Why Your EBT Deposit Might Be Late and What to Do

Several factors can cause a delay in your EBT benefits. These issues are often related to internal processing, technical difficulties, or compliance requirements rather than a problem with your EBT card itself.

Staffing Shortages

Chronic staffing shortages and high turnover within the agency can slow down the review and release of benefit files. After the public health emergency, many new workers were assigned to Medicaid redeterminations before completing their SNAP and TANF training, leaving fewer staff to authorize monthly payments.

System Overload and Technical Glitches

High demand can overwhelm the system. Seasonal application surges, like the back-to-school rush, create backlogs that delay authorizations. Georgia’s one-time $350 cash assistance program in 2022 also overloaded the Gateway system. Technical problems with the portal or payment processors can halt deposits until fixes are made.

Federal Oversight

Georgia is currently under a USDA corrective-action plan for not meeting timeliness standards. This can lead to extra manual reviews of cases, which may hold up deposits. Delays can also occur while the state waits for pending federal waivers to be approved.

Suspected Fraud

If the Department of Human Services detects potential fraud, such as card skimming, your account may be frozen. This measure is taken while investigators verify the claim. The freeze can delay both your regular monthly deposit and the issuance of a replacement card.

Administrative or Eligibility Snags

Your benefits may be suspended if required paperwork is missing, late, or incomplete, such as renewal packets or income verification. Unresolved issues with your identity, residency, or Social Security number can also place your case on hold.

For TANF recipients, failing to meet work-activity requirements or child-support cooperation can block a month’s payment. Fraud investigations or outstanding overpayment claims may also freeze benefits until the issue is resolved.

Do EBT Benefits Expire or Roll Over?

Unused EBT benefits in Georgia do roll over from month to month, but the rules for how long they remain available differ between food and cash assistance programs.

Food Assistance Benefits

Your SNAP and P-EBT funds automatically carry over to the next month. However, the account must have at least one transaction within a 274-day period to keep the balance active. After 274 days of inactivity, the system will permanently remove the oldest month's benefits.

If your card is inactive for 180 days, the funds are considered "stale." Georgia may then apply up to one month of these benefits toward an outstanding claim after notifying you. Any card use resets this timer and protects your balance.

Cash Assistance Benefits

TANF cash assistance funds also roll over each month without expiring. Unlike SNAP, Georgia does not expunge these benefits due to inactivity. The money remains on your card until you spend or withdraw it, and the state cannot use it to settle a debt.

How to Make Your EBT Benefits Last the Whole Month

Making your EBT benefits last the entire month comes down to smart planning and intentional spending. A little foresight can help you avoid running out of funds before your next deposit arrives. Consider these five approaches to stretch your funds and reduce financial stress.

Know Your Deposit Schedule

Georgia issues SNAP on a rolling schedule based on your case number, with benefits loaded between the 1st and the 23rd of the month. You can confirm your exact date by checking the official state schedule to know when to expect your funds.

Create a Weekly Allowance

Once you know your deposit date, divide your total monthly allotment into four weekly allowances. This approach prevents a large early-month shopping trip from leaving you short on funds later. Sticking to a weekly budget, which you can plan using a deposit guide, helps ensure you have enough for the entire month.

Track Spending and Earn Cashback

Link your EBT card to the Benny app to see your balance in real time without calling the number on the card. The app also lets you activate EBT-eligible cashback offers at chains like Walmart and Costco, putting money back on your card for your next trip.

Double Your Produce Dollars

Use the Wholesome Wave Georgia Fresh for Less program at participating farmers markets. When you swipe your EBT card, the program doubles what you spend on fruits and vegetables. This match turns $15 of benefits into $30 of fresh produce, keeping nutrition high and grocery bills low.

Use Oldest Benefits First

Unused SNAP dollars roll over, but Georgia removes any funds that sit untouched for 12 months. To avoid losing benefits, make a habit of using your oldest balance first. You can track the "available since" date in your Georgia Gateway account or on the Benny app to see which funds are about to age out.