September is just around the corner and with it come SNAP payments for more than 37 million Americans. As always, there is no single national payday — each state distributes benefits across different windows throughout the month based on case numbers, the last digits of Social Security numbers, or other state-specific criteria. The average household benefit in September 2026 stands at $342.80, with nearly $7 billion in benefits issued each month.
September is also the last month of fiscal year 2026, which closes on September 30. That means starting October 1, the new maximum benefit amounts adjusted for cost of living take effect — October payments may be slightly different from September’s. To find out how much you will receive starting in October, check with your state’s SNAP agency in the coming weeks.
SNAP payment calendar for September 2026 — all states
Alabama: September 4–23. Alaska: September 1. Arizona: September 1–13. Arkansas: September 4–13. California: September 1–10. Colorado: September 1–10. Connecticut: September 1–3. Delaware: September 2–23. Washington D.C.: September 1–10. Florida: September 1–28. Georgia: September 5–23. Guam: September 1–10. Hawaii: September 3–5. Idaho: September 1–10. Illinois: September 1–20. Indiana: September 5–23. Iowa: September 1–10. Kansas: September 1–10. Kentucky: September 1–19. Louisiana: September 1–23. Maine: September 10–14. Maryland: September 4–23. Massachusetts: September 1–14. Michigan: September 3–21. Minnesota: September 4–13. Mississippi: September 4–21. Missouri: September 1–22. Montana: September 2–6. Nebraska: September 1–5. Nevada: September 1–10. New Hampshire: September 5. New Jersey: September 1–5. New Mexico: September 1–20. New York: September 1–9. North Carolina: September 3–21. North Dakota: September 1. Ohio: September 2–20. Oklahoma: September 1–10. Oregon: September 1–9. Pennsylvania: September 1–15 — first 10 business days of the month. Puerto Rico: September 4–22. Rhode Island: September 1. South Carolina: September 1–19. South Dakota: September 10. Tennessee: September 1–20. Texas: September 1–28. Utah: September 5, 11, and 15. U.S. Virgin Islands: September 1. Vermont: September 1. Virginia: September 1–7. Washington State: September 1–20. West Virginia: September 1–9. Wisconsin: September 1–15. Wyoming: September 1–4.
When exactly does the money arrive
In most states, benefits are deposited overnight, so the money is usually available by early morning on your assigned date — generally between midnight and 6 a.m. There is no fixed hour and it can vary slightly from month to month. If by 9 a.m. on your assigned date the money is not yet on your card, wait a few more hours before calling your agency.
In most states, benefits are deposited on the same calendar day every month, even if that day falls on a weekend or holiday. States that distribute over business days only may move payment slightly earlier if your date falls on a holiday — check with your agency if you are unsure how this affects your specific date.
Important: September is the last month to spend June SUN Bucks
If you received SUN Bucks benefits for your children in June 2026, remember that they expire 122 days from the date they were loaded. Benefits loaded in June expire in mid-October — meaning September is your last full month to spend them. Check your card balance and make sure to use your SUN Bucks before they disappear.
What to do if your payment does not arrive on the expected date
If your date has passed and the money is not on your card, first check that your recertification is up to date — it is the most common reason for missing payments — and that there are no pending changes to your case. If everything looks fine, call the number on the back of your EBT card or open the ebtEDGE or ConnectEBT app to check your balance and transaction history in real time.
In October, maximum SNAP amounts change
September is the last month of fiscal year 2026. Starting October 1, 2026, the USDA will apply its annual cost-of-living adjustment and maximum SNAP amounts will change for fiscal year 2027. Historically these adjustments have been upward, though the new H.R. 1 law has limited the government’s ability to make extraordinary mid-year adjustments if food prices rise more than anticipated. To find out how much you will receive starting in October, check with your state’s SNAP agency toward the end of September.