When will you get the SNAP benefit checks for December? Complete schedule for SNAP benefits for every US state after shutdown disruptions

After weeks of uncertainty triggered by the historic 43-day government shutdown in October, people are eagerly waiting to know the SNAP benefits for December dates; 42 million Americans can finally expect clarity. The USDA has confirmed that SNAP benefits for December are now fully restored, ending a chaotic period marked by suspended payments, legal battles, and even benefit clawbacks in some states.

Also Read: Social Security and SSI Schedule for December 2025: Americans to receive three payments in December, who qualifies and what 2026 COLA means for you and the important dates

The prolonged shutdown left the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in disarray. In early November, the USDA abruptly halted funding for SNAP, forcing several states to pause payments altogether.

SNAP benefits for December complete schedule

Congress passed a last-minute funding bill on November 12, 2025, allowing states to restart delayed November benefits and stabilize the system. Below is the state-by-state schedule for December 2025, summarized by Futbolete. Individual payment dates may vary depending on case number, birth date, or the first letter of a recipient’s last name, the outlet notes.

Alabama – 4–23

Alaska – 1

Arizona – 1–13

Arkansas – 4–13

California – 1–10

Colorado – 1–10

Connecticut – 1–3

Delaware – 2–23

Florida – 1–28

Georgia – 5–23

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

Rhode Island – 1

South Carolina – 1–19

South Dakota – 10

Tennessee – 1–20

Texas – 1–28

Utah – 5, 11, 15

Vermont – 1

Virginia – 1–7

Washington – 1–20

West Virginia – 1–9

Wisconsin – 1–15

Wyoming – 1–4

US territories SNAP payment dates for December 2025

District of Columbia (DC) – 1–10

Puerto Rico – 4–22

Guam – 1–10

US Virgin Islands – 1

For Fiscal Year 2026 (October 2025–September 2026), SNAP benefits were adjusted for inflation. These maximum amounts apply to households with zero or very low income; actual payments scale down based on income and deductions. The minimum benefit remains $24.

The SNAP benefits for December's complete schedule for every US state provide general windows only. Recipients should check their state’s official SNAP portal or the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website.

FAQs: December 2025 SNAP Payment Dates

How many states follow the December 2025 SNAP payment schedule?
All 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. follow their own SNAP issuance dates.

When do SNAP payments start in December 2025?
Payments begin as early as December 1 in most states.

Do SNAP payment dates change every month?
No. Most states keep the same payment schedule each month.