EBT Deposit Schedule in North Dakota (2025)

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Knowing when your SNAP benefits will arrive helps you budget for groceries and plan your shopping trips. It provides peace of mind and helps you manage your monthly food expenses without guesswork.

This guide will walk you through the payment schedule and explain what to do if your benefits don't show up on time.

Monthly EBT Deposit Schedule in North Dakota

North Dakota simplifies its EBT deposit schedule by issuing benefits on a single day. Instead of staggering payments based on case numbers or other factors, all SNAP benefits are available on the 1st of every month.

This date is fixed, meaning your funds will arrive on the first even if it is a weekend or holiday. The state's EBT handbook confirms that cash assistance programs like TANF also follow this same monthly schedule.

How to Find Your Case Number

While your case number does not determine your payment date, you may need it for other inquiries. If you need information about your case or written confirmation of your benefits, you have a few options.

Call the EBT customer service line at 1-800-630-4655 for automated information.
Contact your local Human Service Zone office. You can locate the nearest office through the state's website.
Review the EBT Client Handbook for general program details.

How to Check Your EBT Deposit Status

Once the first of the month rolls around, you can confirm your deposit has been made in a few different ways. For a complete rundown of all your options, check out our guide to checking your EBT balance. The three most convenient methods are:

Online Portal: Log into the ebtEDGE cardholder portal. After creating an account with your card details, you can see your current SNAP and cash balances on the summary screen and look through your transaction history.
Benny App: The Benny app shows your real-time food and cash balance and gives you cash back on groceries at participating stores. Just download the app, link your EBT card, and tap the balance icon.
Customer Service Line: Call the toll-free EBT customer service line at 1-800-630-4655. The automated system is available 24/7. Just follow the prompts and enter your card number and PIN to hear your balance.

Check Your SNAP & EBT Cash Balance In Real Time

Download the app

Why Your EBT Deposit Might Be Late and What to Do

In North Dakota, both SNAP and TANF benefits are distributed through the same EBT system. A delay in your deposit can happen for several program, operational, or case-specific reasons.

High Caseloads and Staffing Issues

Following the pandemic, high caseloads combined with staff shortages have slowed down the processing of applications and recertifications. This backlog can lead to late case approvals, causing benefits to be loaded after the regularly scheduled date.

State Corrective Action Plans

The USDA sometimes requires North Dakota to implement corrective action plans for its SNAP performance. During these review periods or data clean-ups, some benefit issuances may be temporarily paused until any identified errors are resolved.

System Maintenance or Outages

The state's EBT or eligibility systems can experience technical difficulties. Scheduled maintenance, hardware failures, or network outages can stop benefit files from being sent to the card processor, pushing deposits back by hours or even days.

Severe Weather or Emergencies

Major events like the December 2023 ice storm can force office closures and divert staff to handle disaster-related tasks. This can delay the processing of routine monthly benefit files while workers focus on emergency issuances.

Administrative or Eligibility Snags

An issue with your specific case is a common reason for a hold. This can include a pending six-month review, an incomplete annual renewal, or missing proof of income or identity. Unreported changes to your household or address can also trigger a manual review.

Data mismatches, suspected fraud, or sanctions for not meeting work requirements can also flag your case. The system will not send your benefit file until a caseworker clears the issue.

Do EBT Benefits Expire or Roll Over?

In North Dakota, unused EBT funds automatically roll over each month, so you don't lose them if you don't spend them right away. The rules for how long the balance remains available depend on whether they are SNAP or TANF benefits.

Food Assistance (SNAP)

Unused food benefits carry forward and stay in your account even after your case closes. However, the balance will be permanently removed if your account has no activity for 274 consecutive days or if all household members are reported deceased. The state provides a 30-day warning notice before expunging funds for inactivity, as detailed in its program publications.

Cash Assistance (TANF)

TANF cash assistance also remains on your card if unspent, and closing your case does not affect your balance. Current policy does not specify an inactivity deadline for these funds, so they are available until you use them or the state takes other action.

How to Make Your EBT Benefits Last the Whole Month

Making your monthly benefits stretch requires a bit of planning, especially with North Dakota's long drives and harsh winters. A few intentional spending habits can help you keep your pantry full and avoid running short before your next deposit.

Track Your Real-Time Balance

Knowing your exact balance before you shop prevents overspending. The Benny app, available on Google Play and the App Store, shows your SNAP and cash funds in real time so you never have to guess at the checkout line.

Earn Cashback on Purchases

The Benny app also provides EBT-eligible cashback when you shop at large chains like Walmart, Costco, and Trader Joe's. These rebates are automatically added back to your card, giving you a little extra for your next shopping trip without filling out any forms.

Plan Around Weekly Sales Flyers

Build your shopping list after checking the new weekly ads, which most North Dakota chains post online by Wednesday night. Stores like Hornbacher’s highlight SNAP-eligible deals in their weekly specials.

Focusing your list on items that hit their four-to-six-week sale cycle helps you buy them at their lowest price. Clipping digital coupons in advance also means the discount comes off automatically.

Use Curbside Pickup

Using curbside pickup is a great way to stick to your shopping list and avoid impulse buys inside the store. Since you can use your SNAP EBT card for online orders and pickup in cities like Bismarck and Fargo, you can control your cart precisely.

You can also save on gas by scheduling pickups to align with other errands.

Double Your Produce Budget

You can stretch your food budget with the Double Up Dakota Bucks program. When you use your EBT card at participating farmers markets, you get a matching amount in "Dakota Bucks" to spend on fresh produce.

BisMarket in Bismarck
Red River Market in Fargo
Spirit Lake Mobile Market

This lets you buy more fruits and vegetables without dipping into your regular grocery funds.

Check Your EBT Balance & Get Cashback On SNAP

Download the app

What to Do if Your EBT Balance Runs Out Early

Seeing your EBT balance dwindle before the end of the month can be a stressful experience. It’s a challenging situation, but you have options to bridge the gap until your next deposit. Below are a few strategies you can use if you find yourself running short.

Apply for Emergency (Expedited) SNAP

If you need benefits within a week, you may qualify for expedited SNAP. Households with under $150 in gross monthly income, or whose income is less than their rent and utility costs, are entitled to same-day screening. You will need a photo ID, but other verifications can be postponed.

To apply, call the statewide Customer Support Center at 1-866-614-6005 or your local Human Service Zone office and state that you are requesting “expedited SNAP.”

You can also file a new application through the online portal. If you use this method, call staff afterward to let them know you believe you qualify for faster processing.

If you interview the same day, benefits must be on your card by the third calendar day. Otherwise, an interview must be set within two days, with benefits available by the seventh day. Ask for a written receipt showing the date your benefits will post.

If you are denied, you can request an on-the-spot supervisor review. The state allows for unlimited expedited certifications when circumstances warrant it.

Ask for a Benefit-Level Review

Certain life changes can move you into a higher SNAP allotment bracket. You should report any of the following as soon as they happen:

A drop in work hours or a job loss
New medical expenses over $35 per month
Higher rent or utility bills
The birth or placement of a child

Report these changes using the online portal or by emailing applyforhelp@nd.gov with “Change Report” in the subject line. Be sure to attach proof, such as pay stubs, leases, or utility shut-off notices.

After submitting your report, follow up with the Customer Support Center to confirm they received it. You can request a “supplemental issuance” so the increase appears before your next scheduled deposit. Contact information for your local zone office is available online.

Stretch the Gap With Statewide, No-Cost Protein and Produce Sources

The Great Plains Food Bank provides a partner-agency map that is updated in real time to help you find the next distribution in your area.

You can also check the Mobile Food Pantry schedule to find a drive-through distribution anywhere in the state.

When you call a pantry, ask if they receive venison or other wild-game donations through North Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger. One deer can provide more than 160 servings of protein, which is often frozen and pre-ground. For additional sites, dial 2-1-1 and ask for “food pantry listings with game-meat availability.”

Track Your EBT Balance and Earn Cashback with Benny

Benny is a free app that helps you track your EBT balance in real time and get cash back on eligible purchases at stores like Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Costco.

To get started, link your EBT card to the app. After you make a purchase, scan your receipt with Benny to receive cashback on SNAP-eligible items directly on your EBT card.

Download Benny to take control of your spending and get more from your EBT benefits.

SHARE

Knowing when your SNAP benefits will arrive helps you budget for groceries and plan your shopping trips. It provides peace of mind and helps you manage your monthly food expenses without guesswork.

This guide will walk you through the payment schedule and explain what to do if your benefits don't show up on time.

Monthly EBT Deposit Schedule in North Dakota

North Dakota simplifies its EBT deposit schedule by issuing benefits on a single day. Instead of staggering payments based on case numbers or other factors, all SNAP benefits are available on the 1st of every month.

This date is fixed, meaning your funds will arrive on the first even if it is a weekend or holiday. The state's EBT handbook confirms that cash assistance programs like TANF also follow this same monthly schedule.

How to Find Your Case Number

While your case number does not determine your payment date, you may need it for other inquiries. If you need information about your case or written confirmation of your benefits, you have a few options.

Call the EBT customer service line at 1-800-630-4655 for automated information.
Contact your local Human Service Zone office. You can locate the nearest office through the state's website.
Review the EBT Client Handbook for general program details.

How to Check Your EBT Deposit Status

Once the first of the month rolls around, you can confirm your deposit has been made in a few different ways. For a complete rundown of all your options, check out our guide to checking your EBT balance. The three most convenient methods are:

Online Portal: Log into the ebtEDGE cardholder portal. After creating an account with your card details, you can see your current SNAP and cash balances on the summary screen and look through your transaction history.
Benny App: The Benny app shows your real-time food and cash balance and gives you cash back on groceries at participating stores. Just download the app, link your EBT card, and tap the balance icon.
Customer Service Line: Call the toll-free EBT customer service line at 1-800-630-4655. The automated system is available 24/7. Just follow the prompts and enter your card number and PIN to hear your balance.

Check Your SNAP & EBT Cash Balance In Real Time

Download the app

Why Your EBT Deposit Might Be Late and What to Do

In North Dakota, both SNAP and TANF benefits are distributed through the same EBT system. A delay in your deposit can happen for several program, operational, or case-specific reasons.

High Caseloads and Staffing Issues

Following the pandemic, high caseloads combined with staff shortages have slowed down the processing of applications and recertifications. This backlog can lead to late case approvals, causing benefits to be loaded after the regularly scheduled date.

State Corrective Action Plans

The USDA sometimes requires North Dakota to implement corrective action plans for its SNAP performance. During these review periods or data clean-ups, some benefit issuances may be temporarily paused until any identified errors are resolved.

System Maintenance or Outages

The state's EBT or eligibility systems can experience technical difficulties. Scheduled maintenance, hardware failures, or network outages can stop benefit files from being sent to the card processor, pushing deposits back by hours or even days.

Severe Weather or Emergencies

Major events like the December 2023 ice storm can force office closures and divert staff to handle disaster-related tasks. This can delay the processing of routine monthly benefit files while workers focus on emergency issuances.

Administrative or Eligibility Snags

An issue with your specific case is a common reason for a hold. This can include a pending six-month review, an incomplete annual renewal, or missing proof of income or identity. Unreported changes to your household or address can also trigger a manual review.

Data mismatches, suspected fraud, or sanctions for not meeting work requirements can also flag your case. The system will not send your benefit file until a caseworker clears the issue.

Do EBT Benefits Expire or Roll Over?

In North Dakota, unused EBT funds automatically roll over each month, so you don't lose them if you don't spend them right away. The rules for how long the balance remains available depend on whether they are SNAP or TANF benefits.

Food Assistance (SNAP)

Unused food benefits carry forward and stay in your account even after your case closes. However, the balance will be permanently removed if your account has no activity for 274 consecutive days or if all household members are reported deceased. The state provides a 30-day warning notice before expunging funds for inactivity, as detailed in its program publications.

Cash Assistance (TANF)

TANF cash assistance also remains on your card if unspent, and closing your case does not affect your balance. Current policy does not specify an inactivity deadline for these funds, so they are available until you use them or the state takes other action.

How to Make Your EBT Benefits Last the Whole Month

Making your monthly benefits stretch requires a bit of planning, especially with North Dakota's long drives and harsh winters. A few intentional spending habits can help you keep your pantry full and avoid running short before your next deposit.

Track Your Real-Time Balance

Knowing your exact balance before you shop prevents overspending. The Benny app, available on Google Play and the App Store, shows your SNAP and cash funds in real time so you never have to guess at the checkout line.

Earn Cashback on Purchases

The Benny app also provides EBT-eligible cashback when you shop at large chains like Walmart, Costco, and Trader Joe's. These rebates are automatically added back to your card, giving you a little extra for your next shopping trip without filling out any forms.

Plan Around Weekly Sales Flyers

Build your shopping list after checking the new weekly ads, which most North Dakota chains post online by Wednesday night. Stores like Hornbacher’s highlight SNAP-eligible deals in their weekly specials.

Focusing your list on items that hit their four-to-six-week sale cycle helps you buy them at their lowest price. Clipping digital coupons in advance also means the discount comes off automatically.

Use Curbside Pickup

Using curbside pickup is a great way to stick to your shopping list and avoid impulse buys inside the store. Since you can use your SNAP EBT card for online orders and pickup in cities like Bismarck and Fargo, you can control your cart precisely.

You can also save on gas by scheduling pickups to align with other errands.

Double Your Produce Budget

You can stretch your food budget with the Double Up Dakota Bucks program. When you use your EBT card at participating farmers markets, you get a matching amount in "Dakota Bucks" to spend on fresh produce.

BisMarket in Bismarck
Red River Market in Fargo
Spirit Lake Mobile Market

This lets you buy more fruits and vegetables without dipping into your regular grocery funds.

Check Your EBT Balance & Get Cashback On SNAP

Download the app

What to Do if Your EBT Balance Runs Out Early

Seeing your EBT balance dwindle before the end of the month can be a stressful experience. It’s a challenging situation, but you have options to bridge the gap until your next deposit. Below are a few strategies you can use if you find yourself running short.

Apply for Emergency (Expedited) SNAP

If you need benefits within a week, you may qualify for expedited SNAP. Households with under $150 in gross monthly income, or whose income is less than their rent and utility costs, are entitled to same-day screening. You will need a photo ID, but other verifications can be postponed.

To apply, call the statewide Customer Support Center at 1-866-614-6005 or your local Human Service Zone office and state that you are requesting “expedited SNAP.”

You can also file a new application through the online portal. If you use this method, call staff afterward to let them know you believe you qualify for faster processing.

If you interview the same day, benefits must be on your card by the third calendar day. Otherwise, an interview must be set within two days, with benefits available by the seventh day. Ask for a written receipt showing the date your benefits will post.

If you are denied, you can request an on-the-spot supervisor review. The state allows for unlimited expedited certifications when circumstances warrant it.

Ask for a Benefit-Level Review

Certain life changes can move you into a higher SNAP allotment bracket. You should report any of the following as soon as they happen:

A drop in work hours or a job loss
New medical expenses over $35 per month
Higher rent or utility bills
The birth or placement of a child

Report these changes using the online portal or by emailing applyforhelp@nd.gov with “Change Report” in the subject line. Be sure to attach proof, such as pay stubs, leases, or utility shut-off notices.

After submitting your report, follow up with the Customer Support Center to confirm they received it. You can request a “supplemental issuance” so the increase appears before your next scheduled deposit. Contact information for your local zone office is available online.

Stretch the Gap With Statewide, No-Cost Protein and Produce Sources

The Great Plains Food Bank provides a partner-agency map that is updated in real time to help you find the next distribution in your area.

You can also check the Mobile Food Pantry schedule to find a drive-through distribution anywhere in the state.

When you call a pantry, ask if they receive venison or other wild-game donations through North Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger. One deer can provide more than 160 servings of protein, which is often frozen and pre-ground. For additional sites, dial 2-1-1 and ask for “food pantry listings with game-meat availability.”

Track Your EBT Balance and Earn Cashback with Benny

Benny is a free app that helps you track your EBT balance in real time and get cash back on eligible purchases at stores like Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Costco.

To get started, link your EBT card to the app. After you make a purchase, scan your receipt with Benny to receive cashback on SNAP-eligible items directly on your EBT card.

Download Benny to take control of your spending and get more from your EBT benefits.

SHARE

Knowing when your SNAP benefits will arrive helps you budget for groceries and plan your shopping trips. It provides peace of mind and helps you manage your monthly food expenses without guesswork.

This guide will walk you through the payment schedule and explain what to do if your benefits don't show up on time.

Monthly EBT Deposit Schedule in North Dakota

North Dakota simplifies its EBT deposit schedule by issuing benefits on a single day. Instead of staggering payments based on case numbers or other factors, all SNAP benefits are available on the 1st of every month.

This date is fixed, meaning your funds will arrive on the first even if it is a weekend or holiday. The state's EBT handbook confirms that cash assistance programs like TANF also follow this same monthly schedule.

How to Find Your Case Number

While your case number does not determine your payment date, you may need it for other inquiries. If you need information about your case or written confirmation of your benefits, you have a few options.

Call the EBT customer service line at 1-800-630-4655 for automated information.
Contact your local Human Service Zone office. You can locate the nearest office through the state's website.
Review the EBT Client Handbook for general program details.

How to Check Your EBT Deposit Status

Once the first of the month rolls around, you can confirm your deposit has been made in a few different ways. For a complete rundown of all your options, check out our guide to checking your EBT balance. The three most convenient methods are:

Online Portal: Log into the ebtEDGE cardholder portal. After creating an account with your card details, you can see your current SNAP and cash balances on the summary screen and look through your transaction history.
Benny App: The Benny app shows your real-time food and cash balance and gives you cash back on groceries at participating stores. Just download the app, link your EBT card, and tap the balance icon.
Customer Service Line: Call the toll-free EBT customer service line at 1-800-630-4655. The automated system is available 24/7. Just follow the prompts and enter your card number and PIN to hear your balance.

Check Your SNAP & EBT Cash Balance In Real Time

Download the app

Why Your EBT Deposit Might Be Late and What to Do

In North Dakota, both SNAP and TANF benefits are distributed through the same EBT system. A delay in your deposit can happen for several program, operational, or case-specific reasons.

High Caseloads and Staffing Issues

Following the pandemic, high caseloads combined with staff shortages have slowed down the processing of applications and recertifications. This backlog can lead to late case approvals, causing benefits to be loaded after the regularly scheduled date.

State Corrective Action Plans

The USDA sometimes requires North Dakota to implement corrective action plans for its SNAP performance. During these review periods or data clean-ups, some benefit issuances may be temporarily paused until any identified errors are resolved.

System Maintenance or Outages

The state's EBT or eligibility systems can experience technical difficulties. Scheduled maintenance, hardware failures, or network outages can stop benefit files from being sent to the card processor, pushing deposits back by hours or even days.

Severe Weather or Emergencies

Major events like the December 2023 ice storm can force office closures and divert staff to handle disaster-related tasks. This can delay the processing of routine monthly benefit files while workers focus on emergency issuances.

Administrative or Eligibility Snags

An issue with your specific case is a common reason for a hold. This can include a pending six-month review, an incomplete annual renewal, or missing proof of income or identity. Unreported changes to your household or address can also trigger a manual review.

Data mismatches, suspected fraud, or sanctions for not meeting work requirements can also flag your case. The system will not send your benefit file until a caseworker clears the issue.

Do EBT Benefits Expire or Roll Over?

In North Dakota, unused EBT funds automatically roll over each month, so you don't lose them if you don't spend them right away. The rules for how long the balance remains available depend on whether they are SNAP or TANF benefits.

Food Assistance (SNAP)

Unused food benefits carry forward and stay in your account even after your case closes. However, the balance will be permanently removed if your account has no activity for 274 consecutive days or if all household members are reported deceased. The state provides a 30-day warning notice before expunging funds for inactivity, as detailed in its program publications.

Cash Assistance (TANF)

TANF cash assistance also remains on your card if unspent, and closing your case does not affect your balance. Current policy does not specify an inactivity deadline for these funds, so they are available until you use them or the state takes other action.

How to Make Your EBT Benefits Last the Whole Month

Making your monthly benefits stretch requires a bit of planning, especially with North Dakota's long drives and harsh winters. A few intentional spending habits can help you keep your pantry full and avoid running short before your next deposit.

Track Your Real-Time Balance

Knowing your exact balance before you shop prevents overspending. The Benny app, available on Google Play and the App Store, shows your SNAP and cash funds in real time so you never have to guess at the checkout line.

Earn Cashback on Purchases

The Benny app also provides EBT-eligible cashback when you shop at large chains like Walmart, Costco, and Trader Joe's. These rebates are automatically added back to your card, giving you a little extra for your next shopping trip without filling out any forms.

Plan Around Weekly Sales Flyers

Build your shopping list after checking the new weekly ads, which most North Dakota chains post online by Wednesday night. Stores like Hornbacher’s highlight SNAP-eligible deals in their weekly specials.

Focusing your list on items that hit their four-to-six-week sale cycle helps you buy them at their lowest price. Clipping digital coupons in advance also means the discount comes off automatically.

Use Curbside Pickup

Using curbside pickup is a great way to stick to your shopping list and avoid impulse buys inside the store. Since you can use your SNAP EBT card for online orders and pickup in cities like Bismarck and Fargo, you can control your cart precisely.

You can also save on gas by scheduling pickups to align with other errands.

Double Your Produce Budget

You can stretch your food budget with the Double Up Dakota Bucks program. When you use your EBT card at participating farmers markets, you get a matching amount in "Dakota Bucks" to spend on fresh produce.

BisMarket in Bismarck
Red River Market in Fargo
Spirit Lake Mobile Market

This lets you buy more fruits and vegetables without dipping into your regular grocery funds.

Check Your EBT Balance & Get Cashback On SNAP

Download the app

What to Do if Your EBT Balance Runs Out Early

Seeing your EBT balance dwindle before the end of the month can be a stressful experience. It’s a challenging situation, but you have options to bridge the gap until your next deposit. Below are a few strategies you can use if you find yourself running short.

Apply for Emergency (Expedited) SNAP

If you need benefits within a week, you may qualify for expedited SNAP. Households with under $150 in gross monthly income, or whose income is less than their rent and utility costs, are entitled to same-day screening. You will need a photo ID, but other verifications can be postponed.

To apply, call the statewide Customer Support Center at 1-866-614-6005 or your local Human Service Zone office and state that you are requesting “expedited SNAP.”

You can also file a new application through the online portal. If you use this method, call staff afterward to let them know you believe you qualify for faster processing.

If you interview the same day, benefits must be on your card by the third calendar day. Otherwise, an interview must be set within two days, with benefits available by the seventh day. Ask for a written receipt showing the date your benefits will post.

If you are denied, you can request an on-the-spot supervisor review. The state allows for unlimited expedited certifications when circumstances warrant it.

Ask for a Benefit-Level Review

Certain life changes can move you into a higher SNAP allotment bracket. You should report any of the following as soon as they happen:

A drop in work hours or a job loss
New medical expenses over $35 per month
Higher rent or utility bills
The birth or placement of a child

Report these changes using the online portal or by emailing applyforhelp@nd.gov with “Change Report” in the subject line. Be sure to attach proof, such as pay stubs, leases, or utility shut-off notices.

After submitting your report, follow up with the Customer Support Center to confirm they received it. You can request a “supplemental issuance” so the increase appears before your next scheduled deposit. Contact information for your local zone office is available online.

Stretch the Gap With Statewide, No-Cost Protein and Produce Sources

The Great Plains Food Bank provides a partner-agency map that is updated in real time to help you find the next distribution in your area.

You can also check the Mobile Food Pantry schedule to find a drive-through distribution anywhere in the state.

When you call a pantry, ask if they receive venison or other wild-game donations through North Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger. One deer can provide more than 160 servings of protein, which is often frozen and pre-ground. For additional sites, dial 2-1-1 and ask for “food pantry listings with game-meat availability.”

Track Your EBT Balance and Earn Cashback with Benny

Benny is a free app that helps you track your EBT balance in real time and get cash back on eligible purchases at stores like Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Costco.

To get started, link your EBT card to the app. After you make a purchase, scan your receipt with Benny to receive cashback on SNAP-eligible items directly on your EBT card.

Download Benny to take control of your spending and get more from your EBT benefits.

SHARE

Knowing when your SNAP benefits will arrive helps you budget for groceries and plan your shopping trips. It provides peace of mind and helps you manage your monthly food expenses without guesswork.

This guide will walk you through the payment schedule and explain what to do if your benefits don't show up on time.

Monthly EBT Deposit Schedule in North Dakota

North Dakota simplifies its EBT deposit schedule by issuing benefits on a single day. Instead of staggering payments based on case numbers or other factors, all SNAP benefits are available on the 1st of every month.

This date is fixed, meaning your funds will arrive on the first even if it is a weekend or holiday. The state's EBT handbook confirms that cash assistance programs like TANF also follow this same monthly schedule.

How to Find Your Case Number

While your case number does not determine your payment date, you may need it for other inquiries. If you need information about your case or written confirmation of your benefits, you have a few options.

Call the EBT customer service line at 1-800-630-4655 for automated information.
Contact your local Human Service Zone office. You can locate the nearest office through the state's website.
Review the EBT Client Handbook for general program details.

How to Check Your EBT Deposit Status

Once the first of the month rolls around, you can confirm your deposit has been made in a few different ways. For a complete rundown of all your options, check out our guide to checking your EBT balance. The three most convenient methods are:

Online Portal: Log into the ebtEDGE cardholder portal. After creating an account with your card details, you can see your current SNAP and cash balances on the summary screen and look through your transaction history.
Benny App: The Benny app shows your real-time food and cash balance and gives you cash back on groceries at participating stores. Just download the app, link your EBT card, and tap the balance icon.
Customer Service Line: Call the toll-free EBT customer service line at 1-800-630-4655. The automated system is available 24/7. Just follow the prompts and enter your card number and PIN to hear your balance.

Check Your SNAP & EBT Cash Balance In Real Time

Download the app

Why Your EBT Deposit Might Be Late and What to Do

In North Dakota, both SNAP and TANF benefits are distributed through the same EBT system. A delay in your deposit can happen for several program, operational, or case-specific reasons.

High Caseloads and Staffing Issues

Following the pandemic, high caseloads combined with staff shortages have slowed down the processing of applications and recertifications. This backlog can lead to late case approvals, causing benefits to be loaded after the regularly scheduled date.

State Corrective Action Plans

The USDA sometimes requires North Dakota to implement corrective action plans for its SNAP performance. During these review periods or data clean-ups, some benefit issuances may be temporarily paused until any identified errors are resolved.

System Maintenance or Outages

The state's EBT or eligibility systems can experience technical difficulties. Scheduled maintenance, hardware failures, or network outages can stop benefit files from being sent to the card processor, pushing deposits back by hours or even days.

Severe Weather or Emergencies

Major events like the December 2023 ice storm can force office closures and divert staff to handle disaster-related tasks. This can delay the processing of routine monthly benefit files while workers focus on emergency issuances.

Administrative or Eligibility Snags

An issue with your specific case is a common reason for a hold. This can include a pending six-month review, an incomplete annual renewal, or missing proof of income or identity. Unreported changes to your household or address can also trigger a manual review.

Data mismatches, suspected fraud, or sanctions for not meeting work requirements can also flag your case. The system will not send your benefit file until a caseworker clears the issue.

Do EBT Benefits Expire or Roll Over?

In North Dakota, unused EBT funds automatically roll over each month, so you don't lose them if you don't spend them right away. The rules for how long the balance remains available depend on whether they are SNAP or TANF benefits.

Food Assistance (SNAP)

Unused food benefits carry forward and stay in your account even after your case closes. However, the balance will be permanently removed if your account has no activity for 274 consecutive days or if all household members are reported deceased. The state provides a 30-day warning notice before expunging funds for inactivity, as detailed in its program publications.

Cash Assistance (TANF)

TANF cash assistance also remains on your card if unspent, and closing your case does not affect your balance. Current policy does not specify an inactivity deadline for these funds, so they are available until you use them or the state takes other action.

How to Make Your EBT Benefits Last the Whole Month

Making your monthly benefits stretch requires a bit of planning, especially with North Dakota's long drives and harsh winters. A few intentional spending habits can help you keep your pantry full and avoid running short before your next deposit.

Track Your Real-Time Balance

Knowing your exact balance before you shop prevents overspending. The Benny app, available on Google Play and the App Store, shows your SNAP and cash funds in real time so you never have to guess at the checkout line.

Earn Cashback on Purchases

The Benny app also provides EBT-eligible cashback when you shop at large chains like Walmart, Costco, and Trader Joe's. These rebates are automatically added back to your card, giving you a little extra for your next shopping trip without filling out any forms.

Plan Around Weekly Sales Flyers

Build your shopping list after checking the new weekly ads, which most North Dakota chains post online by Wednesday night. Stores like Hornbacher’s highlight SNAP-eligible deals in their weekly specials.

Focusing your list on items that hit their four-to-six-week sale cycle helps you buy them at their lowest price. Clipping digital coupons in advance also means the discount comes off automatically.

Use Curbside Pickup

Using curbside pickup is a great way to stick to your shopping list and avoid impulse buys inside the store. Since you can use your SNAP EBT card for online orders and pickup in cities like Bismarck and Fargo, you can control your cart precisely.

You can also save on gas by scheduling pickups to align with other errands.

Double Your Produce Budget

You can stretch your food budget with the Double Up Dakota Bucks program. When you use your EBT card at participating farmers markets, you get a matching amount in "Dakota Bucks" to spend on fresh produce.

BisMarket in Bismarck
Red River Market in Fargo
Spirit Lake Mobile Market

This lets you buy more fruits and vegetables without dipping into your regular grocery funds.

Check Your EBT Balance & Get Cashback On SNAP

Download the app

What to Do if Your EBT Balance Runs Out Early

Seeing your EBT balance dwindle before the end of the month can be a stressful experience. It’s a challenging situation, but you have options to bridge the gap until your next deposit. Below are a few strategies you can use if you find yourself running short.

Apply for Emergency (Expedited) SNAP

If you need benefits within a week, you may qualify for expedited SNAP. Households with under $150 in gross monthly income, or whose income is less than their rent and utility costs, are entitled to same-day screening. You will need a photo ID, but other verifications can be postponed.

To apply, call the statewide Customer Support Center at 1-866-614-6005 or your local Human Service Zone office and state that you are requesting “expedited SNAP.”

You can also file a new application through the online portal. If you use this method, call staff afterward to let them know you believe you qualify for faster processing.

If you interview the same day, benefits must be on your card by the third calendar day. Otherwise, an interview must be set within two days, with benefits available by the seventh day. Ask for a written receipt showing the date your benefits will post.

If you are denied, you can request an on-the-spot supervisor review. The state allows for unlimited expedited certifications when circumstances warrant it.

Ask for a Benefit-Level Review

Certain life changes can move you into a higher SNAP allotment bracket. You should report any of the following as soon as they happen:

A drop in work hours or a job loss
New medical expenses over $35 per month
Higher rent or utility bills
The birth or placement of a child

Report these changes using the online portal or by emailing applyforhelp@nd.gov with “Change Report” in the subject line. Be sure to attach proof, such as pay stubs, leases, or utility shut-off notices.

After submitting your report, follow up with the Customer Support Center to confirm they received it. You can request a “supplemental issuance” so the increase appears before your next scheduled deposit. Contact information for your local zone office is available online.

Stretch the Gap With Statewide, No-Cost Protein and Produce Sources

The Great Plains Food Bank provides a partner-agency map that is updated in real time to help you find the next distribution in your area.

You can also check the Mobile Food Pantry schedule to find a drive-through distribution anywhere in the state.

When you call a pantry, ask if they receive venison or other wild-game donations through North Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger. One deer can provide more than 160 servings of protein, which is often frozen and pre-ground. For additional sites, dial 2-1-1 and ask for “food pantry listings with game-meat availability.”

Track Your EBT Balance and Earn Cashback with Benny

Benny is a free app that helps you track your EBT balance in real time and get cash back on eligible purchases at stores like Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Costco.

To get started, link your EBT card to the app. After you make a purchase, scan your receipt with Benny to receive cashback on SNAP-eligible items directly on your EBT card.

Download Benny to take control of your spending and get more from your EBT benefits.

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Knowing when your SNAP benefits will arrive helps you budget for groceries and plan your shopping trips. It provides peace of mind and helps you manage your monthly food expenses without guesswork.

This guide will walk you through the payment schedule and explain what to do if your benefits don't show up on time.

Monthly EBT Deposit Schedule in North Dakota

North Dakota simplifies its EBT deposit schedule by issuing benefits on a single day. Instead of staggering payments based on case numbers or other factors, all SNAP benefits are available on the 1st of every month.

This date is fixed, meaning your funds will arrive on the first even if it is a weekend or holiday. The state's EBT handbook confirms that cash assistance programs like TANF also follow this same monthly schedule.

How to Find Your Case Number

While your case number does not determine your payment date, you may need it for other inquiries. If you need information about your case or written confirmation of your benefits, you have a few options.

Call the EBT customer service line at 1-800-630-4655 for automated information.
Contact your local Human Service Zone office. You can locate the nearest office through the state's website.
Review the EBT Client Handbook for general program details.

How to Check Your EBT Deposit Status

Once the first of the month rolls around, you can confirm your deposit has been made in a few different ways. For a complete rundown of all your options, check out our guide to checking your EBT balance. The three most convenient methods are:

Online Portal: Log into the ebtEDGE cardholder portal. After creating an account with your card details, you can see your current SNAP and cash balances on the summary screen and look through your transaction history.
Benny App: The Benny app shows your real-time food and cash balance and gives you cash back on groceries at participating stores. Just download the app, link your EBT card, and tap the balance icon.
Customer Service Line: Call the toll-free EBT customer service line at 1-800-630-4655. The automated system is available 24/7. Just follow the prompts and enter your card number and PIN to hear your balance.

Check Your SNAP & EBT Cash Balance In Real Time

Download the app

Why Your EBT Deposit Might Be Late and What to Do

In North Dakota, both SNAP and TANF benefits are distributed through the same EBT system. A delay in your deposit can happen for several program, operational, or case-specific reasons.

High Caseloads and Staffing Issues

Following the pandemic, high caseloads combined with staff shortages have slowed down the processing of applications and recertifications. This backlog can lead to late case approvals, causing benefits to be loaded after the regularly scheduled date.

State Corrective Action Plans

The USDA sometimes requires North Dakota to implement corrective action plans for its SNAP performance. During these review periods or data clean-ups, some benefit issuances may be temporarily paused until any identified errors are resolved.

System Maintenance or Outages

The state's EBT or eligibility systems can experience technical difficulties. Scheduled maintenance, hardware failures, or network outages can stop benefit files from being sent to the card processor, pushing deposits back by hours or even days.

Severe Weather or Emergencies

Major events like the December 2023 ice storm can force office closures and divert staff to handle disaster-related tasks. This can delay the processing of routine monthly benefit files while workers focus on emergency issuances.

Administrative or Eligibility Snags

An issue with your specific case is a common reason for a hold. This can include a pending six-month review, an incomplete annual renewal, or missing proof of income or identity. Unreported changes to your household or address can also trigger a manual review.

Data mismatches, suspected fraud, or sanctions for not meeting work requirements can also flag your case. The system will not send your benefit file until a caseworker clears the issue.

Do EBT Benefits Expire or Roll Over?

In North Dakota, unused EBT funds automatically roll over each month, so you don't lose them if you don't spend them right away. The rules for how long the balance remains available depend on whether they are SNAP or TANF benefits.

Food Assistance (SNAP)

Unused food benefits carry forward and stay in your account even after your case closes. However, the balance will be permanently removed if your account has no activity for 274 consecutive days or if all household members are reported deceased. The state provides a 30-day warning notice before expunging funds for inactivity, as detailed in its program publications.

Cash Assistance (TANF)

TANF cash assistance also remains on your card if unspent, and closing your case does not affect your balance. Current policy does not specify an inactivity deadline for these funds, so they are available until you use them or the state takes other action.

How to Make Your EBT Benefits Last the Whole Month

Making your monthly benefits stretch requires a bit of planning, especially with North Dakota's long drives and harsh winters. A few intentional spending habits can help you keep your pantry full and avoid running short before your next deposit.

Track Your Real-Time Balance

Knowing your exact balance before you shop prevents overspending. The Benny app, available on Google Play and the App Store, shows your SNAP and cash funds in real time so you never have to guess at the checkout line.

Earn Cashback on Purchases

The Benny app also provides EBT-eligible cashback when you shop at large chains like Walmart, Costco, and Trader Joe's. These rebates are automatically added back to your card, giving you a little extra for your next shopping trip without filling out any forms.

Plan Around Weekly Sales Flyers

Build your shopping list after checking the new weekly ads, which most North Dakota chains post online by Wednesday night. Stores like Hornbacher’s highlight SNAP-eligible deals in their weekly specials.

Focusing your list on items that hit their four-to-six-week sale cycle helps you buy them at their lowest price. Clipping digital coupons in advance also means the discount comes off automatically.

Use Curbside Pickup

Using curbside pickup is a great way to stick to your shopping list and avoid impulse buys inside the store. Since you can use your SNAP EBT card for online orders and pickup in cities like Bismarck and Fargo, you can control your cart precisely.

You can also save on gas by scheduling pickups to align with other errands.

Double Your Produce Budget

You can stretch your food budget with the Double Up Dakota Bucks program. When you use your EBT card at participating farmers markets, you get a matching amount in "Dakota Bucks" to spend on fresh produce.

BisMarket in Bismarck
Red River Market in Fargo
Spirit Lake Mobile Market

This lets you buy more fruits and vegetables without dipping into your regular grocery funds.

Check Your EBT Balance & Get Cashback On SNAP

Download the app

What to Do if Your EBT Balance Runs Out Early

Seeing your EBT balance dwindle before the end of the month can be a stressful experience. It’s a challenging situation, but you have options to bridge the gap until your next deposit. Below are a few strategies you can use if you find yourself running short.

Apply for Emergency (Expedited) SNAP

If you need benefits within a week, you may qualify for expedited SNAP. Households with under $150 in gross monthly income, or whose income is less than their rent and utility costs, are entitled to same-day screening. You will need a photo ID, but other verifications can be postponed.

To apply, call the statewide Customer Support Center at 1-866-614-6005 or your local Human Service Zone office and state that you are requesting “expedited SNAP.”

You can also file a new application through the online portal. If you use this method, call staff afterward to let them know you believe you qualify for faster processing.

If you interview the same day, benefits must be on your card by the third calendar day. Otherwise, an interview must be set within two days, with benefits available by the seventh day. Ask for a written receipt showing the date your benefits will post.

If you are denied, you can request an on-the-spot supervisor review. The state allows for unlimited expedited certifications when circumstances warrant it.

Ask for a Benefit-Level Review

Certain life changes can move you into a higher SNAP allotment bracket. You should report any of the following as soon as they happen:

A drop in work hours or a job loss
New medical expenses over $35 per month
Higher rent or utility bills
The birth or placement of a child

Report these changes using the online portal or by emailing applyforhelp@nd.gov with “Change Report” in the subject line. Be sure to attach proof, such as pay stubs, leases, or utility shut-off notices.

After submitting your report, follow up with the Customer Support Center to confirm they received it. You can request a “supplemental issuance” so the increase appears before your next scheduled deposit. Contact information for your local zone office is available online.

Stretch the Gap With Statewide, No-Cost Protein and Produce Sources

The Great Plains Food Bank provides a partner-agency map that is updated in real time to help you find the next distribution in your area.

You can also check the Mobile Food Pantry schedule to find a drive-through distribution anywhere in the state.

When you call a pantry, ask if they receive venison or other wild-game donations through North Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger. One deer can provide more than 160 servings of protein, which is often frozen and pre-ground. For additional sites, dial 2-1-1 and ask for “food pantry listings with game-meat availability.”

Track Your EBT Balance and Earn Cashback with Benny

Benny is a free app that helps you track your EBT balance in real time and get cash back on eligible purchases at stores like Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Costco.

To get started, link your EBT card to the app. After you make a purchase, scan your receipt with Benny to receive cashback on SNAP-eligible items directly on your EBT card.

Download Benny to take control of your spending and get more from your EBT benefits.