Millions of families across the U.S. can breathe easy this holiday season. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, will send out full benefits in December 2025. This comes right after a tough 43-day federal government shutdown ended on November 13, 2025.
The shutdown started on October 1 and caused big worries for SNAP users. Some states gave partial payments in November, but courts stepped in to help. Now, full funding is back thanks to a bill signed by President Donald Trump on November 12, 2025.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, or USDA FNS, says all is normal again. States must send full December files to EBT card vendors as usual. This means no cuts or delays for the 42 million Americans who count on SNAP each month.
SNAP helps low-income families buy healthy food. Benefits load onto EBT cards like debit cards. You can use them at stores for groceries, but not for hot meals or booze.
Each state runs SNAP a bit differently. That’s why payment dates spread out over the month. Big states like California and Texas split them by case number to keep things smooth.
Here is the full December 2025 SNAP payment schedule from USDA FNS and state offices. Check your state to know when to expect yours.
- Alabama: December 4-23
- Alaska: December 1
- Arizona: December 1-13
- Arkansas: December 4-13
- California: December 1-10
- Colorado: December 1-10
- Connecticut: December 1-3
- Delaware: December 2-23
- District of Columbia: December 1-10
- Florida: December 1-28
- Georgia: December 5-23
- Guam: December 1-10
- Hawaii: December 3-5
- Idaho: December 1-10
- Illinois: December 1-20
- Indiana: December 5-23
- Iowa: December 1-10
- Kansas: December 1-10
- Kentucky: December 1-19
- Louisiana: December 1-23
- Maine: December 10-14
- Maryland: December 4-23
- Massachusetts: December 1-14
- Michigan: December 3-21
- Minnesota: December 4-13
- Mississippi: December 4-21
- Missouri: December 1-22
- Montana: December 2-6
- Nebraska: December 1-5
- Nevada: December 1-10
- New Hampshire: December 5
- New Jersey: December 1-5
- New Mexico: December 1-20
- New York: December 1-9
- North Carolina: December 3-21
- North Dakota: December 1
- Ohio: December 2-20
- Oklahoma: December 1-10
- Oregon: December 1-9
- Pennsylvania: December 3-14
- Puerto Rico: December 4-22
- Rhode Island: December 1
- South Carolina: December 1-19
- South Dakota: December 10
- Tennessee: December 1-20
- Texas: December 1-28
- Utah: December 5, 11, 15
- Vermont: December 1
- Virgin Islands: December 1
- Virginia: December 1-7
- Washington: December 1-20
- West Virginia: December 1-9
- Wisconsin: December 1-15
- Wyoming: December 1-4
To find your exact date, look at your case number or last name. Small states like Alaska pay everyone on one day. Bigger ones stretch it out.
The USDA says funding lasts through September 30, 2026. No holiday hold-ups this December. Christmas falls after most pay windows close.
Do you qualify for SNAP? Check the income limits for fiscal year 2026 from USDA FNS. These are for gross income at 130% of the poverty level.
- 1 person: $1,580 a month
- 2 people: $2,137 a month
- 3 people: $2,694 a month
- 4 people: $3,250 a month
- 5 people: $3,807 a month
Add $557 for each extra person. Net income must be 100% or less after deductions for rent or medical bills. Assets top out at $3,000 for most homes, or $4,500 if someone is 60 or older or disabled.
SNAP covers key foods to keep families healthy. Buy these with your EBT card:
- Fruits and veggies
- Meat, chicken, and fish
- Milk, cheese, and eggs
- Bread and grains
- Snacks and drinks without alcohol
- Seeds to grow your own food
Skip hot foods, smokes, soap, pills, or pet chow. Those do not count.
What if your money does not show up? Act fast. The USDA FNS has steps to fix it.
First, check your balance on the state’s EBT site or app. Call the number on your card next. Look for any overdue papers in your mail.
If November was short, the rest comes now or with December. Contact your state SNAP office with your case number. They must help quick.
The shutdown hit hard, but full November pays went out by November 21 in all states. December starts fresh. Time-limited folks skip November as a count month, per USDA rules.
For more, go to the USDA SNAP State Directory at fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory. It lists every state’s site and phone. Apply there if you need help.
SNAP keeps food on the table for working parents, seniors, and kids. With steady funds locked in, families can plan ahead. Stay safe this winter, and eat well.
