SNAP benefits in California: exact payment dates in August 2023

The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) is one of the United States’ chief food-assistance schemes.

A federal programme run in coordination with state governments, SNAP helps low-income households by giving recipients a monthly amount that can be spent on food at certain grocery stores in the US.

The funds are deposited each month on a pre-paid debit card known as the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. However, as each state manages the transfer of SNAP allowances, payment dates vary depending on which part of the country beneficiaries live in.

SNAP benefits in California: exact payment dates in August 2023

In California, where SNAP is known as CalFresh, payments are made on one of the first 10 days of each month, with the final digit in the recipient’s case number determining the exact date on which they receive their benefits.

This is the SNAP payment calendar for August in California:

SNAP benefits: how much is sent out each month?

While SNAP benefits are paid out in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia, the amounts that recipients get vary depending on whether they live in: one of the 48 contiguous states/DC; Alaska; or Hawaii. SNAP allowances also depend on the size of each household, and on other factors such as income.

In California, the average payment per qualifying individual is $196 a month.

These are the maximum amounts paid out in the lower 48 states and DC, depending on the number of household members:

For SNAP recipients who live in Alaska, the maximum monthly amount is $1,172 for four-person urban households, and $1,819 for those in rural areas. In Hawaii, meanwhile, SNAP benefits are capped at $1,794 for a family of four.