Why Your EBT Deposit Might Be Late and What to Do

Several issues within Missouri’s Department of Social Services can delay the monthly deposit of SNAP and Temporary Assistance benefits. Understanding these common roadblocks can help you identify why your payment might be late.

Case-Processing Backlogs and Staffing Shortfalls

An overstretched Family Support Division can lead to significant delays. When the department faces staffing shortfalls, it creates a backlog in processing cases, which slows down approvals and the timely issuance of benefits. This can also result in long wait times when you call for assistance.

Pending Interviews

Your benefits will not be released until you complete a required interview with the agency. If you have trouble getting through on the phone due to long hold times or dropped calls, your case can remain unfunded even if you are otherwise eligible for assistance.

Administrative or Eligibility Snags

Your case can be suspended if paperwork like a recertification packet or change report is late, unsigned, or missing information. Deposits are also held for conflicting answers on forms or if documents like pay stubs are not uploaded. Once corrected, benefits resume, but the payment for that month may arrive late.

Verification Discrepancies

If the information you provided about your income, household size, or immigration status does not match official records, it triggers a manual review. Your funds will not be added to your EBT card until a staff member resolves the discrepancy in your case file.

Systems or Technical Issues

Sometimes the delay is caused by technical problems on the state's end. Statewide IT upgrades, outages in the eligibility platform, or data-exchange glitches can interrupt the process that loads benefits onto EBT cards each night, causing a delay for many households.

Do EBT Benefits Expire or Roll Over?

In Missouri, any SNAP or Temporary Assistance benefits you do not spend will roll over to the next month. Both programs follow the same rollover rules, allowing you to save your balance for future purchases.

Each monthly deposit stays on your card for 274 days from the date it was issued. After this period, any unused portion is permanently removed. Using your card for purchases or checking your balance does not extend this nine-month deadline.

The state sends a reminder notice when a benefit has sat unused for about seven and a half months. This provides you with a window to use the funds before they are expunged. Benefits are also removed immediately if every member of the household is confirmed deceased.

How to Make Your EBT Benefits Last the Whole Month

Making your monthly benefits last until the next deposit requires a bit of planning. With some intentional spending habits and the right tools, you can stretch your budget and avoid running short on food. A few adjustments to your routine can help you get the most out of every dollar.

Track Spending and Earn Cashback

Download the Benny app and link your Missouri EBT card to see your real-time balance before, during, and after every purchase. Push alerts show exactly when benefits load and when a transaction hits, helping you pace your spending throughout the month.

Benny also provides automatic EBT cashback on purchases at Walmart, Costco, Walgreens, and other major retailers. This feature quietly returns a little money to your card, giving your budget some extra breathing room.

Use Double Up Food Bucks at Grocers

Stretch your fresh-produce dollars with Missouri’s Double Up Food Bucks program. At participating grocers like Town & Country Supermarkets, Apple Market, and Price Chopper, you get 50% off eligible fruits and vegetables—up to $25 per visit—when paying with your SNAP EBT card.

Match Your SNAP Dollars at Farmers Markets

Many farmers markets statewide also participate in the nutrition incentive program, matching up to $25 in tokens when you swipe your EBT card. This lets you double your haul of peak-season produce, which you can freeze or can for use during tighter weeks later in the month.

Order Groceries Online for Pickup

Use your EBT card to order groceries online for free curbside pickup. Many Walmart Supercenters, Hy-Vee stores, and select Aldi locations across Missouri offer this service. Building your cart at home lets you watch the total, remove impulse items, and lock in sale prices before they change.

Try reserving a pickup slot for the week your benefits load. This way, your staples are waiting for you, and you can start the month with your budget already in check.

Plan Meals to Reduce Food Waste

Following the MU Extension guide can prevent EBT dollars from leaking away. It outlines a few simple steps to take each week:

• Inventory what is already in the fridge.

• Plan meals around those items.

• Write a short shopping list for only the gaps.

Using a first-in, first-out rotation for storage also keeps food from spoiling, saving you money over time.