The article describes events in Idaho, which is one of only 7 states (Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, New Hampshire, North & South Dakota, and Vermont) that distributes food stamps on the 1st of the month.

In the other 43 states, different people will have different issuance dates depending on last name/SSN/case number.

On the one hand, using the same day for eyeryone gives stores the opportunity to make sure they are fully-stocked before the "surge"; on the other, and from personal experience, having the days spread out usually means you don't have to choose between lining up at midnight, or waiting a few days for the shelves to be restocked.