Millions of Americans who faced weeks-long delays in SNAP benefits during November can finally expect a return to normalcy. After the historic 43-day federal shutdown in October disrupted payments nationwide, the USDA has confirmed that December benefits will be delivered on schedule across every U.S. state and territory.
The shutdown caused major turmoil for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which supports more than 42 million people. Some states paused payments entirely, while others were forced to reclaim already-issued benefits due to a Supreme Court order. With the disruptions hitting just as the holiday season began, food insecurity spiked nationwide.
SNAP Payments Resume After Emergency Funding
Relief finally came on November 12, 2025, when Congress passed a last-minute bill to fund the USDA and restart benefit distribution. States worked overtime to push out delayed November payments, though a handful of regions still reported lingering backlogs because of legal challenges and overwhelmed offices.
Now, officials say December 2025 benefits are fully back on track, with no further interruptions expected. Each state will follow its regular monthly payment window — typically based on case numbers, last names, or birth dates.
For official updates, families can check the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s SNAP portal:
👉 USDA Food and Nutrition Service – SNAP
December 2025 SNAP Payment Schedule: State-by-State
Below is the complete nationwide payment calendar for December 2025:
Alabama: 4–23
Alaska: 1
Arizona: 1–13
Arkansas: 4–13
California: 1–10
Colorado: 1–10
Connecticut: 1–3
Delaware: 2–23
D.C.: 1–10
Florida: 1–28
Georgia: 5–23
Guam: 1–10
Hawaii: 3–5
Idaho: 1–10
Illinois: 1–20
Indiana: 5–23
Iowa: 1–10
Kansas: 1–10
Kentucky: 1–19
Louisiana: 1–23
Maine: 10–14
Maryland: 4–23
Massachusetts: 1–14
Michigan: 3–21
Minnesota: 4–13
Mississippi: 4–21
Missouri: 1–22
Montana: 2–6
Nebraska: 1–5
Nevada: 1–10
New Hampshire: 5
New Jersey: 1–5
New Mexico: 1–20
New York: 1–9
North Carolina: 3–21
North Dakota: 1
Ohio: 2–20
Oklahoma: 1–10
Oregon: 1–9
Pennsylvania: 3–14
Puerto Rico: 4–22
Rhode Island: 1
South Carolina: 1–19
South Dakota: 10
Tennessee: 1–20
Texas: 1–28
Utah: 5, 11, 15
Virgin Islands: 1
Vermont: 1
Virginia: 1–7
Washington: 1–20
West Virginia: 1–9
Wisconsin: 1–15
Wyoming: 1–4
Important Reminder About SNAP Payments
These dates represent general windows. Your exact deposit depends on state-specific rules tied to case numbers, household information, or eligibility categories. For personalized details, visit your state’s SNAP website or refer directly to USDA guidelines.
Updated SNAP Maximum Benefit Amounts (Fiscal Year 2026)
For the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the USDA has adjusted benefit amounts based on cost-of-living increases (COLA):
- 1 person: $298
- 2 people: $546
- 3 people: $785
- 4 people: $994
- 5 people: $1,183
- 6 people: $1,421
- 7 people: $1,571
- 8 people: $1,789
- Each additional person: +$218
States and territories such as Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands receive higher maximums due to increased living costs.
To calculate individual eligibility and monthly benefits, households can use state SNAP calculators or consult the official federal resource:
FNS SNAP Eligibility Tools
