The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP benefits, issues payments throughout May, but not all beneficiaries receive payment on the same date. Commonly known as food stamps or SNAP benefits, these are provided to low-income or no-income families and individuals who would otherwise struggle to afford their food and basic needs.
The timing of receipt depends on the state or territory where you reside. While the federal government provides the funds, each state has its own regulations regarding payment dates, leading to discrepancies in national payment schedules.
For example, in Alabama, the payment date depends on the case number, with those ending in 01 receiving benefits earlier in the month than those ending in 99. In Utah, payment is based on the first letter of the last name, following a method similar to Social Security payments. Smaller states, like Rhode Island and Vermont, issue food stamps on the same day for all recipients.
SNAP Benefits Payment Dates in May 2024 for Each State
- Alabama: May 4-23
- Alaska: May 1
- Arizona: May 1-13
- Arkansas: May 4-13
- California: May 1-10
- Colorado: May 1-10
- Connecticut: May 1-3
- Delaware: May 2-23
- District of Columbia: May 1-10
- Florida: May 1-28
- Georgia: May 5-23
- Guam: May 1-10
- Hawaii: May 3-5
- Idaho: May 1-10
- Illinois: May 1-10
- Indiana: May 5-23
- Iowa: May 1-10
- Kansas: May 1-10
- Kentucky: May 1-19
- Louisiana: May 1-23
- Maine: May 10-14
- Maryland: May 4-23
- Massachusetts: May 1-14
- Michigan: May 3-21
- Minnesota: May 4-13
- Mississippi: May 4-21
- Missouri: May 1-22
- Montana: May 2-6
- Nebraska: May 1-5
- Nevada: May 1-10
- New Hampshire: May 5
- New Jersey: May 1-5
- New Mexico: May 1-20
- New York: May 1-9
- North Carolina: May 3-21
- North Dakota: May 1
- Ohio: May 2-20
- Oklahoma: May 1-10
- Oregon: May 1-9
- Pennsylvania: May 3-14
- Puerto Rico: May 4-22
- Rhode Island: May 1
- South Carolina: May 1-10
- South Dakota: May 10
- Tennessee: May 1-20
- Texas: May 1-28
- Utah: May 5, 11, and 15
- Vermont: May 1
- Virginia: May 1-7
- Virgin Islands: May 1
- Washington: May 1-20
- West Virginia: May 1-9
- Wisconsin: May 1-15
Changes Coming Over the Food Stamps Program
The U.S. Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) recently announced several changes that may impact SNAP applicants. FNS updated the list of foods that beneficiaries can purchase with their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards and also announced changes to work requirements and time limits for redeeming benefits.
As you already know, food stamps are designated to buy food and non-alcoholic beverages that are intended to improve the nutrition of families, and prevent them from falling into risk of hunger. With your EBT card you can buy a wide variety of nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, dairy products, bread, cereals, seeds, and some bakery products. You can also buy canned, frozen foods, and baby products such as infant formula and diapers.
However, there are some restrictions on what you can’t buy with food stamps. These include alcohol, tobacco, household products, personal care products such as soap or shampoo, paper products, prescription drugs and vitamins, and ready-made or hot meals that are consumed inside the store, such as takeout or restaurant meals.
Using your EBT in an illegal way could end in the automatic termination of your allotments, and your family will be left without their funds.