Understanding EBT Card Expiration: What You Need to Know About Your Benefits

Your SNAP EBT card expiration rules aren’t universal across the country—they vary significantly depending on which state you live in. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), individual states have the authority to decide whether to set expiration dates on SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer cards. This means your specific state’s policies will determine whether your card actually expires and how that process works.

The Nine-Month Rule: Your Critical Timeline

Here’s the most important detail about SNAP benefits: if your EBT card sits completely unused for nine consecutive months, any remaining benefits on it will be permanently forfeited. This nine-month inactivity window is the USDA’s standard threshold for benefit elimination. However—and this is crucial—if you use your card even once during this period, the clock essentially resets.

How Your Benefits Actually Roll Over

SNAP benefits don’t disappear at the end of each month like some people assume. Any unused funds from your monthly benefit allotment automatically carry forward to the next month, regardless of whether you’re actively receiving new benefits or not. This rollover happens automatically, which means you have flexibility in how you use your benefits across multiple months. As long as you make at least one transaction within that nine-month window, you won’t lose the accumulated balance.

What Happens If You Don’t Use Your Card Regularly

If your household uses benefits but carries over an unused balance month after month, those funds won’t disappear after nine months. The nine-month clock only triggers permanent loss if there’s zero activity. Once inactivity hits that nine-month mark, states must notify households at least 30 days before removing any remaining benefits.

Finding Your State’s Specific Rules

Since SNAP regulations vary by state, your first step should be contacting your state’s EBT Customer Service line. You can typically find this number printed on the back of your EBT card or through your state’s SNAP program website. The representative can confirm whether your card has an official expiration date and clarify your state’s specific policies regarding benefit rollovers and the nine-month inactivity rule.

The bottom line: while the USDA sets federal guidelines for SNAP, your state ultimately determines how these rules apply to your account. Check locally for the most accurate information about your EBT card’s expiration status.