Maryland loads SNAP benefits onto your Independence Card between the 4th and the 23rd of every month. Your specific deposit day is set by the first three letters of your last name, and it does not change from month to month. If your last name starts with AAA through BAO, your benefits arrive on the 4th. If it starts with WET through ZZZ, they arrive on the 23rd. This guide gives you the complete Maryland Department of Human Services issuance schedule, the 2026 benefit amounts, and what to do when a deposit does not show up.
Maryland SNAP EBT Deposit Schedule 2026
Maryland uses an alphabetical issuance schedule that has been in effect since January 2016. Find the first three letters of your last name in the table below to see your deposit day.
| Deposit Day of Month | First Three Letters of Last Name |
|---|
| 4th | AAA to BAO |
| 5th | BAP to BQZ |
| 6th | BRA to CAQ |
| 7th | CAR to COQ |
| 8th | COR to DIZ |
| 9th | DJA to FIS |
| 10th | FIT to GON |
| 11th | GOO to HAX |
| 12th | HAY to JAB |
| 13th | JAC to KIM |
| 14th | KIN to LOX |
| 15th | LOY to MCO |
| 16th | MCP to NEF |
| 17th | NEG to PGZ |
| 18th | PHA to RIC |
| 19th | RID to SDZ |
| 20th | SEA to STC |
| 21st | STD to TRA |
| 22nd | TRB to WES |
| 23rd | WET to ZZZ |
Source: Maryland Department of Human Services, Food Supplement Benefits Schedule.
Three things about this schedule that trip people up:
It is calendar day, not business day. Unlike Pennsylvania and several other states, Maryland does not push deposits to the next business day. If your day is the 14th and the 14th is a Sunday, your benefits still post on the 14th. EBT deposits are electronic and do not wait for banking hours.
It uses three letters, not one. A last name of "Cortez" falls in the COR to DIZ range and loads on the 8th. A last name of "Carter" falls in CAR to COQ and loads on the 7th. Both start with C, but they land on different days. Read all three letters.
It is based on the head of household's last name, meaning the name on the SNAP case, not on every person in the household. If a spouse or child has a different surname, the case name is what controls.
If your last name is only one or two letters long, or if you sit right on the boundary between two ranges, call 1-800-997-2222 or your local Department of Social Services to confirm which day your case was assigned rather than guessing.
Maryland Deposit Dates by Month for 2026
Because Maryland uses fixed calendar dates, your date is the same every single month of 2026. There is no shifting calendar to track.
| Month | Earliest Deposits (AAA to BAO) | Latest Deposits (WET to ZZZ) |
|---|
| January 2026 | January 4 | January 23 |
| February 2026 | February 4 | February 23 |
| March 2026 | March 4 | March 23 |
| April 2026 | April 4 | April 23 |
| May 2026 | May 4 | May 23 |
| June 2026 | June 4 | June 23 |
| July 2026 | July 4 | July 23 |
| August 2026 | August 4 | August 23 |
| September 2026 | September 4 | September 23 |
| October 2026 | October 4 | October 23 |
| November 2026 | November 4 | November 23 |
| December 2026 | December 4 | December 23 |
Benefits are generally available at the start of your deposit day, so the balance is usually there when stores open that morning.
A note on outdated schedules floating around online: some third-party sites and an old ConnectEBT PDF still show a Maryland food stamp schedule running from the 6th to the 15th based on the first letter of your last name. That schedule was effective in 2003 and was replaced. The 4th through 23rd schedule above is the current one published by DHS.
Temporary Cash Assistance Deposits Are on a Separate Schedule
If you receive Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), Maryland's TANF program, that money posts to the same Independence Card but on its own timeline near the start of the month, typically between the 2nd and the 4th, grouped by the first letter of the last name. Cash and food benefits sit in separate purses on the card. Your food benefit balance cannot be withdrawn as cash, and your cash benefit can be used at ATMs and for non-food purchases.
If you get both, expect two separate deposits on two different days. Confirm your exact cash date by calling 1-800-997-2222 or your local Department of Social Services.
New Maryland EBT Chip Cards in 2026
Maryland is replacing every Independence Card with a chip-and-tap EMV card. The key dates:
- May 18, 2026: Card freeze feature launched, letting you lock your card between purchases to block skimming.
- July 2026: New chip cards mailed to all cardholders, with delivery completed by July 31, 2026.
- September 30, 2026: Old magnetic-stripe cards stop working.
When your new card arrives, activate it by calling 1-800-997-2222 and set a new PIN. You must choose a new PIN even if you liked your old one. Then cut through the magnetic stripe on the old card and throw it out.
None of this changes your deposit day, your benefit amount, or your case. The upgrade is a security change only. DHS also recommends registering on the official ebtEDGE portal or app rather than third-party balance apps, and making sure your mailing address is current at MarylandBenefits.gov so your new card reaches you.
Card replacement costs: the first replacement in any 12-month period is free. After that there is a $2.00 fee, taken from your SNAP balance first and your cash balance second.
Maryland SNAP Benefit Amounts for 2026
Benefit amounts run on the federal fiscal year. The figures below took effect October 1, 2025 and run through September 30, 2026.
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly SNAP 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 |
Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Service, SNAP FY 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment memo.
Most households receive less than the maximum. The formula subtracts 30 percent of your net income from the maximum allotment for your household size. Households with essentially no income receive close to the full amount. The minimum benefit for eligible one and two person households is $24 per month.
Deductions that lower your countable income for FY 2026 include a $209 standard deduction for households of one to three people, a shelter cost deduction capped at $744 for households without an elderly or disabled member, and a homeless shelter deduction of up to $198.99.
Maryland Food Supplement Program Income Limits
Maryland calls SNAP the Food Supplement Program. The state uses broad-based categorical eligibility, which raises the gross income cutoff to 200 percent of the federal poverty level and removes the asset test for most households.
Gross monthly income limits under Maryland's 200 percent categorical eligibility standard, effective October 2025:
| Household Size | 200% FPL Gross Monthly Income |
|---|
| 1 | $2,610 |
| 2 | $3,526 |
| 3 | $4,442 |
| 4 | $5,360 |
| 5 | $6,276 |
| 6 | $7,192 |
| 7 | $8,110 |
| 8 | $9,026 |
| Each additional person | +$918 |
Federal standards Maryland also publishes, for reference:
| Household Size | Gross Monthly (130% FPL) | Net Monthly (100% FPL) |
|---|
| 1 | $1,696 | $1,305 |
| 2 | $2,292 | $1,763 |
| 3 | $2,888 | $2,221 |
| 4 | $3,483 | $2,680 |
| 5 | $4,079 | $3,138 |
| 6 | $4,675 | $3,596 |
| 7 | $5,271 | $4,055 |
| 8 | $5,867 | $4,513 |
| Each additional person | +$596 | +$459 |
Source: Maryland DHS Family Investment Administration Income Guidelines as of October 2025, and the USDA FY 2026 COLA memo.
Households with a member age 60 or older or a member with a disability are not subject to the gross income test. They are tested on net income after deductions, and they have a $4,500 asset limit where an asset test applies. For everyone else the federal asset limit is $3,000, though Maryland's categorical eligibility waives it for most cases.
What to Do If Your Maryland EBT Deposit Is Late
- Recheck the first three letters of your last name against the schedule table. This is the most common cause of a "missing" deposit. People assume they are on the 6th when they are actually on the 8th.
- Check your balance directly. Call 1-800-997-2222, which is free and staffed 24 hours a day, or log into the ebtEDGE portal. Do not rely on a third-party app that may cache an old balance.
- Confirm your case is still open. Log into MarylandBenefits.gov to check your recertification date. A missed redetermination or an unreturned verification request will stop benefits without warning.
- Call DHS at 1-800-332-6347 if the balance is zero and your case looks active. TTY users can call 1-800-735-2258 or dial 7-1-1.
- Get food today if you need it. Maryland Hunger Solutions and the Maryland Food Bank network can connect you to a pantry the same day while your case is sorted out.
If your card was lost, stolen, or skimmed, call 1-800-997-2222 immediately to freeze and replace it.
Work Requirement Changes Affecting Maryland SNAP in 2026
Federal legislation signed July 4, 2025 expanded the able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD) rules. Starting November 1, 2025, the work requirement applies to adults ages 18 through 64, up from the previous ceiling of 54. It also now covers groups that used to be exempt, including veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth.
Covered adults must complete at least 80 hours per month of work, a work program, or approved volunteer activity to keep benefits past a three-month limit. Press reporting on the rollout has put the number of additional Marylanders affected at up to 80,000, with most encountering the rule at their recertification during 2026.
Exemptions still apply if you are under 18 or 65 and older, care for a child under 6 or a dependent adult, live with a household member under 14, work 30 or more hours a week or earn at least $217.50 per week, are unable to work for physical or mental health reasons, attend school or training at least half-time, receive or applied for unemployment benefits, or are an Indian, Urban Indian, or California Indian.
If a notice about work requirements arrives, respond by the deadline. Benefits stop automatically when a deadline passes without a response.
SUN Bucks Summer Deposits
Maryland participates in Summer EBT, branded SUN Bucks. For summer 2026, eligible school-age children received $40 per month in June, July, and August, for a total of $120 per child. Families already receiving SNAP or TCA were enrolled automatically and saw the money added to the same Independence Card. Families whose children were not auto-enrolled could apply through the DHS SUN Bucks page. These deposits are separate from your regular monthly SNAP issuance and follow their own timing.
For more on Maryland assistance programs, see our Maryland benefits page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What day does EBT deposit in Maryland?
Between the 4th and the 23rd of each month, determined by the first three letters of your last name. AAA to BAO deposits on the 4th, and the schedule runs alphabetically through WET to ZZZ on the 23rd. Your day stays the same every month.
Does Maryland EBT deposit on weekends and holidays?
Yes. Maryland issues on fixed calendar dates, not business days. If your deposit day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, the benefits still post that day.
What time do Maryland EBT benefits become available?
Benefits are generally on the card at the start of your scheduled day. Most recipients see the updated balance first thing in the morning.
How do I check my Maryland EBT balance?
Call 1-800-997-2222 free of charge, 24 hours a day, and enter your 16-digit card number. You can also check on the ebtEDGE portal or app, or read the remaining balance printed on a store receipt after a purchase.
Do Maryland SNAP benefits expire?
Unused benefits carry over month to month and do not reset at the end of the month. However, benefits can be removed from an account with no purchase activity for an extended period, so make at least one transaction periodically to keep the account active.
What is the maximum SNAP benefit in Maryland for 2026?
$298 for a one-person household and $994 for a household of four, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Most households receive less based on their net income after deductions.
What is the income limit for food stamps in Maryland?
Maryland uses broad-based categorical eligibility with a gross income cutoff of 200 percent of the federal poverty level: $2,610 per month for one person, $4,442 for three people, and $5,360 for four people. Households with an elderly or disabled member are tested on net income instead.
Why did my Maryland EBT deposit not arrive on my usual day?
The most common reasons are a case that closed at recertification, an unreturned verification request, a reported change that lowered or ended your benefit, or misreading the three-letter schedule. Check MarylandBenefits.gov for case status, then call DHS at 1-800-332-6347.
When do the new Maryland chip EBT cards arrive?
DHS is mailing new chip-and-tap Independence Cards in July 2026, with all cardholders receiving them by July 31, 2026. Old magnetic-stripe cards stop working September 30, 2026. Activate the new card at 1-800-997-2222 and set a new PIN.
Can I use my Maryland EBT card in another state?
Yes. SNAP benefits work at any USDA-authorized retailer nationwide, including most grocery chains, Walmart, Target, Aldi, Costco, many farmers markets, and approved online grocery delivery.
Is the Independence Card the same as an EBT card?
Yes. Independence Card is Maryland's name for its EBT card. It carries both Food Supplement Program benefits and Temporary Cash Assistance in separate accounts on the same card.
