Why didn't I get a food stamp (EBT) deposit this month?

If you expected to get your food stamp (aka SNAP/EBT) deposit this month, but didn't, there are a few things that might have gone wrong:

1. Check to see if you had a renewal or report due last month

The most common reason to miss an EBT deposit is having an annual renewal or periodic report (also called a "semi-annual report" or "interim report") due and missing it.

The first thing to do if you missed a deposit is to log in to your state's online benefits portal (for example, BenefitsCal in CA, Access HRA in NYC, YourTexasBenefits in TX) if your state has one.

On your state's portal, look for a section called "Notices", also sometimes "Messages" or "Notifications."

If you had a renewal or report due last month, you may see a notice (letter) in there explaining what happened, and what to do next.

2. What if I had a renewal or report due, but didn't submit it?

If you have a notice showing you had a renewal or report due and you missed it, you may have to re-apply for benefits.

However, in some cases you can submit a report late and get your benefits restored. For example, in California, if you miss your 6-month SAR-7 report, but still submit it the next month, your county can restore your benefits.

This is called "reinstatement" and 22 states do this.*

If you have other questions about what to do, call your state or county agency.

This help page is from the team at Propel App, the #1 rated app for checking your EBT card balance, finding EBT discounts, and staying on top of benefits information. Download the free app here.

3. What if I did my renewal or report, but still didn't get benefits this month?

If you submitted a renewal or report last month, and didn't get your benefits this month, a few different things could be going on:

• You could have missed the renewal interview: For annual renewals, most people are required to do an interview, usually by telephone. Did you submit a renewal but didn't do an interview?
  • First, check your online portal or mail you got for any notices. These should include next steps, like how to reschedule an interview.
  • You can also call your state or county agency to request an interview.
• Your renewal could be missing documents:
  • Check your state's online portal or your mail for a notice which might say they need you to send in/upload some more documents
  • The most common documents they need are (1) proof of income for the last month, (2) any changes of who lives with you, and (3) changes to big expenses like housing or child care.
• You could no longer be eligible for benefits: If you turned in a renewal and did your interview, it's possible you aren't eligible anymore.
  • Again, you should receive a notice in your online portal or in the mail telling you why.
• Your state agency might be experiencing processing delays: Many SNAP agencies across the country are dealing with increased workload and also challenges with staffing. This is leading some to be delayed in processing annual renewals.
  • The state has up to 30 days to process your renewal, so if you sent things in close to the end of the month, they may longer to process.
  • Unfortunately in some states it might take even longer than 30 days. If it has been more than 30 days, contact your state or county agency to check on your case.
  • If your case is still processing, you can use the Propel app to check for upcoming deposits when one comes in.

4. What if none of the above happened?

If nothing above applies to your situation, it could be that something more uncommon is happening with your case. For example, rarely states will change the date of the month that deposits are sent out for some people getting benefits. This can happen with IT system changes or for other reasons.

To figure out what is going on, options you have are:

• Look in your state's online portal and your mail for any notices/messages
• Call your state or county agency
• Contact a local food bank or other community organization that helps people apply for SNAP
• Post on a forum like the /r/foodstamps Reddit to see if others in your state are experiencing an issue

* The 22 states/territories that do "reinstatement" as of May 2024 are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Guam, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin

This page was written based on official government sources, and has been edited for simplicity.

We work hard to ensure this information is accurate, helpful, and up-to-date. We welcome any  corrections or feedback here.