As October 2024 comes to a close, states across the US continue to distribute Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments, commonly known as food stamps. This federal aid assists low-income individuals and families with food purchases using an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. SNAP helps millions across the country access essential groceries, with each state managing its own unique payment schedules and eligibility criteria.
November SNAP payment schedules for selected states
SNAP payments generally follow a staggered distribution schedule set by each state. As the final week of October approaches, the following states are actively distributing SNAP payments through November 3:
- Alabama: November 4 through 23
- Alaska: November 1
- Arizona: November 1 through 13
- California: November 1 through 10
- Colorado: November 1 through 10
- Connecticut: November 1 through 3
- Delaware: November 2 through 23
- Florida: November 1 through 28
- Hawaii: November 3 through 5
- Idaho: November 1 through 10
- Illinois: November 1 through 10
- Iowa: November 1 through 10
- Kansas: November 1 through 10
- Kentucky: November 1 through 19
- Louisiana: November 1 through 23
- Massachusetts: November 1 through 14
- Michigan: November 3 through 21
- Missouri: November 1 through 22
- Montana: November 2 through 6
- Nebraska: November 1 through 5
- Nevada: November 1 through 10
- New Jersey: November 1 through 5
- New Mexico: November 1 through 20
- New York: November 1 through 9
- North Carolina: November 3 through 21
- North Dakota: November 1
- Ohio: November 2 through 20
- Oklahoma: November 1 through 10
- Oregon: November 1 through 9
- Pennsylvania: SNAP payments over the first 10 business days
- Rhode Island: November 1
- South Carolina: November 1 through 10
- South Dakota: November 10
- Tennessee: November 1 through 20
- Texas: November 1 through 28
- Vermont: November 1
- Virginia: November 1 through 7
- Washington: November 1 through 20
- West Virginia: November 1 through 9
- Wisconsin: November 1 through 15
- Wyoming: November 1 through 4
SNAP in U.S. Territories and D.C
- Guam: November 1 through 10
- The District of Columbia: November 1 through 10
- The U.S. Virgin Islands: November 1
According to USDA guidelines, payment schedules are determined by each state’s respective agencies and are often based on factors such as case numbers or account IDs.
SNAP benefit amounts and eligibility criteria
The SNAP program provides monthly benefits based on household size, gross and net income, and specific financial needs. The USDA has set maximum monthly allowances for 2024, ensuring that eligible families receive sufficient assistance to meet essential food needs:
| Household Size | Monthly Max Benefit (48 States + D.C.) |
| 1 | $292 |
| 2 | $536 |
| 3 | $768 |
| 4 | $975 |
| 5 | $1,158 |
| 6 | $1,390 |
| 7 | $1,536 |
| 8 | $1,756 |
Each Additional Member | +$220 |
Alaska and Hawaii operate on separate scales due to cost-of-living adjustments. Alaska’s maximum benefit for a family of four ranges from $1,258 to $1,953, and Hawaii’s is set at $1,723.
Recipients can check specific details regarding payment schedules and eligibility criteria by visiting their state’s SNAP website or the USDA’s official SNAP page.
Eligible purchases with SNAP EBT cards
EBT cards issued to SNAP beneficiaries operate similarly to debit cards, allowing users to purchase specific food items at authorized locations. According to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, eligible purchases include:
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Meats, Poultry, and Seafood
- Dairy Products
- Breads and Cereals
- Snacks and Non-Alcoholic Beverages
- Seeds and Plants to grow food at home
However, SNAP benefits cannot be used for non-food items, including household supplies, pet food, tobacco, alcohol, or hot foods prepared in-store. The USDA clarifies, “EBT cards are intended to cover nutritional needs, so items such as vitamins, supplements, live animals, and prepared foods are not eligible.” Beneficiaries can consult the USDA website to verify which stores in their state accept EBT cards.
D-SNAP support in Georgia following Hurricane Helene
In response to Hurricane Helene, the USDA has activated the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) in specific Georgia counties. D-SNAP provides temporary food assistance to those affected by recent natural disasters who may not typically qualify for SNAP but need immediate food support.
Georgia’s D-SNAP distribution schedule is broken down by county:
- October 21–26, 2024: Effingham, Evans, Liberty, Long, Bryan, Bulloch, and Chatham
- October 29–November 4, 2024: Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Charlton, Camden, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Echols, Glynn, Irwin, Lowndes, Lanier, Pierce, Tift, and Ware
- November 7–14, 2024: Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, and Washington
- November 18–23, 2024: Wayne, Wheeler, Appling, Candler, Emanuel, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Laurens, Montgomery, Tattnall, Telfair, and Toombs
USDA Administrator Cindy Long commented, “The D-SNAP program is crucial for affected families as they work to recover. We are working closely with Georgia to ensure timely food assistance.”
