Why Your EBT Deposit Might Be Late and What to Do

Several factors can cause a delay in your EBT benefits. Understanding these common issues can help you identify the potential source of a late deposit.

Administrative or Eligibility Snags

Your case can be frozen if required paperwork is missing or late. This includes recertification reports, verification of income, or unsigned forms. Failing to complete a required interview or report household changes can also pause your benefits until the Office for Family Independence (OFI) completes its review.

Work or Program Requirement Sanctions

Benefits can be suspended if an adult on SNAP quits a job, refuses suitable work, or fails to meet employment requirements. A similar hold may apply to TANF recipients who do not comply with ASPIRE participation or child support cooperation rules.

System or Technology Problems

Widespread outages of the EBT processing network can stop new funds from loading onto your card. These technical failures must be fixed by the vendor before regular service and deposits can resume for affected households.

Staffing or Processing Backlogs

Chronic understaffing at the Office for Family Independence means fewer specialists are available to handle cases. These heavy workloads can slow down the entry of benefit authorizations and push back the date your funds are issued.

Disaster-Related Benefit Adjustments

Following emergencies like severe storms, the state may issue replacement benefits. Your regular monthly deposit could be postponed until these special, one-time payments are processed and distributed to all eligible households in the disaster area.

Do EBT Benefits Expire or Roll Over?

Unused EBT funds in Maine automatically carry over to the next month. This applies to both Food Supplement benefits and cash assistance. Your balance remains available as long as you keep the account active.

To prevent your benefits from expiring, you must use your card at least once every nine months. Any transaction, including a purchase, cash withdrawal, or even a simple balance check, will reset this nine-month period.

If an account has no activity for nine consecutive months, the state will permanently remove the entire remaining balance. These expunged funds cannot be returned or reissued to your card.

How to Make Your EBT Benefits Last the Whole Month

Making your EBT benefits stretch the entire month requires careful planning. With intentional spending habits, you can avoid running short before your next deposit arrives.

Track Your Balance in Real Time

Knowing your exact EBT balance helps you plan. You can download the Benny app to see your funds in real time, which makes it easier to set a weekly spending cap and stick to it throughout the month.

Get Cashback on Groceries

The Benny app also provides a small financial cushion by adding EBT-eligible cashback to your account. This happens automatically when you shop at high-traffic Maine stores like Walmart, Costco, and Trader Joe's. You can sign up for Benny with your phone or email.

Double Your Produce Dollars

The Maine Harvest Bucks program lets you stretch your produce budget. For every EBT dollar you spend at participating locations, you get bonus “Bucks” for Maine-grown fruits and vegetables. Consider buying in bulk during peak harvests and preserving the extras for leaner weeks.

Use Delivery to Curb Impulse Buys

If you shop at Walmart, the Walmart+ Assist discount for SNAP users can help. The reduced-price membership offers free grocery delivery on EBT orders. This saves on gas and helps you avoid impulse buys by sticking to a pre-planned online shopping cart.

Stock Up During Co-op Sales

Watch for seasonal clearance events like “Store-Up September” at Maine co-ops. You can find deep discounts on bulk staples and imperfect produce. Many co-ops also let you stack these savings with Maine Harvest Bucks, allowing you to stock your pantry for weeks.