Arizona loads Nutrition Assistance (the state's name for SNAP) benefits onto your EBT card once a month, on a date set by the first letter of the last name of the head of household. Deposits are spread across the first 13 days of the month, with each pair of letters assigned its own date. If your last name starts with A or B, you are paid on the 1st; if it starts with Y or Z, you are paid on the 13th. Benefits are generally posted by 5:00 a.m. on your scheduled date and the date stays the same every month for as long as your case is open.
This guide covers the full Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) issuance schedule for 2026, how to confirm which name applies to your case, what happens with your first deposit after approval, and what to do if a payment does not show up.
2026 Arizona EBT Deposit Schedule by Last Name
Match the first letter of the last name of the head of household on your case to the table below. That is your deposit date, every month.
| First Letter of Last Name | Deposit Date |
|---|
| A or B | 1st |
| C or D | 2nd |
| E or F | 3rd |
| G or H | 4th |
| I or J | 5th |
| K or L | 6th |
| M or N | 7th |
| O or P | 8th |
| Q or R | 9th |
| S or T | 10th |
| U or V | 11th |
| W or X | 12th |
| Y or Z | 13th |
This schedule comes from Arizona DES policy and applies statewide. Because letters are grouped in pairs, Arizona covers the entire alphabet in just 13 days, which is a shorter window than states that issue benefits based on case number digits across the whole month.
Two examples. A head of household with the last name Ramirez is paid on the 9th, since R falls in the Q or R group. A head of household with the last name Chen is paid on the 2nd, since C falls in the C or D group.
2026 Month by Month
Arizona uses a fixed calendar date rather than a business-day rule, so your date is the same in every month of the year. There is no shifting for weekends or holidays to track.
| Month | Deposit Window |
|---|
| August 2026 | August 1 to August 13 |
| September 2026 | September 1 to September 13 |
| October 2026 | October 1 to October 13 |
| November 2026 | November 1 to November 13 |
| December 2026 | December 1 to December 13 |
The window is the same in January through July. Your specific day inside that window is fixed by the first letter of the last name on your case.
Whose Last Name Determines the Date?
Arizona bases the schedule on the last name of the head of household, sometimes called the primary informant, not on any other adult in the case and not on the child's name if a child is the recipient of record. If you are unsure whose name applies:
- Approval notice. Your DES approval or eligibility notice lists the head of household by name.
- Health-e-Arizona Plus account. Log in at healthearizonaplus.gov to view your case details.
- DES customer service. Call 1-855-432-7587 during business hours, Monday through Friday, and ask which name your case schedule is based on.
If your household's head of household changes because of marriage, divorce, or another case update, your deposit date can move to match the new name.
What Time Do Arizona EBT Deposits Load?
Benefits are typically available by 5:00 a.m. on your scheduled date, so most households can shop first thing that morning. If your balance shows zero very early in the morning, check again a little later before assuming there is a problem.
Weekends and Holidays
Arizona's issuance schedule runs on fixed calendar dates and the EBT deposit itself is processed automatically, so benefits are typically available on your scheduled date even if it falls on a weekend or a holiday. This is different from DES phone and office hours, which follow a Monday through Friday schedule and are closed on state holidays. A deposit landing on a Saturday does not depend on an office being open, but if you need to reach DES about a problem, plan around business hours.
Your First Deposit After Approval
New approvals are not stuck waiting for the regular monthly cycle to start. Once your Nutrition Assistance case is approved, DES issues your first month's benefits, including any prorated amount from your application date, shortly after approval rather than only on your monthly letter-based date. After that first deposit, your case moves onto the regular schedule tied to the head of household's last name for every following month.
Because of this, your second deposit can land sooner or later than exactly 30 days after your first one, depending on where your last name falls in the schedule.
How to Check Your Arizona EBT (QUEST Card) Balance
Arizona's EBT card is called the QUEST Card. You can check your balance several ways:
- Phone: Call 1-888-997-9333, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays. TTY users can call 1-800-367-8939. Have your card number, PIN, and Social Security number ready.
- Online: Check your balance through your Health-e-Arizona Plus account or the EBT provider's portal.
- Store receipt: Most retailers that accept SNAP print your remaining balance on the receipt after a purchase.
Checking your balance before you shop, rather than at the register, avoids the awkward moment of a declined item.
What to Do If Your Benefits Are Late
Work through these steps in order before assuming something has gone wrong.
- Confirm your actual date. Re-check the first letter of the head of household's last name against the schedule table above. Many reported late deposits turn out to be a misread date or confusion about which household member's name counts.
- Wait until later in the morning. Deposits usually post by 5:00 a.m., but processing can occasionally run a bit behind.
- Check your balance by phone. Call 1-888-997-9333. The automated line reflects your current balance even if benefits were slightly delayed.
- Check your Health-e-Arizona Plus account for alerts. A pending redetermination, a missing verification document, or an unreturned interview request can hold your benefits. If DES requested information and never received it, the deposit stops until you respond.
- Confirm your certification period has not ended. Nutrition Assistance is approved for a set period. When that period ends without a completed recertification, benefits stop without a separate warning at deposit time.
- Call DES. If your balance is still zero well after your scheduled date and there are no case alerts, call 1-855-432-7587, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Dial 2-1-1 for help finding a food pantry to bridge the gap while you sort out the issue.
Protecting Your Benefits from Theft
EBT skimming, where thieves steal card information at a compromised terminal or ATM and drain the account, has been a persistent problem nationwide. Federal authorization that allowed states to reimburse benefits stolen through electronic theft between October 2022 and December 20, 2024 has expired, and no federal reimbursement program currently covers thefts after that date.
To reduce your risk:
- Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
- Avoid using EBT cards at standalone ATMs or unfamiliar terminals.
- Check your balance and transaction history regularly so you catch unauthorized activity quickly.
- Report a lost or stolen card immediately by calling 1-888-997-9333. The first replacement card in a calendar year is generally free.
Do Unused Arizona SNAP Benefits Expire?
Unused benefits roll over month to month and add to your next deposit. There is no use-it-or-lose-it deadline within the month.
The exception is inactivity. Under federal rules, an EBT account with no transactions for 274 days, about nine months, can have its remaining balance removed. Using the card at least once within that window keeps your balance intact.
2026 Arizona SNAP Income Limits and Benefit Amounts
The figures below reflect federal fiscal year 2026 standards, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Arizona uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility, which raises the gross income test to 185% of the Federal Poverty Level for most households, higher than the standard 130% test used in many other states.
Gross Monthly Income Limits (185% of the Federal Poverty Level)
| Household Size | Maximum Gross Monthly Income |
|---|
| 1 | $2,413 |
| 2 | $3,262 |
| 3 | $4,111 |
| 4 | $4,960 |
| 5 | $5,809 |
| 6 | $6,658 |
| 7 | $7,507 |
| 8 | $8,356 |
| Each additional person | +$849 |
Households with a member age 60 or older, or a member with a qualifying disability, are exempt from the gross income test and only need to meet the net income limit, which is set at 100% of the Federal Poverty Level. For more on deductions and the net income calculation, see our guide to Arizona SNAP eligibility.
Maximum Monthly SNAP Allotments
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Benefit |
|---|
| 1 | $298 |
| 2 | $546 |
| 3 | $785 |
| 4 | $994 |
| 5 | $1,183 |
| 6 | $1,421 |
| 7 | $1,571 |
| 8 | $1,789 |
| Each additional person | +$218 |
Most households receive less than the maximum. The benefit formula is the maximum allotment minus 30% of your net monthly income, and these federal maximums apply the same way in Arizona as in the rest of the contiguous United States.
Arizona SNAP in 2026: Rule Changes Worth Knowing
Federal changes under the 2025 budget law are reshaping who keeps benefits in Arizona. Work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) now extend through age 64, up from 54, and exemptions that previously covered veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and young adults aging out of foster care were narrowed. Adults subject to the rule must work, volunteer, or attend approved training for at least 80 hours a month, or they are limited to three months of benefits in a 36-month period.
Analysts at the Arizona Center for Economic Progress estimate roughly 147,000 Arizonans could lose access under the expanded rules as they phase in. If your case closes for a work requirement reason, your deposit stops on your normal date with no partial payment, so reporting hours to DES on time is what keeps the schedule intact.
Comparing Arizona to Other States
Arizona's 1st-to-13th window based on last name is one of the shorter and simpler schedules in the country. Some states pay everyone on a single day, while others stagger across the full month by case number or Social Security number.
| State | Deposit Window | Determined By |
|---|
| Arizona | 1st to 13th | First letter of last name |
| California | 1st to 10th | Last digit of case number |
| Florida | 1st to 28th | Case number |
| Georgia | 5th to 23rd | Client ID |
| Texas | 1st to 28th | Last digit of case number |
If you move to another state, your deposit date changes based on that state's own rules. For the full 50-state list, see our SNAP EBT deposit schedule by state roundup, or browse everything available in Arizona on the Arizona benefits page.
How to Apply for SNAP (Nutrition Assistance) in Arizona
If you are not yet receiving benefits, here is the process.
- Apply online. Submit a Nutrition Assistance application through Health-e-Arizona Plus. You can also apply in person at a local DES office or by mail.
- Gather documents. Proof of identity, Arizona residency, income for everyone in the household, and shelter and utility costs. Bring medical expense records if a household member is age 60 or older or has a disability.
- Complete the interview. Most applicants have a phone interview after filing. Missing the scheduled call is one of the most common causes of delay.
- Wait for the decision. DES generally has 30 days to process a standard application. Households with very low income or almost no resources may qualify for expedited benefits within 7 days.
- Activate your QUEST Card and set your PIN. Do this as soon as your card arrives so your first deposit is usable the day it lands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Arizona EBT deposit schedule for 2026?
Arizona issues Nutrition Assistance benefits from the 1st through the 13th of each month based on the first letter of the head of household's last name. Last names starting with A or B are paid on the 1st, and each following pair of letters moves the date forward one day, up to Y or Z on the 13th.
How do I know my exact Arizona EBT deposit date?
Match the first letter of the last name of the head of household on your case to the schedule table above. Your approval notice and your Health-e-Arizona Plus account both list the head of household. That date repeats every month.
What time does Arizona EBT deposit?
Benefits are typically available by 5:00 a.m. on your scheduled date. If your balance still shows zero very early in the morning, check again a bit later before contacting DES.
Does Arizona EBT deposit on weekends and holidays?
Yes. Arizona's issuance schedule runs on fixed calendar dates and the deposit itself is processed automatically, so benefits are typically available on your scheduled date even when it falls on a weekend or holiday. DES phone and office hours, which are Monday through Friday, are separate from the deposit schedule.
When do I get my first SNAP deposit after being approved in Arizona?
Your first month's benefits, including any prorated amount owed back to your application date, are generally issued shortly after approval rather than waiting for the regular monthly schedule. You move onto the letter-based schedule starting the following month.
How do I check my Arizona EBT balance?
Call 1-888-997-9333, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also check through your Health-e-Arizona Plus account or read the balance printed on your grocery receipt.
Do unused Arizona SNAP benefits roll over?
Yes. Unspent benefits carry into the next month and add to your new deposit. If the account goes 274 days with no transactions, the remaining balance can be removed, so use the card at least once every nine months.
What is the maximum SNAP benefit in Arizona in 2026?
For fiscal year 2026, the federal maximum is $298 per month for one person and $994 for a household of four. Most households receive less, because the benefit equals the maximum allotment minus 30% of net income.
Who do I call about a lost or stolen Arizona EBT card?
Call EBT customer service at 1-888-997-9333 immediately to freeze the card and request a replacement. Federal authorization to reimburse benefits stolen through skimming expired in December 2024, so acting quickly to freeze the card is the best protection available.
Does Arizona use my case number or my name for the deposit schedule?
Arizona is one of the few states that schedules deposits by name rather than case number. The first letter of the last name of the head of household determines your date, not the digits in your case ID.
