Will You Keep Receiving Food Stamps? SNAP Benefits Status for December 2025

After more than a month of uncertainty caused by a long government shutdown, many families who depend on food assistance finally have some good news. The government has reopened, which brings relief after weeks of confusion.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food help to 42 million Americans each month. The recent government shutdown lasted 43 days and caused serious delays in November payments.

Because there was no clear funding, states made different decisions: some paid the full amount, others paid only part, and a few could not pay anything at all.

During this period, the program faced legal challenges, conflicting court decisions, and strong public concern. The situation improved when President Donald Trump signed a funding bill passed by Congress, which allowed SNAP to start operating normally again.

Now, with funding approved, December payments will follow each state's regular schedule. SNAP recipients get their benefits every month on electronic cards (similar to debit cards), which can be used at authorized stores across the country.

The exact date you get your SNAP benefits depends on where you live. Each state has specific dates to send out payments, sometimes based on your case number, last name, or a special schedule.

Here are the SNAP benefit payment dates for December by state and territory:
 

• Alabama: 4–23
• Alaska: 1
• Arizona: 1–13
• Arkansas: 4–13
• California: 1–10
• Colorado: 1–10
• Connecticut: 1–3
• Delaware: 2–23
• Washington, 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
• 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, and 15
• Virgin Islands: 1
• Vermont: 1
• Virginia: 1–7
• Washington: 1–20
• West Virginia: 1–9
• Wisconsin: 1–15
• Wyoming: 1–4

A recent budget agreement ensures SNAP has funding through the fiscal year, until October 1, 2026. This gives security to both states and families who rely on this crucial food aid.

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