As we head into the holiday season, millions of American families are counting on SNAP benefits in December 2025 to stretch their grocery budgets amid rising food costs and economic uncertainty. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, provides essential monthly support to over 42 million low-income households, loaded onto EBT cards for use at approved retailers.
After the disruptions from the recent 43-day government shutdown in November 2025—which caused payment delays, partial deposits, and even clawbacks in some states—things are finally back on track. Thanks to the funding bill signed into law on November 12, 2025, your December SNAP payment dates will follow each state’s regular schedule, ensuring full benefits arrive without further hitches.
But since every state handles SNAP distribution differently—based on factors like case numbers, last names, or even single-day rollouts—knowing your exact timing is key to avoiding last-minute stress. We’ve compiled the latest SNAP EBT deposit schedule for December 2025 below, optimized for easy checking by state.
Understanding SNAP Payment Schedules for December 2025
SNAP benefits are issued once a month, typically between the 1st and the 28th, with most states spreading payments to manage high volumes and prevent retailer overloads. December 2025 follows the same patterns: larger states like California and Texas use staggered approaches (e.g., by case number or alphabetically), while smaller ones like Alaska issue everything on one day. Importantly, weekends and federal holidays—like Christmas on December 25—may push deposits to the next business day in some areas, so double-check your state’s EBT hotline or app for real-time updates.
If you received only partial November benefits due to the shutdown, expect the remainder either rolled into your December SNAP payment or issued separately—your state agency will notify you. With the 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) already in effect since October, maximum allotments for a family of four are up to $975 in the contiguous U.S. (higher in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the Virgin Islands), helping combat inflation on essentials like dairy, produce, and proteins.
State-by-State SNAP Payment Dates for December 2025
Here’s your go-to guide for SNAP benefits December 2025 payment dates. We’ve grouped states by issuance method for simplicity, but always verify with your local SNAP office or the USDA’s state directory, as minor tweaks can occur.
Single-Day Issuance States (All Benefits on One Date):
- Alabama: December 4
- Alaska: December 1
- Delaware: December 2
- Florida: December 1–28 (staggered by case number; e.g., 1–9 on Dec 1)
- Georgia: December 5
- Hawaii: December 3
- Iowa: December 10
- Louisiana: December 1–23 (by case number)
- Maryland: December 4–10 (by first three letters of last name; e.g., AAA–ANZ on Dec 4)
- Massachusetts: December 1–14 (by case number)
- Minnesota: December 4
- Mississippi: December 1–21 (by case number)
- North Carolina: December 3–9 (by last name)
- North Dakota: December 1
- Pennsylvania: December 3–14 (by case number)
- Rhode Island: December 1
- South Carolina: December 1–10 (by case number)
- South Dakota: December 7
- Tennessee: December 2–17 (by case number)
- Vermont: December 6
- Virginia: December 1–23 (by case number)
- Washington: December 1–10 (by case number)
- West Virginia: December 1–9 (by case number)
- Wisconsin: December 1–15 (by case number)
- Wyoming: December 1
- District of Columbia: December 1–10 (by case number)
Staggered by Case Number or Last Name:
- Arizona: December 1–13 (by case number)
- Arkansas: December 3–14 (by case number)
- California: December 1–10 (by case number; e.g., 1 on Dec 1, 2–4 on Dec 2)
- Colorado: December 1–10 (by case number)
- Connecticut: December 1–3 (by first letter of last name; e.g., A–F on Dec 1)
- Idaho: December 1–8 (by case number)
- Illinois: December 1–10 (by case number)
- Indiana: December 1–10 (by case number)
- Kansas: December 1–7 (by case number)
- Kentucky: December 27 (single day, but confirm for Dec)
- Maine: December 10–14 (by case number)
- Michigan: December 3–21 (by case number)
- Missouri: December 1–22 (by case number)
- Montana: December 2–4 (by case number)
- Nebraska: December 1–5 (by case number)
- Nevada: December 1–10 (by case number)
- New Hampshire: December 3–13 (by case number)
- New Jersey: December 1–5 (by case number)
- New Mexico: December 1 (single day)
- New York: December 1–9 (by case number; e.g., 1 on Dec 1)
- Ohio: December 2–18 (by case number)
- Oklahoma: December 1–10 (by case number)
- Oregon: December 1–10 (by case number)
- Texas: December 1–28 (by eligibility group and case number)
- Utah: December 5, 11, 15 (by case number)
U.S. Territories:
- Guam: December 1
- U.S. Virgin Islands: December 1
Pro tip: If your state’s date falls on a weekend (like December 6–7), expect it on Friday, December 5, or Monday, December 8, depending on local rules. For the most accurate info, log into your state’s EBT portal or call the customer service number on your card.
Final Thoughts
With SNAP benefits December 2025 payments resuming their normal flow, families can breathe easier and focus on holiday meals without the shadow of shutdown delays. These schedules are designed to ensure timely access to nutritious food, but remember: eligibility can shift with income changes or the new work requirements under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) rolling out in phases. If you’re a new applicant or need to recertify, head to your state’s SNAP website or Benefits.gov today—don’t let paperwork snag your support. Stay scam-savvy, too; only official sources like USDA.gov send legit updates. Planning ahead with these SNAP EBT deposit dates means more peace of mind and fuller pantries this December.