Millions of Americans are waiting for their SNAP benefits this month. In October 2025, over 42 million people across the United States will get help buying food through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. Every state sends payments on its own schedule, from October 1 to October 28.
This means the day you get your benefits depends on your state, case number, Social Security number, last name, or birth date.
Many people check their EBT cards daily, wondering, “When will my benefits load?” Here’s a simple look at how it works this October.
Quick notes before the table
- Weekends & holidays: Unless your state explicitly uses business days (like Pennsylvania), deposits are made on the scheduled calendar day (including weekends/holidays). Pennsylvania’s schedule is the first 10 business days each month, so the last issue day shifts with weekends/holidays.
- New York City: NYC issues over 13 non-holiday days during the first two weeks of each month (exact dates vary by case-number cycle). Upstate NY issues on the 1st–9th.
- Texas: Households certified before June 1, 2020, issue 1st–15th; newer certifications issue 16th–28th. We show the full October window.
Page Contents
- 1 SNAP Deposit Windows October 2025 (All 50 States)
- 2 Find your exact day (in 10 seconds)
- 3 Didn’t see a deposit?
- 4 Sources
- 5 FAQs
- 5.1 1) What time do SNAP/EBT benefits load on deposit day?
- 5.2 2) Do SNAP deposits arrive on weekends or holidays?
- 5.3 3) How do I find my exact deposit date for my state?
- 5.4 4) Why didn’t my benefits arrive on the expected date?
- 5.5 5) Do SNAP benefits roll over if I don’t spend them this month?
- 5.6 6) Can I get my benefits early if my date falls on a holiday?
- 5.7 7) How do I check my EBT balance and recent transactions?
- 5.8 8) Can stolen or skimmed SNAP benefits be replaced?
- 5.9 9) I’m new to SNAP. How fast are the first benefits issued?
- 6 Conclusion
SNAP Deposit Windows October 2025 (All 50 States)
Legend: “Oct X–Y” shows the earliest and latest calendar day benefits load in October 2025. “—” means a single issue day.
| State | October 2025 deposit window | Notes |
| Alabama | Oct 4–23 | By case #. |
| Alaska | Oct 1 | Single issue day. |
| Arizona | Oct 1–13 | By last name A-Z. |
| Arkansas | Oct 4–13 | By SSN. |
| California | Oct 1–10 | By case # last digit. |
| Colorado | Oct 1–10 | By SSN’s last digit. |
| Connecticut | Oct 1–3 | By last name initial. |
| Delaware | Oct 2–23 | By last name initial. |
| Florida | Oct 1–28 | By case # digit; longest window. |
| Georgia | Oct 5–23 | By ID #, last two digits. |
| Hawaii | Oct 3–5 | A–I on 3rd; J–Z on 5th. |
| Idaho | Oct 1–10 | Staggered by the birth-year last digit. |
| Illinois | Oct 1–20 | New cases 1–10; legacy cases include 13/17/20. |
| Indiana | Oct 5–23 | By the first letter of the last name. |
| Iowa | Oct 1–10 | By last name initial. |
| Kansas | Oct 1–10 | By name/ID (standard 10-day cycle). |
| Kentucky | Oct 1–19 | By case # last digit. |
| Louisiana | Oct 1–23 | By SSN; elderly/disabled 1–4. |
| Maine | Oct 10–14 | By birth-day last digit. |
| Maryland | Oct 4–23 | By the first three letters of the last name. |
| Massachusetts | Oct 1–14 | By SSN’s last digit. |
| Michigan | Oct 3–21 | By the recipient ID’s last digit. |
| Minnesota | Oct 4–13 | By case #. |
| Mississippi | Oct 4–21 | By case #, the last two digits. |
| Missouri | Oct 1–22 | By birth month & last name. |
| Montana | Oct 2–6 | By CHIMES case #. |
| Nebraska | Oct 1–5 | By head-of-household SSN. |
| Nevada | Oct 1–10 | By birth-year last digit. |
| New Hampshire | Oct 5 | Single issue day. |
| New Jersey | Oct 1–5 | By case # (7th digit). |
| New Mexico | Oct 1–20 | By SSN (two-digit groups). |
| New York | Upstate: Oct 1–9 | NYC: 13 non-holiday days during the first two weeks. |
| North Carolina | Oct 3–21 | By SSN’s last digit. |
| North Dakota | Oct 1 | Single issue day. |
| Ohio | Oct 2–20 | By SNAP case # last digit. |
| Oklahoma | Oct 1–10 | By case #. |
| Oregon | Oct 1–9 | By SSN’s last digit. |
| Pennsylvania | First 10 business days | County cycles vary; business days only. |
| Rhode Island | Oct 1 | Single issue day. |
| South Carolina | Oct 1–19 | Ongoing cases: 1–10; new since 2012: 2–19. |
| South Dakota | Oct 10 | Single issue day. |
| Tennessee | Oct 1–20 | By SSN last two digits. |
| Texas | Oct 1–28 | Pre-6/1/2020: 1–15; newer: 16–28. |
| Utah | Oct 5,11, or 15 | By last-name initial (three fixed days). |
| Vermont | Oct 1 | Single issue day. |
| Virginia | Oct 1–7 | By case #. |
| Washington | Oct 1–20 | By case #. |
| West Virginia | Oct 1–9 | By last-name initial. |
| Wisconsin | Oct 2–15 | By SSN’s 8th digit. |
| Wyoming | Oct 1–4 | By last-name initial. |
Source notes: The table above condenses the USDA’s state pages into a simple first–last day window for October. For full state-by-state rule text (e.g., which digit/letter maps to which specific day), see the USDA’s Monthly Issuance Schedule for All States and the ERS SNAP Distribution Schedule Database (updated Jan 2025).
If you want to learn about other SNAP updates, check these important stories:
- 12 States Could Ban Junk Food in SNAP by 2026 — see where sugary snacks might be off-limits.
- SNAP Benefits Frozen Until 2027 — find out why benefit increases are paused.
- SNAP Changes 2025: One Big Beautiful Bill — learn how new laws could reshape food aid.
- Government Shutdown Threatens WIC Benefits for Moms & Kids — but don’t worry, this does not affect October SNAP payments.
Find your exact day (in 10 seconds)
- Grab your state’s rule:
- Most states: look at the last digit of your case number or SSN.
- Some states (ID/NV): use the last digit of your birth year.
- Name-based states (AZ/MD/IN/SC, etc.): use your last-name letters.
- Match to your cycle: Your state’s page lists which digit/letter maps to which calendar day.
- PA & NYC exceptions:
- PA pays on the first 10 business days (no weekends/holidays).
- NYC issues across 13 non-holiday days during the first two weeks; check the current six-month calendar for exact dates.
Didn’t see a deposit?
- Confirm your day: Re-check the digit/letter your state uses (case # vs. SSN vs. birth year vs. last name).
- Check notices: Recertification, verification, or sanctions can delay deposits.
- Call your state EBT line (on the back of your card) or open your online portal/mobile app.
- Pennsylvania: remember it’s business days, not calendar days.
Sources
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service Monthly SNAP Issuance Schedule for All States & Territories (state rules/pages). (Food and Nutrition Service)
- USDA ERS SNAP Distribution Schedule Database (documents first/last day of issuance for each state and month; updated Jan 8, 2025). (Economic Research Service)
- State-specific confirmations (examples): NYC schedule note (first two weeks, non-holiday days), Idaho (first 10 days by birth-year digit), Georgia (5th–23rd), Florida (1st–28th).
FAQs
1) What time do SNAP/EBT benefits load on deposit day?
Deposit times vary by state and EBT processor, but benefits post on your scheduled calendar day. For example, Pennsylvania notes benefits are available after 6:00 a.m. on the issuance day; other states may differ. Check your state portal/EBT app for the exact availability time.
2) Do SNAP deposits arrive on weekends or holidays?
In most states, deposits follow the calendar date even if it’s a weekend or holiday. Notable exceptions include Pennsylvania (first 10 business days) and NYC, which issues over 13 non-holiday days in the first two weeks.
3) How do I find my exact deposit date for my state?
Start with USDA’s Monthly SNAP Issuance Schedule for All States & Territories, which summarizes each state’s rules. Researchers also use the USDA-ERS’s Distribution Schedule Database to view first/last issuance days by month and state. Your local state SNAP page or EBT calendar will give the precise mapping from your digit/letter to a specific day.
4) Why didn’t my benefits arrive on the expected date?
Common reasons include being on a different cycle day than you thought, a pending recertification/verification, or your card being newly issued and still in the mail. USDA reminds states that eligible households must have benefits posted and available within 30 days of application (7 days if expedited). If you believe there’s an error, contact your state SNAP office or check your account in your EBT portal/app.
5) Do SNAP benefits roll over if I don’t spend them this month?
Yes, unused SNAP benefits carry over month to month. However, federal rules allow expungement after 9 months of account inactivity, and some states may store unused benefits offline after 3 months (with required notice) before expungement.
6) Can I get my benefits early if my date falls on a holiday?
Generally, states keep the same schedule, but some calendars avoid non-business days. For example, NYC explicitly avoids Sundays/holidays by issuing across 13 non-holiday days in the first two weeks; Pennsylvania uses the first 10 business days. Check your state’s posted calendar for any holiday adjustments.
7) How do I check my EBT balance and recent transactions?
Use your state’s EBT portal or app (many states use ebtEDGE) or call the number on the back of your card. USDA’s State Directory of Resources links you to your state’s official site and contact info.
8) Can stolen or skimmed SNAP benefits be replaced?
Federal reimbursement for stolen benefits (skimming/cloning) covers thefts through December 20, 2024; after that date, federal replacement authority sunsets, although some states may choose to use state funds. USDA is pushing EBT chip cards and other security upgrades to reduce theft risk.
9) I’m new to SNAP. How fast are the first benefits issued?
By federal rule, eligible households must get an opportunity to participate within 30 days of applying, or within 7 days if they qualify for expedited service. “Opportunity to participate” means you have an active EBT card and benefits posted and available to spend.
Conclusion
October’s SNAP load dates are predictable once you know your state’s rule (case/SSN/birth-year digit or last-name range). Use the table above to see your October 2025 window, then match your specific digit/letter to the exact day on your state’s calendar, keeping in mind special cases like NYC’s non-holiday schedule and Pennsylvania’s first 10 business days. If a deposit doesn’t show on the expected day, verify your cycle in the state portal/app, review any notices, and contact your state SNAP office for help.
