month, based on the last two digits of the eligibility determination group number. For those certified before this date, benefits are made available over 15 days, beginning on the first of the month and based on the last digit in the eligibility determination group number.
In New York, benefits are generally made available based on the last digit of the client’s case number for all counties, except the five boroughs of New York City. For NYC cases, benefit postings are spread out over 13 different days that are not Sundays or holidays, during the first two weeks of each month.