Snapshots of millions of Americans rely on SNAP benefits to support their households and the households of families in need. But when do they arrive in September 2025, exactly? Below is all the information you need about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the new payment calendar.
What are SNAP benefits?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is the country’s biggest federal food assistance program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture administers it and helps low-income households and individuals buy groceries monthly.
SNAP payments are made in the form of an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which closely resembles a debit card and can be utilised to make purchases at participating grocery stores, supermarkets, and farmers’ markets. They are calculated according to family size, income, and a few expenses. They are a lifeline to millions, providing steady support for the purchase of healthy food.
How SNAP payments are scheduled
Although SNAP is federally funded, the payment and distribution dates are left to each state. This implies that payment days will vary from state to state. Payments are paid case number-wise; for instance, California pays benefits on staggered dates so that lower case number households receive payment first in the month.
Other states like Connecticut and Delaware make the payments based on a schedule based on the first letter of the last name of a beneficiary. Smaller states or areas, like Alaska and South Dakota, make all the benefits payable on one day.
September 2025 SNAP payment dates
Here’s an advance look at when SNAP benefits will be paid in each state and territory for September 2025:
- Alabama: Sept. 4–23
- Alaska: Sept. 1
- Arizona: Sept. 1–13
- Arkansas: Sept. 4–13
- California: Sept. 1–10
- Colorado: Sept. 1–10
- Connecticut: Sept. 1–3
- Delaware: Sept. 2–23
- District of Columbia: Sept. 1–10
- Florida: Sept. 1–28
- Georgia: Sept. 5–23
- Guam: Sept. 1–10
- Hawaii: Sept. 3–5
- Idaho: Sept. 1–10
- Illinois: Sept. 1–20
- Indiana: Sept. 5–23
- Iowa: Sept. 1–10
- Kansas: Sept. 1–10
- Kentucky: Sept. 1–19
- Louisiana: Sept. 1–23
- Maine: Sept. 10–14
- Maryland: Sept. 4–23
- Massachusetts: Sept. 1–14
- Michigan: Sept. 3–21
- Minnesota: Sept. 4–13
- Mississippi: Sept. 4–21
- Missouri: Sept. 1–22
- Montana: Sept. 2–6
- Nebraska: Sept. 1–5
- Nevada: Sept. 1–10
- New Hampshire: Sept. 5
- New Jersey: Sept. 1–5
- New Mexico: Sept. 1–20
- New York: Sept. 1–9
- North Carolina: Sept. 3–21
- North Dakota: Sept. 1
- Ohio: Sept. 2–20
- Oklahoma: Sept. 1–10
- Oregon: Sept. 1–9
- Pennsylvania: Sept. 3–14
- Puerto Rico: Sept. 4–22
- Rhode Island: Sept. 1
- South Carolina: Sept. 1–19
- South Dakota: Sept. 10
- Tennessee: Sept. 1–20
- Texas: Sept. 1–28
- Utah: Sept. 5, 11, 15
- Virgin Islands: Sept. 1
- Vermont: Sept. 1
- Virginia: Sept. 1–7
- Washington: Sept. 1–20
- West Virginia: Sept. 1–9
- Wisconsin: Sept. 1–15
- Wyoming: Sept. 1–4
What can SNAP benefits buy
SNAP benefits purchase a wide variety of groceries: meat, poultry, fish, dairy, bread, cereals, fruits, vegetables, and beverages. They can also purchase seeds and plants that bear food to eat at home.
Benefits can’t be spent on alcoholic drinks, tobacco, most prepared foods, or anything other than food. In 2025, 12 states will limit unhealthy foods and beverages, but these regulations won’t go into effect until 2026.
When September approaches, recipients of SNAP must search through the calendar of their state to find out when the money is available. Planning ahead gives families enough time to maximise their benefits and purchase food they need without stress.
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