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Millions of Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will begin receiving their August payments next week, with benefits arriving on different dates depending on where they live.
Here’s what recipients need to know about August’s payment dates, benefit amounts, and how the program works.
How Much Is SNAP?
SNAP is the largest anti-hunger program in the U.S., serving tens of millions of people. It provides monthly food assistance to eligible low-income households, with benefit amounts based on factors including income and household size.
According to the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), the average household receives around $354 in SNAP benefits each month.
For fiscal year 2026, the maximum monthly benefit is $298 for a one-person household and $994 for a family of four. Households with little or no income typically qualify for the maximum allotment, while those with higher earnings generally receive reduced benefits.
SNAP Payment Dates For August 2026
- Alabama: August 4 to 23
- Alaska: August 1
- Arizona: August 1 to 13
- Arkansas: August 4 to 13
- California: August 1 to 10
- Colorado: August 1 to 10
- Connecticut: August 1 to 3
- Delaware: August 2 to 23
- District of Columbia: August 1 to 10
- Florida: August 1 to 28
- Georgia: August 5 to 23
- Guam: August 1 to 10
- Hawaii: August 3 to 5
- Idaho: August 1 to 10
- Illinois: August 1 to 20
- Indiana: August 5 to 23
- Iowa: August 1 to 10
- Kansas: August 1 to 10
- Kentucky: August 1 to 19
- Louisiana: August 1 to 23
- Maine: August 10 to 14
- Maryland: August 4 to 23
- Massachusetts: August 1 to 14
- Michigan: August 3 to 21
- Minnesota: August 4 to 13
- Mississippi: August 4 to 21
- Missouri: August 1 to 22
- Montana: August 2 to 6
- Nebraska: August 1 to 5
- Nevada: August 1 to 10
- New Hampshire: August 5
- New Jersey: August 1 to 5
- New Mexico: August 1 to 20
- New York: August 1 to 9
- North Carolina: August 3 to 21
- North Dakota: August 1
- Ohio: August 2 to 20
- Oklahoma: August 1 to 10
- Oregon: August 1 to 9
- Pennsylvania: August 3 to 14
- Puerto Rico: August 4 to August 22
- Rhode Island: August 1
- South Carolina: August 1 to 19
- South Dakota: August 10
- Tennessee: August 1 to 20
- Texas: August 1 to 28
- Utah: August 5, 11 and 15
- Virgin Islands: August 1
- Vermont: August 1
- Virginia: August 1 to 7
- Washington: August 1 to 20
- West Virginia: August 1 to 9
- Wisconsin: August 1 to 15
- Wyoming: August 1 to 4
How Are Benefits Delivered?
SNAP benefits are issued to Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which recipients receive once they have been approved after application.
Each month, funds are automatically added to recipients’ EBT cards. The cards can then be used at approved retailers, including grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores and participating online sellers.
Latest SNAP News
Enrollment in the SNAP has declined sharply across the U.S. over the past year, with federal data showing around 5 million fewer Americans receiving food assistance compared with early 2025.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) figures show participation falling from approximately 42.2 million recipients in March 2025 to about 37.3 million by March 2026, representing one of the largest recent drops in SNAP enrollment.
The decline follows major changes to the program enacted in 2025 under President Donald Trump’s administration, including provisions included in the sweeping budget and tax legislation known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the law will reduce federal SNAP spending by $186 billion over 10 years. The legislation tightened eligibility rules, expanded work requirements and shifted more administrative responsibilities to states.
Under the new rules, able-bodied adults aged 18 to 64 without dependents—up from the previous age limit of 54—must complete at least 80 hours of work or qualifying activities each month to continue receiving benefits.
Meg Kimmel, president and CEO of the Maryland Food Bank, told Newsweek that organizations supporting communities are starting to see the impact of recent SNAP changes, which also include the removal of exemptions from work requirements that previously covered groups such as veterans, people experiencing homelessness and former foster youth.
“Our partner network expects, and is beginning to see, increased demand as SNAP participation declines,” she said. “Historically, when access to SNAP is reduced, more people turn to food banks and local pantries to fill the gap.”
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