Some of the scariest questions known to low income Americans are “why didn’t my SNAP benefits reload?” or “why did my EBT stop?” If you find yourself in this situation, it can be hard not to panic. After all, when your SNAP benefits don’t appear on schedule, it can disrupt your plans and make it extremely hard to put food on the table.
I’ve been there and I still remember the panic. As a young mom with little income, I counted on those food stamps to keep my family fed. When the day came and the money didn’t show up, I was so worried.
It turns out, there are several common reasons why your SNAP benefits may not reload or your EBT may stop unexpectedly.
Why Didn’t Your SNAP Benefits Reload?
If you’re wondering where your EBT benefits are, we’ve found several reasons why your food stamps or EBT cash benefits may not have arrived when expected:
It’s a weekend or a holiday.
If your payments were due to be sent out on a weekend, they will often be disbursed the following Monday. That’s because the state offices and banking systems aren’t open or operational on Sundays, so there’s no way to get that money deposited. Just like a check or direct deposit would wait until Monday, so will your EBT benefits.
Holidays can also affect the distribution schedule. If your normal payment date falls on a federal or state holiday, your funds may be delayed until the next business day.
This is easily the most common reason why your EBT card did not refill – and the good news is, it’s only temporary!
The schedule may have changed.
Although many states send their benefits payments on the first of each month, other states do things differently. Some states determine their schedules based on your birthday, last name, case number, application date, Social Security Number, or another factor.
Sometimes, states will update or adjust their schedules. When this happens, it can cause a temporary interruption that will result in your EBT card not refilling as expected.
You may have missed a paperwork deadline.
Every few months, you will need to re-certify, or resubmit paperwork to prove that you are still eligible for benefits. If you miss a deadline for paperwork or a phone interview, your benefits may stop.
The re-certification varies, depending on your circumstances. The length of time is usually 6-12 months. Some people may have to re-certify more frequently. With the ESAP program, seniors and disabled adults may only need to re-certify once every two years!
It’s important to always check your mail and open anything you receive from the food stamps office. This will help you ensure that you do not miss any deadlines.
If the answer to “Why didn’t my EBT card refill?” is that you missed a deadline, you will need to contact your local agency as soon as possible in order to complete your re-certification. If you complete your re-certification within 30 days of the date it was due, your case may be reopened with minimal difficulty.
The state may be running behind with paperwork.
Some states have experienced ongoing staffing issues and technology problems that have made it very difficult to keep up on their paperwork. When these offices fall behind, it can create a backlog that may affect the timing of your benefits.
For example, let’s say that you were due to submit your recertification by September 30th. If you wait until September 29th to submit that paperwork and the state has a backlog, they may not be able to process your paperwork in time. This means your benefits may be late.
This problem has affected many states over the last few years and it’s been very frustrating. This has been a HUGE problem for a lot of people. Unfortunately, there’s not much that can be done about this except making sure that you turn in your paperwork as soon as possible.
You haven’t used your benefits in a while.
Although it is much less common, sometimes your EBT benefits may stop because you haven’t used your card in a long time. You generally have to use your EBT card at least once every nine months or so to keep those benefits active.
You will receive a letter from the agency before your benefits are stopped for this reason, however. Don’t forget to open every letter you receive from the agency in charge of your benefits. You can’t afford to miss notices like this.
Your account has been closed.
In some cases, your account may have been closed unexpectedly. This may happen if you fail to comply with terms of the program, such as an ABAWD work requirement, or if you are suspected of fraud.
If this happens, you should receive a letter in the mail notifying you about the closure. If your account is closed because you did something wrong (like fraud), you may not be able to apply again. If you are innocent of any wrongdoing, however, you should be able to reapply and restart your benefits.
Your benefits may have been stolen.
There was a huge spike in EBT thefts in recent years. Because EBT cards haven’t been updated to keep up with evolving technology, it’s very easy for skimmers and scammers to copy those cards and drain your benefits.
If you suspect your benefits may have been stolen, check your transaction history. It’s possible that your benefits arrived and were promptly stolen by a third party. People have lost thousands of dollars in benefits to these scammers, so you need to be careful.
If you were the victim of theft, make sure you change your PIN and contact the food stamps office right away for next steps. You may be able to get your SNAP benefits replaced in full or in part, depending on the circumstances.
What You Need to Do
Make sure to stay in contact with the office to ensure your benefits don’t get interrupted.
When you’re counting on food stamps to feed your family, any interruption in benefits can be very alarming. The best way to avoid this situation is to ensure that you remain in contact with the office and in compliance with the program at all times.
Read and respond to all letters ASAP.
It is important to always read and respond to mail from the food stamps office. If you do not understand the letter that is sent to you, you can contact the office for clarification and even ask for an interpreter if you need one.
If you need to re-certify, comply with a requirement, or respond to an accusation of fraud, it is important to do so as soon as possible. Delaying your response could put you at risk of missing a critical deadline, which could cause you to miss a food stamps disbursement.
Even if you aren’t notified about the need to re-certify, you can always check in with the office to ensure that you are not due to check in. That way, you’ll never be surprised and left wondering “Why didn’t my EBT card refill?”
Always notify the office of changes within 10 days.
You are always required to notify the food stamps office of any major changes that happen in your life.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Income changes (usually changes of more than $50-$100 per month)
- Employment changes (you start or stop a job)
- Location changes (new addresses)
- Expense changes (rent, mortgage, utility cost or child support expense adjustments)
- Household changes (divorce, separation, newborn baby, someone moved in or out)
You will need to report these changes quickly (usually within 10 days). If you do not report these changes in a timely fashion, you could potentially get into trouble. It may even be the reason why you’re wondering “Why didn’t my EBT card refill?” right now.
You could be ordered to repay any extra payments you received, and you could be charged with a crime. Besides, sometimes reporting these changes could create an increase in the amount of food stamps you receive!
Protect your benefits.
Use your benefits promptly and keep your card secured. If possible, use your state’s EBT app to block out of state transactions and lock your card between uses. Change your PIN frequently, and always look for skimmers before you swipe your card.
If you notice any problems with your card or suspect that someone may have access to your card number or PIN, report it to the state right away.
Relief Recap
If your SNAP benefits didn’t reload as expected, don’t panic—there are a few common reasons this might happen. This article has explained the most common reasons and what you can do to fix the problem so you can get your benefits right away.
I received my benefits for August but didn’t for September witch I though would be on the 21st. It say I will be getting in through December and that I’m eligible. But says nothing is pending on my snap card. I can’t get through to customer care for weeks. I don’t know what to do. The case manager is not getting back to me.
Why did I not receive my food stamps
Hi. If the tips listed above haven’t been useful in your case, you may need to contact their office directly.
Did not get payment on card
Hi. You may need to contact their office directly.
It’s been 2 months since I didn’t receive any Stamps on my card I want to know what did I miss recently? I reported my car stolen. I got a new one and it’s only five dollars and some change left on the card and now I’m just waiting and yes, I have the app the EBT portal. I check it once in a while and it’s still saying the same thing so I would like help please I just want my car to be refilled so I could be happy.
Hi my name is Passion I would like to know why my ebt Card is not getting refilled is pissing me off
Hi. You may need to contact their office directly.
My edt food stamps didn’t refill for march
i am on a fixed in come and snap helped me get by every month but my snap card was not refilled this month so i had to use money from my check to eat and now am behind on my bills. when i called the dhs number i was on hold for an hour and ran out off minutes on my phone so i went to their office but got no answers just a big run around could someone just give me an answer
Hi Luann. Unfortunately, their office is the only one with access to that. Did you check your state’s web portal to see if you could get any information that way?
I don’t understand why I didn’t receive my full benefit when I reported a income change by phone, email, and in person I had to leave my job due to health issues the date I received them every month is the 19th I left my job on 12-24-23 I emailed and called on 12-27-23 I went in person on 12-29-23 and 01-05-24 and again on 01-16-24 and they never did the change i received 49.00 dollars on 01-19-24 there are 3 members in my home I don’t understand how they can do this i live in North Carolina.
Why didn’t my EBT card refill
Hi. You may have to contact your case worker.
I recertify recently and they approved it for 470 , I have a family of 3 persons. Myself and 2 kids, my income is below the poverty level for family of 3. I wonder if the made a mistake with 470 instead of 740, which is suppose to be for a family of 3
Hi. There may be some deductions you are not claiming. Here is a link that explains more: https://lowincomerelief.com/more-food-stamps/
My EBT card did not refill.
Hi Roger. You may need to contact their office to find out why.
Arkansas here. Two things, one is that since I took on the burden of homeschooling my two son’s and pay for their books, field trips, ALL of thier food and everything they dont qualify for P-EBT. So my reward for relieving the state of that burden is a slap in the face…. no P-EBT ever, this entire time.
Second I am disabled and my snap certification is on hold, in that my card is not being reloaded…. seemingly for no reason because of the “new system ” this year. They have made it very, very hard. I don’t know what I’m going to do for food.
It’s terrible how little they give.
Here are some things that may help: https://lowincomerelief.com/free-food/
I started receiving food stamps in May. On the following month which is June my ebt card did not refill. I never received a letter from DHS stating why I didn’t receive my food stamp benefits. I am basically homeless bouncing from one friend’s couch to the next.. I have no way to get food and just want to know why my benefits have stopped.
Hi Hailey. You can try using your state’s portal or contact their office directly. They should be able to tell you why the benefits have stopped.
Hi William. You may need to contact their office to find out.
No reason that I know of.
I don’t have a car there fore can’t get to work I live 22 miles from town and and need more than food stamps but it keeps me from starving but I do money to fix my car but still I only got 5and a half months of food stamps because February I didn’t receive any and march I only received 95 dollars .my benefits started in September.
Hi James. Depending on what state you are in, the cut may have been because of the end of the pandemic benefits.
You can learn more about that here:
https://lowincomerelief.com/are-we-getting-extra-food-stamps-this-month/
And here are some resources that may be helpful:
https://lowincomerelief.com/free-food/
new to ebt. my new card is active and has pin, BUT have not gotten anything loaded on in since applying 4 months ago. I will try calling too, but wanted to see if you all had any thoughts? thank you
You’ll need to check the portal or call. They should have added something by now if they were going to.
I am homeless withy 2 small children, my benefits for cash aid or food stamps did not show up on my card on the 1st like every month, we use the cash to pay for a motel for a month, so I NEED my cash or we have to live on the streets !! We need help !!!
Hi Christine. You should contact their office. You may need to do a recertification.
Hello,
I haven’t received my EBT card refill for the month of November and December. The holidays especially difficult when I need the food! I called the EBT number 1-888-328-2656 She confirmed that I hadn’t received my food stamps since November. But didnt know why. I called my local office in Golden Colorado several times and they disconnected me every time!!! Please reply ASAP!!! as to why and how I can receive my payments asap!
Hi Christine. Keep trying to contact their office. I know they don’t make it easy.
My ebt card was not refilled, but on my hra app its showing the payment, but not on the card..and you can’t call anywhere..so what do you do.
There should be a number for reporting a stolen or hijacked card. You can also try your state’s EBT portal. We know they don’t always make it easy!
I handed my paperwork in on the deadline day and am not receiving any benefits can I call get it loaded ASAP or do I need to wait for recertification next month? Thanks
Hi Beth. It’s difficult for us to comment on individual cases. You may have to call their office to ask.
Hello I just did my recertification for my CA benifits. My CA says active but now my snap benifits is saying closed.I made the mistake clicking on something. Is this the reason why my snap is closed?
Hi Amy. You may need to contact their office to find out what is going on.
Why didn’t receive my food stamps this month on the schedule date 5th I filled out the paperwork and drop it in the Dropbox at my local DFC Office
Hi Billy. You may need to contact their office to find out.
I’ve been on foodstamps/ bt gor about 13 years now. I have (always) received my ebt deposit on the 15th of every month without fail. My account is up-to-date, and shows as “Active”, and that I’m still approved to get it. October 15th, nothing… a few days later… nothing… so, I call the number, I get nothing but a bunch of automated junk… not a real person, which is what I need. but, the automated system said that I would receive October’s ebt on the 31st. nope. that sure didn’t happen. it’s now the 1st and still nothing. mom and my younger sister had to buy me a few groceries so I wouldn’t starve. but, now we’re in November, and I never received October’s ebt deposit, and I have no transportation, and the dfcs office is honestly just too far to walk to.. can’t get a real person on the phone, so I’m not really sure on what to do???
Hi Seana. All we can suggest is to keep trying to contact them.
Benefits haven’t hit and it’s 5am
my card did not refill benefits for the end of Oct
my card did not refill for the extra snap benefits for the end of Oct.
I never got my snap benefit for october
My ebt card didn’t refill. I have no idea why and none of the number connect me to a real person
It shows on my account that I’m supposed to get a refill at the beginning of the month of October but progress to my card has accord.
I check my EBT online and there was nothing pending for next month of October 1st which is in a week I’m not sure if everyone is different or something is not right ?
Please advise when my EBT card will refill!