Although the SNAP benefits program, formerly known as food stamps, is funded from the federal government, with money from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), each state has the freedom to define its calendars and payment mechanism each month.
That’s why each state and territory that has SNAP benefits program sets the dates based on their particularities and the ability to manage their payment systems. A group of states start paying their beneficiaries as of this April 1st, and others have different start dates. We have grouped the statuses by start date so that you can find your payment date more easily.
Snap Benefits Payments That Start on April 1st and Other Dates
The states that start paying SNAP benefits, up to $1,751 (we’ll tell you later who qualifies for that amount), on April 1st, are the following: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Guam, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Virgin Islands, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and. Wyoming.
The payment date is different in the states of Montana and Ohio, which begin sending transfers to EBT cards on April 2, or the states of Hawaii, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, which pay their beneficiaries on April 3.
Payday is April 4 for the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, and Puerto Rico. April 5 is for Georgia, Indiana, New Hampshire, and Utah (in the case of Utah, there are two more payment dates, according to the group of beneficiaries).
On April 10, families in Maine and South Dakota receive their money, on April 11, those in Utah (the second group of beneficiaries), on April 14, it is the time for Massachusetts households.
April SNAP Payment Dates from 15th to 28th
Between April 15 and April 28, payments are still being sent to beneficiaries of the month, because there are still states to start and complete their payment schedules. They are as follows:
Starting on April 15th:
- Wisconsin
Starting on April 19:
- Kentucky
Starting on April 20:
- New Mexico
- Tennessee
- Washington
Starting on April 21:
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
Starting on April 22:
- Puerto Rico
Starting on April 23:
- Alabama
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Maryland
- West Virginia
How Much Will I Receive in SNAP Benefits This Month?
Some positive news for the fiscal year 2024 is the increase in SNAP benefits, which now reach a maximum of $1,751 for a household of up to 8 people. These increases represent a significant support for the families that depend on this food assistance program. The following are the amounts allocated according to the size of the household:
- 1-person households: $291
- 2-person households: $535
- 3 people households: $766
- 4 people households: $973
- 5 people households: $1,155
- 6 people households: $1,386
- 7 people households: $1,532
- 8 people households: $1,751
- In addition, each additional person in the household receives a supplemental amount of $219, reflecting SNAP’s ongoing commitment to effectively supporting families.
The food stamps benefits can be utilized to purchase a wide range of food items. Eligible purchases include staple foods, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, cereals, and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as seeds and plants for growing food at home. Some eligible food items, such as soft drinks, candy, seafood, steak, and bakery cakes, are also covered.
However, they cannot be used to buy alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, vitamins, medicines, live animals (except certain exceptions like shellfish), hot foods at the point of sale, and non-food items like pet food or cleaning supplies.