Although the SNAP benefits program, formerly known as food stamps, is funded by the federal government, with money from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), each state has the freedom to define its payment schedules and mechanisms each month.
That’s why each state and territory that has the SNAP benefits program sets the dates based on their particularities and the ability to manage their payment systems. One group of states starts paying their beneficiaries starting April 1, and others have different start dates. We’ve grouped the statuses by start date so you can more easily find your payment date.
Food Stamps Payments Already Sent of Millions
The states that started paying SNAP benefits, up to $1,751 (we’ll tell you later who qualifies for that amount), on April 1 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 start sending transfers to EBT cards on April 2, or in the states of Hawaii, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, which pay their beneficiaries on April 3.
Payday is April 4th for the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi and Puerto Rico. April 5th is for Georgia, Indiana, New Hampshire and Utah (in the case of Utah, there are two more payment dates, depending on the beneficiary group).
On April 10, families in Maine and South Dakota receive their money, on April 11, those in Utah (the second group of beneficiaries), April 14 is the time for households in Massachusetts.
Snap Payment Dates: April 15th to 28th
- Starting on April 15th: Wisconsin
- Starting on April 19th: Kentucky
- Starting on April 20: New Mexico, Tennessee, Washington
- Starting on April 21st: Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina
- Starting on April 22: Puerto Rico
- Starting on April 23: Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, West Virginia
In fiscal year 2024, SNAP benefits have experienced a positive increase, now reaching a maximum of $1,751 for households of up to 8 people. These increases are 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- people 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 member in the household receives a $219 supplement, demonstrating SNAP’s ongoing commitment to effectively supporting families.
Food stamp benefits can be used to purchase a wide range of food products, including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, cereals, non-alcoholic beverages, as well as seeds and plants to grow food at home. Some food items such as soft drinks, sweets, seafood, beef and bakery pastries are also covered.
However, they cannot be used to purchase alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, vitamins, medicines, live animals (except for certain exceptions such as seafood), hot food at the point of sale, and non-food items such as pet food or cleaning supplies.