Maryland residents who are part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will begin to see their benefits for the month of July beginning in just eight days.

SNAP benefits, which are also called food stamps, are distributed from the fourth through the 23rd of every month, with those with last names beginning with the letter "Aaa" through "Bao" receiving their benefits on the 4th of July.

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In Maryland, the average benefit payment per household member is $180, with about 13% of the state's population receiving assistance paying for food via SNAP. The number of recipients of SNAP in Maryland is approximately 772,700.

Recipients can use SNAP benefits "for food and for plants and seeds to grow food for your household to eat," per the state. Benefits are given on an electronic benefit transfer card, called the Independence Card, allowing beneficiaries to purchase eligible items at stores.

Benefits can not be used for non-food items, alcohol, medicines, tobacco, or "hot foods that are ready to eat."

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The maximum annual income permitted to be eligible for SNAP in Maryland depends on household size. For a household of one, the maximum annual income is $18,954, and the maximum annual income for a household of five is $45,682.

SNAP benefits can be used for groceries but cannot be used for owed food bills or items that someone cannot eat or drink, among other things, per the state.