Arkansas loads SNAP benefits onto your EBT card once a month over an eight day window, from the 4th through the 13th, based on the last digit of the primary account holder's Social Security number. There is no single statewide payday. If your SSN ends in 0 or 1, you are paid on the 4th. If it ends in 9, you are paid on the 13th. The date is fixed and repeats every month for as long as your case stays open, and it does not shift for weekends or federal holidays.
This guide covers the full Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) issuance schedule for 2026, how to confirm which day applies to your household, what changed with SNAP work requirements this year, and what to do when a deposit does not arrive on schedule.
2026 Arkansas EBT Deposit Schedule by SSN Last Digit
Find the last digit of the primary account holder's Social Security number in the left column. That row is your deposit date, every month.
| SSN Ends In | Deposit Date |
|---|
| 0 or 1 | 4th |
| 2 or 3 | 5th |
| 4 | 8th |
| 5 | 9th |
| 6 | 10th |
| 7 | 11th |
| 8 | 12th |
| 9 | 13th |
Notice the jump from the 5th to the 8th. Arkansas DHS does not issue benefits on weekends built into the schedule template, so digits 0 through 3 cluster at the start of the month and digits 4 through 9 fill out the 8th through the 13th. This produces an eight day issuance window instead of the ten or twenty day windows used in some neighboring states.
Two examples. An SSN ending in 6 pays on the 10th. An SSN ending in 1 pays on the 4th.
2026 Month by Month
Arkansas uses fixed calendar dates, so your deposit day is the same in every month of the year. There is no holiday-shifting to track.
| Month | Deposit Window |
|---|
| August 2026 | August 4 to August 13 |
| September 2026 | September 4 to September 13 |
| October 2026 | October 4 to October 13 |
| November 2026 | November 4 to November 13 |
| December 2026 | December 4 to December 13 |
The window is identical in January through July. Your specific day inside that window is fixed by your SSN's last digit and never changes month to month.
How to Find Your Arkansas Deposit Date
If you are unsure which digit DHS uses for your case, or you share a case with a household member and want to confirm the record on file, you have a few options.
- Access Arkansas account. Log in at access.arkansas.gov to view your case details, benefit history, and deposit information.
- Approval or notice letter. Any official letter from DHS about your SNAP case lists the primary account holder.
- EBT customer service. Call 1-800-997-9999 and enter your 16-digit card number and PIN for automated account information.
- County DHS office. Call your local county office and ask which SSN is on file as the primary account holder for your case.
If more than one household member has applied for benefits over the years, the digit that matters is the SSN of whoever DHS lists as the primary account holder on the current case, not necessarily the person who filed the most recent paperwork.
What Time Do Arkansas EBT Deposits Load?
Benefits are typically available in the early morning hours of your scheduled date, so most households can shop starting that morning. Occasional processing delays push a deposit a few hours later than expected. A zero balance right after midnight does not necessarily mean something is wrong. Check again by mid-morning before contacting DHS.
Weekends and Holidays
Arkansas does not adjust deposit dates for weekends or federal holidays. If your date is the 9th and the 9th falls on a Saturday, your benefits still load on Saturday the 9th. EBT issuance is automated and does not depend on county offices being open that day.
Your First Deposit After Approval
New approvals are not tied to the monthly SSN schedule right away. Once DHS approves your case and enters it into the system, your initial benefits, including any amount owed back to your application date, are generally issued within a few business days rather than waiting for the next scheduled cycle date.
After that first deposit, your case moves onto the regular monthly schedule tied to the last digit of the primary account holder's SSN. That means your second deposit could land sooner or later than a full 30 days after your first one, depending on where your digit falls in the table.
Cash Assistance Deposits
Arkansas's cash assistance program, Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA), loads onto the same EBT card used for SNAP. Unlike SNAP, TEA benefits are issued on a fixed date, the 1st of every month, regardless of SSN. If you receive both SNAP and TEA, expect two separate deposit dates on the same card each month.
How to Check Your Arkansas EBT Balance
- Phone (automated): 1-800-997-9999, available 24 hours a day. Enter your 16-digit card number and PIN.
- Case questions: Call 1-800-482-8988 during business hours for eligibility or case status questions.
- Portal help: Call 1-855-372-1084 for help with the Access Arkansas online portal.
- Online: Log in to access.arkansas.gov to view your balance and deposit history.
- Mobile app: Search "Arkansas EBT" in the App Store or Google Play for balance and transaction history.
- Store receipt: Most SNAP retailers print your remaining balance on the receipt.
- Report fraud: Call the fraud hotline at 1-800-422-6641 if you suspect your card or benefits were compromised.
Checking your balance before you shop, rather than at the register, avoids a surprise at checkout.
What to Do If Your Benefits Are Late
Work through these steps in order before assuming there is a problem with your case.
- Confirm the correct SSN. Re-check the last digit of the primary account holder's Social Security number against the schedule above. A mismatched or misremembered digit is the most common cause of a "missed" deposit.
- Wait until mid-morning. Deposits that load overnight sometimes post a few hours later than expected.
- Check your balance by phone. Call 1-800-997-9999. The automated line reflects your current balance even when an app or website has not refreshed.
- Check Access Arkansas for alerts. A pending redetermination, a missing verification document, or an unreturned request for information will hold your benefits until it is resolved.
- Confirm your certification period has not ended. SNAP eligibility is approved for a set period. If that period ends without a completed recertification, benefits stop with no separate deposit-day warning.
- Call your county DHS office or the case line. If your balance is still zero after noon on your scheduled date and there are no alerts on your account, call 1-800-482-8988 or contact your county DHS office directly.
Do Unused Arkansas SNAP Benefits Expire?
Unused benefits roll over from month to month and add to your next deposit. There is no end-of-month deadline requiring you to spend your full allotment.
The one exception is inactivity. Under federal EBT rules, an account with no purchase transactions for 274 days, about nine months, can have its remaining balance removed. Using the card at least once within that window keeps the balance intact.
2026 Arkansas SNAP Income Limits and Benefit Amounts
These figures reflect the federal fiscal year 2026 standards, in effect from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
Gross Monthly Income Limits (130% of the Federal Poverty Level)
| Household Size | Maximum Gross Monthly Income |
|---|
| 1 | $1,696 |
| 2 | $2,292 |
| 3 | $2,888 |
| 4 | $3,483 |
| 5 | $4,079 |
| 6 | $4,675 |
| 7 | $5,271 |
| 8 | $5,867 |
| Each additional person | +$596 |
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 at 100% of the Federal Poverty Level. Net income for a household of four is capped at approximately $2,680 per month.
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 allotment. The benefit formula is the maximum allotment minus 30% of your net monthly income. Arkansas's most recent average benefit for a one person household runs approximately $188 per month.
Asset Limits
Most Arkansas SNAP households must have countable assets of $3,000 or less. Households with a member age 60 or older, or with a disability, can have up to $4,500 in countable assets. A primary home and one vehicle used for transportation are typically excluded from this count.
Arkansas SNAP in 2026: Rule Changes Worth Knowing
Federal changes under the 2025 budget law reshaped who keeps SNAP benefits nationwide, and Arkansas has moved quickly to implement them. The able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD) work requirement, which previously applied only up to age 54, now extends to age 64. Adults aged 55 through 64 who were previously exempt must now work, volunteer, or attend approved training for at least 80 hours a month to keep benefits beyond three months in a 36 month period, unless they qualify for a separate exemption.
Arkansas also launched a mandatory SNAP Employment and Training program, SNAP Works, on April 1, 2026. Participation, previously voluntary, is now required for ABAWDs, adults with school-age children, and other non-exempt recipients. If your case closes for a work requirement or program participation reason, your deposit stops on your normal scheduled date with no partial payment. Staying current on any required reporting or hours is what keeps your schedule intact.
Comparing Arkansas to Other States
Arkansas's 4th-to-13th window based on SSN is on the shorter side nationally. Some states pay everyone on a single day, while others stagger across three weeks or more.
| State | Deposit Window | Determined By |
|---|
| Arkansas | 4th to 13th | Last digit of SSN |
| Alabama | 4th to 23rd | Case number |
| Georgia | 5th to 23rd | Client ID |
| Mississippi | 4th to 21st | Social Security number |
| Tennessee | 1st to 20th | Social Security number |
If you move to another state, your deposit date changes with your new case. For the full 50-state list, see our SNAP EBT deposit schedule by state roundup, or browse everything available in Arkansas on the Arkansas benefits page.
How to Apply for SNAP in Arkansas
If you are not receiving benefits yet, here is the process.
- Apply online. Submit a SNAP application through access.arkansas.gov. You can also apply in person at your local county DHS office or by mailing a paper application.
- Gather documents. Proof of identity, Arkansas residency, income for every household member, 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 shortly after filing. Missing a scheduled interview is one of the most common causes of delayed approval.
- Wait for the decision. DHS 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 EBT 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 Arkansas EBT deposit schedule for 2026?
Arkansas issues SNAP benefits from the 4th through the 13th of each month, based on the last digit of the primary account holder's Social Security number. SSNs ending in 0 or 1 pay on the 4th, and the schedule works through to SSNs ending in 9, which pay on the 13th.
How do I know my exact Arkansas EBT deposit date?
Match the last digit of the primary account holder's Social Security number to the schedule table above. If you are unsure which SSN is on file for your case, check your Access Arkansas account or call 1-800-482-8988.
What time does Arkansas EBT deposit?
Benefits usually load in the early morning hours of your scheduled date. Occasional processing delays of a few hours happen. Check again by mid-morning before contacting DHS.
Does Arkansas EBT deposit on weekends and holidays?
Yes. Arkansas pays on the same calendar date every month regardless of weekends or federal holidays. Your date does not shift to the next business day.
When do I get my first SNAP deposit after being approved in Arkansas?
Initial benefits, including any amount owed back to your application date, are generally issued within a few business days of DHS approving and entering your case. You then move to the regular SSN-based schedule for future months.
How do I check my Arkansas EBT balance?
Call 1-800-997-9999 anytime for an automated balance check, log in to access.arkansas.gov, use the Arkansas EBT mobile app, or read the balance printed on your grocery receipt.
Do unused Arkansas 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, about nine months, the remaining balance can be removed, so use the card at least once during that window.
What is the maximum SNAP benefit in Arkansas in 2026?
For fiscal year 2026, the maximum is $298 per month for one person and $994 for a household of four. Most households receive less than the maximum because the benefit equals the maximum allotment minus 30% of net income.
When does TEA cash assistance load on an Arkansas EBT card?
Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) cash benefits load onto the same EBT card on the 1st of every month, a fixed date that does not depend on your Social Security number.
Who do I call about a lost or stolen Arkansas EBT card?
Call 1-800-997-9999 immediately to report a lost or stolen card and request a replacement. You can also call the fraud hotline at 1-800-422-6641 if you suspect your benefits were stolen through skimming or another form of fraud.
