After 43 days of uncertainty, the funding bill is signed and your December 2025 SNAP benefits are 100% back on track. December 2025 SNAP benefits are finally back on schedule! Full payment dates by state, November backpay info, max amounts & new rules. See exactly when your EBT loads – no delays! No partial payments, no delays, and most families will even see their missing November money added automatically.
Here is the complete, easy-to-read guide you can trust — with every single state and territory listed.
Why December 2025 SNAP Payments Are Back to Normal (And November Backpay Explained)
The shutdown caused November benefits to be cut by roughly 35% for most households. The good news: every missing dollar is being returned automatically. Many states are combining the November backpay with your regular December deposit, so your EBT card might get a bigger-than-normal load this month. If you still don’t see the backpay by December 15, call your local office (hotline list at the bottom). Check official USDA SNAP state directory
Full State-by-State SNAP Payment December 2025
Payments are deposited overnight and ready first thing in the morning. Weekends and holidays push the date to the previous business day.
| State / Territory | December 2025 Payment Dates | How Dates Are Determined |
| Alabama | Dec 1 – Dec 9 | Last 2 digits of case number |
| Alaska | Dec 1 (everyone) | Single-day state |
| Arizona | Dec 1 – Dec 13 | Case number |
| Arkansas | Dec 4 – Dec 13 | Last 4 digits of SSN |
| California (CalFresh) | Dec 1 – Dec 10 | Last digit of case number |
| Colorado | Dec 1 – Dec 10 | Case number |
| Connecticut | Dec 1 – Dec 3 | First letter of last name (A–F = 1st, etc.) |
| Delaware | Dec 2 – Dec 23 | First letter of last name |
| District of Columbia | Dec 1 – Dec 10 | Case number |
| Florida | Dec 1 – Dec 28 | First letter of last name (28-day spread) |
| Georgia | Dec 5 – Dec 23 | Case number |
| Guam | Dec 1 | Single day |
| Hawaii | Dec 3 – Dec 5 | Case number |
| Idaho | Dec 1 – Dec 8 | Case number |
| Illinois | Dec 1 – Dec 10 | Case number |
| Indiana | Dec 1 – Dec 10 | Case number |
| Iowa | Dec 1 – Dec 10 | Case number |
| Kansas | Dec 1 – Dec 6 | Case number |
| Kentucky | Dec 1 – Dec 19 | Case number |
| Louisiana | Dec 1 – Dec 23 | Case number |
| Maine | Dec 10 – Dec 14 | All cases this window |
| Maryland | Dec 4 – Dec 23 | Case number / last 3 letters of name |
| Massachusetts | Dec 1 – Dec 14 | Case number |
| Michigan | Dec 3 – Dec 21 | Case number |
| Minnesota | Dec 4 – Dec 13 | Case number |
| Mississippi | Dec 4 – Dec 21 | Case number |
| Missouri | Dec 1 – Dec 7 | Case number |
| Montana | Dec 4 – Dec 13 | Case number |
| Nebraska | Dec 1 – Dec 8 | Case number |
| Nevada | Dec 1 – Dec 10 | Case number |
| New Hampshire | Dec 3 – Dec 12 | Case number |
| New Jersey | Dec 1 – Dec 5 | Case number |
| New Mexico | Dec 1 – Dec 11 | Case number |
| New York | Dec 1 – Dec 9 | Last digit of case number |
| North Carolina | Dec 3 – Dec 21 | Case number |
| North Dakota | Dec 1 (everyone) | Single-day state |
| Ohio | Dec 2 – Dec 20 | Case number |
| Oklahoma | Dec 1 – Dec 10 | Case number |
| Oregon | Dec 1 – Dec 10 | Case number |
| Pennsylvania | Dec 3 – Dec 14 (first 10 business days) | Case number + county |
| Puerto Rico (NAP) | Dec 4 | Single day |
| Rhode Island | Dec 1 (everyone) | Single-day state |
| South Carolina | Dec 1 (everyone) | Single-day state |
| South Dakota | Dec 1 (everyone) | Single-day state |
| Tennessee | Dec 1 – Dec 20 | Last 2 digits of case number |
| Texas | Dec 1 – Dec 28 | Eligibility number (longest spread in the country) |
| Utah | Dec 5, Dec 11, Dec 15 | Three fixed dates based on case number |
| Vermont | Dec 6 (everyone) | Single-day state |
| Virgin Islands | Dec 4 | Single day |
| Virginia | Dec 1 – Dec 23 | Case number |
| Washington | Dec 1 – Dec 10 | Case number |
| West Virginia | Dec 1 – Dec 9 | Case number |
| Wisconsin | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Case number |
| Wyoming | Dec 1 – Dec 4 | Case number |
Quick Look: Single-Day Payment States (You Get It Dec 1–6)
Alaska, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands — everyone in these places gets their full amount on the same day.
The 10 Largest SNAP States (70% of all recipients)
California · Texas · Florida · New York · Pennsylvania · Illinois · Ohio · Georgia · North Carolina · Michigan
Their dates are highlighted in bold in the table above.
How to Check Your Exact Deposit Date in Under 60 Seconds
- Download the free Propel or Fresh EBT app
- Text your state’s balance number (most are 1-888 or 1-800)
- Log into your state’s EBT portal (links at providers.org or snapusda.com)
- Call the number on the back of your EBT card and press “1”
Maximum SNAP Amounts for December 2025 – 2026 COLA (48 states + D.C.)
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Benefit |
| 1 person | $292 |
| 2 people | $536 |
| 3 people | $768 |
| 4 people | $974 |
| 5 people | $1,156 |
| 8 people | $1,756 + $220 each extra |
Alaska: $377–$586 per person · Hawaii: $517 per person
What If Your December Payment Is Missing or Late?
Top 2025 reasons it happens:
- Recertification was due during the shutdown
- New ABAWD work-rule clock started
- Address change not updated
- Temporary fraud flag (common after the chaos)
Call your local office the same day — most fixes take 24–48 hours.
Big 2025–2026 Changes That Start This Very Month
- ABAWD age limit now 65 (instead of 54)
- Veterans, homeless, and former foster youth are fully exempt from work rules
- Parents of 14–17-year-olds may have new reporting rules
- More states added to the Restaurant Meals Program (hot food with SNAP)
Holiday Grocery Tips with Your December SNAP Dollars
- Many farmers markets still double your money on produce
- Stock up on chicken, rice, beans, and frozen veggies — they stretch farthest
- Aldi, Walmart, and Dollar Tree usually have the lowest holiday prices
SNAP + SSDI/SSI/Veterans Payments in December 2025
SSI and SSDI pay Wednesday, Dec 31 (early because Jan 1 is a holiday). If your SNAP day falls the same week, you’ll have two big deposits — perfect timing for the new year.
FAQ – SNAP Benefits December Payment Schedule
Will December 2025 SNAP benefits be delayed?
No — everything is back to normal schedules.
When will I get my November backpay?
Most states added it to your December load or sent it Dec 1–10.
Can I buy fast food with SNAP in December 2025?
Yes in California, Arizona, Rhode Island, Michigan, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, and growing.
What if my recertification was due during the shutdown?
You’re protected — benefits continue until processed.
How do I check my EBT balance right now?
Propel app, Fresh EBT app, text your state number, or call the back of your card.
You made it through a tough month. Your December benefits are safe, and help is always just one call or app away.
Last updated: November 29, 2025, 9:30 PM EST — bookmark this page and
