Are you enrolled in the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program for financial assistance? Did you know that you can use your EBT card to dine at restaurants and fast foods?
This is for you! We’ll help you know which food places accept EBT card food stamps.
We’ve scoured the web for the best leads and verified the information we’ve gathered to come up with this guide.
Because we know what it’s like to think about ways to stretch a limited budget and get the most of the assistance we get, we provide you with the essential tips on where you can use your EBT card.
You don’t have to deprive yourself of some good food, thinking that popular or expensive restaurants or food places don’t accept EBT cards.
Let’s dive in!
What Is EBT And How Does It Work?
In the past, people who were enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) used to receive physical certificates or food stamps through mail.
Today, SNAP recipients get their food stamp benefit payments every month through their EBT cards.
An EBT card works like a regular debit card and is used in all 50 US states, including Guam, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. It can be used to buy food as long as there’s enough money in the account to cover the purchase.
Which Restaurants Accept EBT?
If you live in an area with restaurants that participate in the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), (which we’ll discuss further in the sections below), you need to meet the program requirements to be eligible.
That is, your household must be unable to prepare your own meals because all of you are homeless, disabled, or elderly.
You can use this button to find one near you.
Listed below are fast foods and restaurants that accept EBT cards.
McDonald’s
So, I checked KFC and found that it’s one of the food places that take ebt food stamps near meIn most states, McDonald’s doesn’t accept EBT cards. But if you’re in Arizona and California, you can use your EBT card at McDonald’s, because both states are registered with the Restaurant Meals Program.states are registered with the Restaurant Meals Program.
Subway
Subway accepts EBT cards in limited locations only:
- California
- Arizona
- Rhode Island
If you don’t live in any of these states, you may still be able to purchase cold food items in some Subway locations in your area using your EBT card.
Additionally, you can only use your EBT card for in-store purchases in participating outlets in the specified states. You need to use a different mode of payment, either cash, debit, or credit card, if you prefer to order online or through the Subway app.
KFC
If you’re in Arizona, you can use your EBT card to buy food from KFC. To qualify, all of your household members must meet at least one of the following requirements:
- At least 60 years old
- Homeless
- Disabled
KFC outlets in Alachua County in Florida also accept EBT cards.
Burger King
Burger King locations in California accept EBT cards. Although the fast-food chain offers the RMP in different parts of the state, each county has its own rules and requirements that need to be followed and met to be eligible.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell accepts EBT cards in its outlets located in:
| Arizona | Michigan |
| California | Rhode Island |
| Maryland | Virginia |
You’re eligible to purchase if your household is unable to prepare meals or store food because of homelessness, disability, or because all members are elderly.
Domino’s Pizza
Some Domino’s Pizza locations within the state of California and Arizona participate in the RMP.
You can only use your EBT card to make in-store purchases. It doesn’t apply to the app or online-based orders and deliveries.
Pizza Hut
You can use your EBT card to buy food at Pizza Hut outlets at certain locations through the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program in California.
The participating counties are as follows:
| Los Angeles | San Francisco |
| Alameda | San Diego |
| Riverside | San Luis Obispo |
| Orange | Santa Cruz |
| Sacramento | Santa Clara |
Papa Murphy’s
Papa Murphy’s in all states accepts EBT cards. Unlike other options, you’d have to bring the pizza you purchase to your home to cook it.
Starbucks
As for Starbucks, company-operated stores or main stores don’t accept EBT cards. However, those that are located inside grocery stores may accept EBT. Just like Papa Murphy’s, this option may be available in all states.
Which Restaurants Don’t Accept EBT?
Does Chick-fil-A or Wingstop accept EBT? Unfortunately, no. Some popular food places don’t accept EBT cards in any of their locations.
Here’s the list of some restaurants that don’t accept EBT cards:
| Chick-fil-A | Panda Express |
| Dunkin’ Donuts | Shake Shack |
| Five Guys | Wingstop |
| In-N-Out Burger |
How To Find Fast Food Restaurants That Participate In EBT Near You
By now you already know that you can buy groceries from supermarkets in your local area using your EBT card. If you’re eligible, you may even buy hot food using your EBT benefits if you live in certain areas.
The easiest method of locating participating restaurants is to call the food place or restaurant and ask if they accept EBT cards.
You can also visit the outlet and find a sign that says they’re participating in the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program. You can use the SNAP Retailer Locator to find eligible SNAP retailers near you.
What Is SNAP And How Does It Work?
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a food assistance program that provides non-taxable benefits to qualified households to help them buy groceries.
The monthly monetary assistance is loaded onto a prepaid Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which you can use to buy food in participating grocery stores and other establishments.
Your eligibility for this program needs to be renewed on a periodic basis. You’ll be notified near the end of each certification period if you need to start the recertification process.
You can also use your SNAP benefits in all 50 states. EBT benefits are considered interoperable between states as per 7 C.F.R. § 274.8(b)(10).
Who Qualifies For The SNAP Program?
Your eligibility depends on various factors, such as your household income and how many people you have in your household.
You’ll go through a rigorous approval process when you apply for the SNAP.
The income requirements are as follows:
- Gross monthly income must be at or below 130% of the poverty line.
- Net income must be at or below the poverty line.
- Assets ($2,500 or less for households without an elderly or disabled member; $3,500 for households with such a member)
Aside from the income eligibility requirements, household members between the ages of 18 and 59 years old should meet certain work-related requirements.
The work-related requirements are as follows:
- They must register for work.
- They shouldn’t voluntarily reduce their work hours or quit their job.
- They must participate in the state assigned job training or employment program.
- They must take a job when offered.
You can find an in-depth discussion of the requirements for SNAP benefits at Benefits.com.
How Do You Use Your EBT Card?
Once you get approved for SNAP benefits, you’ll receive an EBT card where you’ll receive monthly payments.
It works like a debit card at any participating establishments, such as grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations.
Major retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Walgreens may accept EBT payments.
The program supports most types of food, such as meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, bread, pasta, spices, desserts, and more.
You can also use your EBT card to purchase food at restaurants. So, if I want to find a fast food that takes EBT near me, I must be eligible and the restaurant has been allowed to participate in the RMP.
What Is The Restaurant Meals Program?
Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) allows eligible SNAP clients to purchase prepared meals at restaurants using their SNAP benefits.
This state option is made for SNAP clients who can’t prepare meals for themselves or those who don’t have a permanent home where they can prepare and store their food.
The states that run a Restaurant Meals Program are as follows:
| Arizona | Michigan |
| California | Rhode Island |
| Maryland | Virginia |
Illinois and New York have passed laws that are asking their social service agencies to apply for the RMP.
Although EBT cards are interoperable in all states, RMP benefits are not. Simply put, you can only use your EBT cards in participating restaurants within the state you live in.
Are You Qualified For The Restaurant Meals Program?
There are certain requirements you need to meet before you can use your SNAP Benefits at restaurants.
- You must be certified for SNAP in a state that offers RMP.
- Your household members must be at least 60 years old.
- Your household members receive disability payments from a government agency.
- The spouse of a SNAP client who qualifies for RMP.
What Are The Requirements Restaurants Must Meet To Participate in the RMP?
The state can choose which and how many restaurants can join the RMP. Restaurants must meet the following requirements:
The following requirements the restaurants must meet are as follows:
- It must be located in a state that has a Restaurant MealsProgram.
- It must secure the state’s approval and provide a signed authorization to the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
- The FNS must authorize the restaurant to accept SNAP benefits as a form of payment.
- The restaurant isn’t responsible for determining if the SNAP client is eligible for RMP. The state codes the EBT cards of all SNAP clients who are eligible for RMP in participating restaurants. Their EBT card will automatically be declined if they’re not eligible.
In Summary
The US government has created programs to help people who are in need. Eligible low-income households may receive financial assistance from the government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. You’ll receive your money through your EBT card, which you can use just like a debit card.
You can use your EBT card to pay for food in participating establishments, such as grocery stores. As a SNAP beneficiary, you may also be eligible to buy hot food in participating food places and restaurants in certain states.
If all members of your household are at least 60 years old, homeless, elderly, or disabled, you may be eligible to use your EBT benefits at participating restaurants. Unfortunately, only a few states have the RMP. Be sure to check with the restaurant first if they’re a participating outlet.
Aidan has been writing about personal finance for over 6 years. Prior to this, he worked as a Corporate Finance Analyst where he specialized in Due Diligence, Company Valuations and more. He is a CFA charterholder.
