The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is a specialized initiative within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that enables eligible recipients to purchase prepared meals at participating restaurants using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. This program is designed to assist individuals who may face challenges in preparing their own meals due to various circumstances. Let’s delve deeper into the specifics of the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program.
How to Locate Restaurants Accepting EBT
Finding restaurants that participate in the Restaurant Meals Program can be achieved through several avenues. State websites often feature interactive restaurant locator maps or comprehensive lists of participating establishments.
Restaurants that accept EBT payments typically display signage indicating their participation in the program. These signs are commonly found in storefront windows, on doors, or near cash registers.
The signage will often include phrases such as: “Participating Restaurant: SNAP Restaurant Meals Program,” and may also feature a fork and knife symbol. Participating restaurants are also required to provide discounted meal options for SNAP participants.
Contacting your local SNAP office is another way to obtain a list of participating restaurants in your area.
Fork and knife symbol often displayed at restaurants participating in the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program
Where is EBT Accepted at Restaurants?
The Restaurant Meals Program is not universally adopted across all states. As of now, only a limited number of states have chosen to implement the RMP. The states currently participating are:
- Arizona
- California
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New York
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
A Glimpse into Restaurants Accepting EBT
Below is a selection of restaurants across the nation that participate in the RMP program, indicating their acceptance of EBT:
Arizona
- Chandler: Burger King, El Pollo Loco, Firehouse Subs, Jack in the Box, Jimmy & Joe’s, Pizzeria Serious, Slices, McDonald’s, Subway
- Flagstaff: Burger King, Butler Subway Cafe, Chix N Mex, Subway
- Mesa: Burger King, Carl’s Jr, El Pollo Loco, Jack in the Box, Subway
- Phoenix: Burger King, Carl’s Jr, Dairy Queen, El Pollo Loco, Jack n’ the Box, McDonald’s, Subway
- Tucson: Burger King, Carl’s Jr, Chickenuevo, Church’s Texas Chicken, Dairy Queen, Denny’s, Del Taco, McDonald’s, Papa Johns Pizza, Subway, Wendy’s
California
- San Francisco: Carl’s Jr, Chico’s Pizza, UCSF Subway Parnassus, UCSF Subway, Mission Bay
- Los Angeles: Subway, Jack in the Box, Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken and Fish Market, Domino’s Pizza, Denny’s Restaurant, Wok on the Wild Side, Wendy’s, El Pollo Loco, Del Taco, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut
- Riverside: McDonald’s, Subway, Yoshinoya Beef Bowl #2152, Del Taco, Denny’s #7156
- San Diego: Pizza Hut, Burger King, Denny’s, Jack in the Box, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Wendy’s
Illinois
- Chicago: BJ’s Market & Bakery, Caribbean Jerk’s Palace III, Doughboy’s Chicago, Firehouse Bakery & Grill, JJ Fish and Chicken, Ocean Wave Soul & Seafood, S2 Express Grill
- Franklin County: Bonnie’s Care, Joe’s Pizza
Maryland
- Anne Arundel County: KFC
- Baltimore: Burger King
- Calvert County: 2 Soul Sisters Restaurant, KFC
- Carroll County: Burger King
- Charles County: KFC
- Frederick County: KFC
- Hartford County: CR Wings
- Montgomery County: Burger King
- Prince George’s County: KFC
Massachusetts
- Boston: Fresh Food Generation, Merengue Express, Vejigantes Restaurant, Stokes BBQ, La Parada Dominican Kitchen, Merengue Restaurant
- Worcester: New Wine Pizza, Sabrosa Venezuela
Michigan
- Detroit: A Eagles Coney Island, Embassy Coney Island, ERR’Thang Smoked, Heavenly Chicken and Waffles, Market Fresh Deli, Sheeba Express, Subway, The Congregation Detroit, YumVillage
- Dearborn: Toarmina’s Pizza, Bionde’s Subs, Westpoint Bar-B-Que, Del Taco
- Grand Rapids: Burton Village BBQ Company, Popeye’s, Wing Heaven Moo Gobble Burger
- Lansing: Crack Chicken, Eastside Fish Fry, Just Munchies, Siraj Cuisine
New York
- Bronx: Leche Y Miel Restaurant, Pa’ Comer, Lins Home Chinese, Kaieteur Restaurant
- Brooklyn: Jam It Bistro, Brain Food Deli & Smart Kitchen, Roseli Chinese Restaurant, Memphis Seoul, IHOP, Ocean Eats, Lady Chow Kitchen
- Manhattan: Justino’s Pizzeria, Ray’s Pizza, BarIL, SoleSapoara Restaurant, The Chubby Crab
- Queens: Blaze 718
- Rochester: Lakeside Haven Family Restaurant, Pomodoro Pizza, Wings & Pasta, Gregorio’s Pizza, Nin’s Restaurant
Rhode Island
- Cranston, Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Westerly: Subway restaurants
Virginia
- Ararat: Red Rooster Cafe
- Newport News, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth: Subway restaurants
- Lynchburg: Asian Fusion, Bistro Bros Q Deli
- Richmond: Kokonut Grill
- Statewide: KFC, Taco Bell (participating locations)
Note: Participation can vary, so always confirm with the restaurant.
Can You Use EBT for Fast Food? A Closer Look
In the states that offer the RMP, eligible individuals are able to use their EBT cards at participating fast food restaurants to purchase meals.
While several fast food chains participate in the RMP, the extent of their involvement can differ from state to state. Here’s a more detailed examination of popular fast food restaurants and their participation in the EBT program:
- McDonald’s: Select McDonald’s locations participate. The degree of participation is state-dependent.
- Subway: Subway is a participant in the RMP. However, EBT acceptance may vary among individual restaurants.
- Jack in the Box: Select Jack in the Box restaurants participate in the RMP. Consult your local RMP directory for participating locations.
- KFC: Certain KFC restaurants in specific states accept EBT.
- Wendy’s: Wendy’s has limited participation in the RMP, primarily in California.
- Taco Bell: Limited Taco Bell locations participate in the RMP.
- Popeyes: Limited Popeyes locations participate in the RMP.
What Can You Purchase at Restaurants with EBT?
EBT cardholders can generally order any food item on the menu at participating restaurants.
According to Andrew Cheyne, managing director of public policy for the California-based non-profit GRACE/End Child Poverty CA, customers can purchase “any meal offered at that restaurant,” and are not restricted to discounted meals if they prefer other options.
It is important to note that the RMP enables the purchase of hot meals specifically at approved restaurants, and not for hot food items from any store that accepts EBT. The program is exclusively for restaurant purchases.
How to Use Your EBT Card at Restaurants
Paying for meals at participating restaurants with an EBT card is a simple process for individuals eligible for the RMP. EBT cards can be used as a payment method in the same way as debit or credit cards.
Julianna Lai, Propel policy specialist, explains that “If you are eligible for the RMP, your EBT card will be specifically coded by the state to be accepted at participating restaurants.”
To make a payment, you present your EBT card to the restaurant, and it will be processed using a point-of-sale device that has been programmed to accept this payment method. You will need to enter your PIN and have sufficient funds in your EBT account to cover the purchase.
EBT cards belonging to SNAP beneficiaries who are not eligible for the RMP will be declined by the restaurant.
Safeguarding Your EBT PIN
It’s crucial to protect your EBT PIN and avoid sharing it with anyone, including restaurant employees. Your benefits can be stolen if someone gains access to your EBT card number and PIN.
RMP Eligibility: Who Qualifies?
The Restaurant Meals Program is designed as a supplementary option within SNAP, providing eligible individuals with an alternative way to utilize their benefits.
Lai notes that “The RMP is an additional option that some states offer as part of SNAP.”
This program “gives SNAP recipients that are at a high risk for chronic hunger the option to use their benefits to buy prepared meals at approved participating restaurant vendors. This is really helpful for folks who might have trouble cooking for themselves, like older adults (60 and up), people with disabilities, and unhoused individuals.”
Eligible individuals for the Restaurant Meals Program typically include:
- Seniors (60 years of age or older)
- People with disabilities
- Unhoused individuals
- Spouses of SNAP recipients in one of the above groups
Cheyne emphasizes that the Restaurant Meals Program provides critical nutrition access for vulnerable populations and supports eligible households that may struggle to utilize their SNAP benefits otherwise.
The RMP serves as a lifeline for individuals facing poverty-related hunger by allowing them to utilize their federally entitled food benefits, particularly in situations where purchasing groceries or having a home is challenging.
The Restaurant Meals Program can also be beneficial for SNAP beneficiaries who reside in areas with limited access to traditional grocery stores, providing them with an additional avenue to access food.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it possible to buy hot food with EBT?
Generally, hot foods are not eligible for purchase with EBT. Cheyne clarifies that “Hot foods are [things like] rotisserie chicken, ready to eat soups, but also cold foods like salad bars that are ready to eat. Normally, SNAP customers cannot purchase hot foods, unless there is an approved waiver following a disaster when it is assumed that you cannot cook groceries at home.”
2. Can EBT be used on DoorDash?
While EBT cards can be used for purchases at specific stores via DoorDash, they cannot be used for hot meals.
According to Irene Lewis, senior policy and research analyst for the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), “While individuals can use their SNAP benefits on DoorDash at grocery stores that accept EBT, SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase meals from restaurants on DoorDash.”
SNAP/EBT benefits can cover the cost of purchases made through DoorDash at some 7-Eleven locations, as well as at a variety of grocery stores, including Costco, ALDI, FoodLion, Hannaford, Safeway, Sam’s Club, Stater Brothers, Star Market, Vons and Target.
In Conclusion
The SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) offers a crucial pathway to accessing nutritious meals for individuals with limited options for utilizing their SNAP benefits. Through this program, EBT cards can be used to pay for hot meals at participating restaurants, providing essential support for vulnerable populations.
