Missouri loads SNAP benefits onto your EBT card once a month on a date set by two things: the birth month of the head of household and the first letter of that person's last name. Deposits are spread across the first 22 days of every month and post at 6:00 a.m. on your assigned date. If you were born in January and your last name starts with A through K, your benefits load on the 1st. If you were born in December, you get paid on the 22nd regardless of your last name. Missouri does not move your date for weekends or holidays.
This guide covers the full 2026 Missouri EBT deposit schedule, the separate Temporary Assistance schedule, what to do when a deposit does not show up, and current Missouri SNAP income limits and application steps.
How Missouri Sets Your Deposit Date
The Missouri Department of Social Services, through its Family Support Division (FSD), administers SNAP in the state. Rather than paying every household on the 1st, FSD staggers issuance across 22 calendar days.
A common piece of misinformation online says Missouri assigns deposit dates by the last digit of your case number or EBT card number. That is not how it works here. Per the Missouri DSS EBT Manual, food stamp availability on the regular payroll "is determined by both birth month and the first letter of the recipient's last name," producing 22 different availability dates running from the 1st through the 22nd.
Your date belongs to the payee, meaning the head of household listed on the case. It is not based on your own birthday if someone else is the payee, and it is not based on the day you applied. Once your case is open, the date stays the same every month unless the payee on the case changes.
Missouri EBT Deposit Schedule 2026
Find the payee's birth month, then the first letter of that person's last name.
| Birth Month | Last Name A to K | Last Name L to Z |
|---|
| January | 1st | 2nd |
| February | 3rd | 4th |
| March | 5th | 6th |
| April | 7th | 7th |
| May | 8th | 9th |
| June | 10th | 11th |
| July | 12th | 13th |
| August | 14th | 15th |
| September | 16th | 17th |
| October | 18th | 19th |
| November | 20th | 21st |
| December | 22nd | 22nd |
Two rows break the pattern, and they trip people up:
- April birthdays all pay on the 7th, whether the last name starts with A or Z.
- December birthdays all pay on the 22nd, whether the last name starts with A or Z.
Every other month splits into two dates. That is how 12 birth months and 26 letters compress into exactly 22 issuance days.
Worked examples: a payee born in June with the last name Nguyen is paid on the 11th of every month. A payee born in October with the last name Brown is paid on the 18th. A payee born in April with the last name Williams is paid on the 7th. This schedule holds for all 12 months of 2026, January through December.
This table reflects the schedule published by Missouri DSS on mydss.mo.gov and the rule described in the state's own EBT manual. Because the schedule is administered case by case, confirm your specific date through your FSD Benefit Portal account at my.mo.gov/fsdbenefits or by calling FSD at 855-373-4636 before you rely on it for a bill or a grocery trip.
Weekends and Holidays: Missouri Does Not Shift Your Date
This is the question that generates the most confusion, and Missouri answers it plainly. The DSS EBT Manual states, in the food stamps section, that "the regular payroll availability date is based on the payee's birth month and is available on that date even if it is a Sunday or a holiday."
So if your date is the 5th and the 5th lands on a Sunday, your benefits still post that Sunday at 6:00 a.m. If your date is the 4th and it falls on Independence Day, you still get paid that morning. There is no next-business-day shift for regular monthly SNAP issuance in Missouri.
What does close on weekends and state holidays is the FSD office network. If something goes wrong on a holiday deposit date, the EBT card help desk is still open 24 hours a day, but reaching a caseworker about your case may have to wait until the next business day.
Temporary Assistance Uses a Different Schedule
If your household also receives Temporary Assistance (Missouri's TANF cash program), that money does not follow the 22-day SNAP calendar. Cash benefits are grouped by birth quarter and land in the first four days of the month.
| Payee Birth Month | Temporary Assistance Deposit Date |
|---|
| January, February, March | 1st |
| April, May, June | 2nd |
| July, August, September | 3rd |
| October, November, December | 4th |
Both SNAP and cash benefits become available at 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled date. A household getting both will usually see two separate deposits on two different days.
Deposits That Post Outside the Regular Schedule
Not every load follows the monthly calendar. Missouri handles new approvals, corrections, and emergency cases on a rolling basis.
- Expedited SNAP. Households approved for expedited service have benefits shown as available one day after authorization, not on the birth-month date.
- Second-month benefits for expedited cases. These become available on the first day of that month.
- Daily authorizations after the regular payroll date. If your caseworker authorizes benefits after your assigned date has already passed, the money shows as available one day after authorization.
- Daily authorizations before the regular payroll date. These follow the standard birth-month and last-name date.
- Temporary Assistance daily authorizations. Cash authorized outside the regular payroll becomes available five calendar days after the caseworker authorizes it.
The practical takeaway: your first deposit after approval often arrives off-cycle. After that, you settle into your permanent birth-month date.
How to Check Your Missouri EBT Balance
Missouri uses the ebtEDGE system, run by FIS, for cardholder services. You have four ways to see your balance:
- Phone: Call EBT card member services at 1-800-997-7777, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays. Free from any phone.
- Online: Log in to the ebtEDGE cardholder portal at ebtedge.com.
- Mobile app: Download the official ebtEDGE app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
- Receipt: Your remaining balance prints at the bottom of every SNAP purchase receipt.
For case questions rather than card questions, use the FSD Benefit Portal at my.mo.gov/fsdbenefits or call the FSD Information Center at 855-373-4636.
What to Do If Your Benefits Did Not Load
Work through these before assuming something is wrong with your case.
Step 1. Confirm whose birthday and whose last name the case uses. This is the single most common error. The date follows the payee, not whoever is standing in the checkout line.
Step 2. Check after 6:00 a.m. Central. Balances queried at midnight will still show last month's figure.
Step 3. Ask whether you were recently approved, recently reported a change, or received a supplement. Those issuances follow the next-day rule above, not your birth-month date.
Step 4. Confirm your case is still open. A missed recertification interview, an unreturned call, or missing verification paperwork stops issuance without any deposit ever appearing. Log in to the FSD Benefit Portal and check your case status and any pending requests.
Step 5. Call. Use 1-800-997-7777 for card, PIN, and balance problems, and 855-373-4636 for case status. If your balance is wrong because of unauthorized transactions, report it immediately.
Card Skimming and Stolen Benefits: The 2026 Warning
Federal funding to replace SNAP benefits stolen electronically ended December 20, 2024. Missouri DSS states that benefits stolen after that date are no longer eligible for replacement. If a skimmer drains your account, that money is generally gone.
Skimming works by capturing your card number and PIN together from a compromised card reader, then draining the account the moment new benefits land. Missouri's own guidance recommends three habits:
- Change your PIN often, ideally right before your deposit date. You can change it any time at 1-800-997-7777 or in the ebtEDGE app. A fresh PIN makes stolen data useless.
- Avoid self-checkout terminals when you can. They are the most common place skimming hardware is installed.
- Block out-of-state transactions through your card settings, and check transaction history regularly.
If you believe your card was compromised, call 1-800-997-7777 immediately, ask for the card to be deactivated, and request a replacement.
Missouri SNAP Income Limits for 2026
Missouri is one of a small group of states that has not adopted broad-based categorical eligibility. That means Missouri applies the standard federal income tests plus an asset test, instead of the higher 165% or 200% thresholds some neighboring states use.
Most households must pass both a gross income test at 130% of the federal poverty level and a net income test at 100%. The figures below are the federal standards in effect October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit | Net Monthly Income Limit | Maximum Monthly Benefit |
|---|
| 1 | $1,696 | $1,305 | $298 |
| 2 | $2,292 | $1,763 | $546 |
| 3 | $2,888 | $2,221 | $785 |
| 4 | $3,483 | $2,680 | $994 |
| 5 | $4,079 | $3,138 | $1,183 |
| 6 | $4,675 | $3,596 | $1,421 |
| 7 | $5,271 | $4,055 | $1,571 |
| 8 | $5,867 | $4,513 | $1,789 |
| Each additional person | +$596 | +$459 | +$218 |
Households where every member receives SSI or Temporary Assistance are categorically eligible and skip the income tests. Households with a member age 60 or older or with a disability are exempt from the gross income test and only need to meet the net limit. The minimum monthly benefit for eligible one and two person households is $24.
New figures take effect October 1, 2026 for federal fiscal year 2027. Until then, the numbers above are current.
Resource Limits
| Household Type | Countable Resource Limit |
|---|
| Household with a member age 60 or older, or disabled | $4,500 |
| All other households | $3,000 |
Countable resources are liquid assets such as cash, checking and savings balances, and stocks. Your home does not count, and vehicles used for household transportation are excluded.
Deductions That Lower Your Countable Income
Missouri does not calculate your benefit from gross income. These come off first:
| Deduction | Amount |
|---|
| Standard deduction, household size 1 to 3 | $209 |
| Standard deduction, household size 4 | $223 |
| Standard deduction, household size 5 | $261 |
| Standard deduction, household size 6 or more | $299 |
| Maximum excess shelter deduction | $744 |
| Earned income deduction | 20% of earnings |
| Standard medical deduction, age 60+ or disabled | Actual costs above $35 |
Missouri also applies utility standards toward the shelter deduction. The FSD SNAP manual lists a Standard Utility Allowance of $495, a non-heating and cooling standard of $363, a lower utility allowance of $158, and a telephone standard of $79. FSD reviews these amounts annually, so confirm the current figure with your caseworker.
Because of these deductions, plenty of households with gross income close to the limit still qualify for a meaningful monthly benefit.
Work Requirements in Missouri for 2026
Missouri enforces the able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) time limit and does not maintain a statewide waiver, so federal changes signed into law in July 2025 apply here directly:
- The ABAWD age range expanded from 18 to 54 up to 18 to 64
- ABAWDs must complete 80 hours per month of work, approved training, or volunteer service to keep benefits beyond three months in a 36-month window
- Parents become subject to work requirements once their youngest child turns 14, rather than 18
Exemptions remain for people physically or mentally unfit for work, pregnant individuals, those caring for an incapacitated household member, and anyone already working 30 or more hours a week. If you get a work requirement notice and think an exemption applies, respond before the deadline printed on the notice rather than waiting for benefits to stop.
How to Apply for SNAP in Missouri
Option 1: Apply online. Start at mydss.mo.gov. This is the fastest route and lets you upload documents and track your case afterward through the FSD Benefit Portal.
Option 2: Apply by phone. Call the FSD Information Center at 855-373-4636 for help completing an application.
Option 3: Apply in person. Visit an FSD Resource Center. The office locator at dss.mo.gov lists locations statewide.
Option 4: Apply by mail or fax. Download the paper application from mydss.mo.gov and send it to FSD.
Documents to Have Ready
- Photo ID for the head of household
- Social Security numbers for everyone applying
- Proof of Missouri residency, such as a lease, utility bill, or mail with your address
- Proof of all household income for the last 30 days
- Proof of rent or mortgage and utility costs
- Bank statements, since Missouri applies an asset test
- Medical expense receipts if a member is 60 or older or disabled
- Child care or dependent care costs, if any
FSD must process a standard application within 30 days. Households in immediate need may qualify for expedited processing within 7 days if gross monthly income is under $150 and liquid resources are $100 or less, if combined income and resources are less than monthly rent plus utilities, or if the household consists of migrant or seasonal farmworkers with limited resources.
Once approved, your Missouri EBT card is mailed to the address on your case and typically arrives within 5 to 7 business days. Activate it and set a PIN by calling 1-800-997-7777 or through ebtedge.com.
Missouri residents may also qualify for MO HealthNet, LIHEAP energy assistance, WIC, and child care subsidies. See the Missouri benefits overview for the full list, or compare payment dates in other states on our national SNAP EBT deposit schedule guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What day does Missouri EBT deposit in 2026?
Your deposit day is set by the head of household's birth month and the first letter of their last name, and falls somewhere between the 1st and the 22nd. January birthdays pay on the 1st or 2nd, June birthdays on the 10th or 11th, and December birthdays on the 22nd. The date is the same every month of 2026.
What time does Missouri EBT reload?
Benefits are available at 6:00 a.m. Central on your scheduled date. This applies to both SNAP and Temporary Assistance. If your balance has not updated after 6:00 a.m., call 1-800-997-7777.
Does Missouri EBT deposit on weekends and holidays?
Yes. The Missouri DSS EBT Manual states that the regular payroll availability date is available on that date even if it is a Sunday or a holiday. Missouri does not push deposits to the next business day.
Is my Missouri EBT date based on my case number?
No. Several third-party sites claim Missouri uses the last digit of the case number. The state's own EBT manual and the schedule published on mydss.mo.gov both key the date to the payee's birth month and the first letter of their last name.
Can I change my Missouri EBT deposit date?
No. The date is assigned by the payee's birth month and last name and cannot be requested or moved. It only changes if the payee on the case changes or the last name on file changes.
Why did my first Missouri deposit come on a different day?
Expedited benefits and benefits authorized after your regular payroll date show as available one day after the caseworker authorizes them, rather than waiting for your birth-month date. Second-month expedited benefits post on the first day of that month. After that first issuance, deposits follow the regular schedule.
How much SNAP can a family of 4 get in Missouri in 2026?
The maximum monthly benefit for a four person household is $994 for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Most households receive less, since the benefit is the maximum minus 30% of net income after deductions.
What is the income limit for food stamps in Missouri in 2026?
Most households need gross monthly income at or below $1,696 for one person or $3,483 for a family of four, and net income at or below $1,305 and $2,680 respectively. Missouri also applies an asset test of $3,000, or $4,500 if a household member is 60 or older or has a disability.
Will Missouri replace SNAP benefits stolen from my card?
No. Federal funding for replacing electronically stolen SNAP benefits ended December 20, 2024, and Missouri states that benefits stolen after that date are not eligible for replacement. Change your PIN frequently, avoid self-checkout readers, and report a suspected compromise to 1-800-997-7777 right away.
How do I replace a lost or stolen Missouri EBT card?
Call 1-800-997-7777 to report the card, have it deactivated, and request a replacement. You can also request one through the ebtEDGE portal or app. Replacement cards generally take about a week to arrive, and you will not have access to benefits during that window.
