Electronic Benefit Transfer, or EBT, is a system that allows recipients of government assistance to pay for goods using SNAP benefits, commonly known as food stamps.
While traditionally used at supermarkets and grocery stores, SNAP benefits are also accepted at a range of restaurants across the country as part of the Restaurant Meals Program.
This is an excellent way to save more money while accessing nutritious meals beyond the home pantry. Let's take a look at where you can dine out using your EBT card!
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Key Takeaways
- You can potentially use your EBT card at certain restaurants that participate in the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) in addition to traditional grocery outlets.
- Only certain groups qualify for the RMP program.
- Availability of EBT-friendly restaurants varies by state and even by chain.
- Utilize the SNAP Retailer Locator and customer service numbers to find eligible eateries near you.
Restaurants That Accept EBT Near You – Latest Data
The team at The Budget Diet researched and collected data on fast food, chain, and sit-down restaurants that accept EBT:
- Subway
- Papa Murphy's
- Jack in the Box
- Pizza Hut
- Burger King
- KFC
- Domino's Pizza
- Carl's Jr.
- Church's Chicken
- El Pollo Loco
- Sonic Drive-In
- McDonald's
- Denny's
- Taco Bell
- Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
- Wendy's
- Little Caesars
- Dickey's Barbecue Pit
- Del Taco
- Wingstop
- Golden Corral
- Jamba Juice
- Whole Foods Market
Data is accurate as of 2024-04-18.
Remember: participation in SNAP RMP generally varies based on location and individual restaurant policies. Always check with the specific restaurant or contact your local SNAP office for the most accurate and up-to-date information on participating locations in your area.
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Restaurants & EBT Overview – How To Get Started
Eligible SNAP recipients can use their benefits to buy prepared meals at participating restaurants. This option is available in certain states through programs like the Restaurant Meals Program. However, it’s important to understand how to actually use EBT and some of the potential benefits.
RMP Eligibility & State Availability
According to the Food and Nutrition Service, only certain groups are eligible for RMP. This includes the:
- Elderly (60 years and older)
- Homeless
- Disabled (must receive disability or blindness payments or disability retirement benefits)
- A spouse of a SNAP client who is eligible for RMP
Unfortunately, this means that many SNAP users can't use their benefits at restaurants and fast food chains.
Additionally, RMP is only available in these states currently: Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia.
Pro Tip: If you're worried about your cooking skills, you can always use your SNAP benefits to purchase healthy, frozen meals at grocery stores. Or, learn a few basic recipes and keep things simple in the kitchen.
How To Use EBT At Restaurants
Your Electronic Benefits Transfer card can be used at various fast-food chains, provided they participate in the RMP.
Not all states participate in this program, and among those that do, only certain populations—such as the elderly, disabled, and homeless—may be eligible. Here’s what you need to know:
- Eligibility: You must qualify for the RMP as per your state’s requirements.
- Location: It’s essential to confirm that the restaurant accepts EBT, as this can vary even within participating chains.
Also note that you should tell the cashier you’re paying with an EBT card just like you normally would at any other participating store. The cashier then swipes your card or provides a paper voucher for your meal.
If the value of the meal exceeds your SNAP balance, you have to pay for the excess cost with other funds. Additionally, you can’t use SNAP benefits to pay for non-food items, alcohol, or tips. Some restaurants may also limit how much you can spend at them per day depending on the chain and state.
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The Benefits Of The RMP Program
Utilizing SNAP benefits for prepared food through the RMP program offers two main advantages over just using your benefits at the grocery store:
- Accessibility: If you know the RMP-friendly restaurants in your area, you can widen your access to nutritious meals. Plus, dining out can be affordable and a nice way to socialize.
- Food Variety: The RMP helps expands food choices beyond raw ingredients, especially for those with limited cooking facilities.
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How To Easily Find Nearby Restaurants Accepting EBT
When searching for restaurants that accept SNAP EBT, you should use the SNAP Retailer Locator.
This tool allows you to input your address (or just a city and state or ZIP code) to display a list of SNAP-authorized retailers in your vicinity. As you can see in our screenshot above, it's a very simple map that displays a list of eligible retailers and restaurants in the right-hand column.
This is by far the easiest way to make sure you know which restaurants and establishments in your area are eligible.
However, the availability of this service can vary widely depending on your location and the time of year. For the most accurate information, refer to the SNAP Retailer Locator or contact the restaurants directly.
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Even More Tips For Lowering Food Costs & Accessing Nutrition
At The Budget Diet, we think programs like SNAP are an incredible way for those in need to get assistance. However, this is far from your only option.
In fact, there are other ways you can reduce your food spending while still accessing quality food. Several ideas include:
- Look for government benefits and hardship grants for individuals
- Using coupons when shopping to save money
- Shopping for healthy foods that cost less than a dollar
- Sticking to a food budget each month
- Cooking in bulk to save extra money
- Using reward platforms like Swagbucks or InboxDollars to find dining deals and savings
Even saving an additional $50 per month is an extra $600 per year in your pocket. When you stack these methods with your SNAP benefits, healthy eating can become much more accessible.
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Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the RMP program is an integral tool that helps SNAP participants gain more equal access to food and nutrition. And, thankfully, plenty of nationwide restaurants participate in the program.
The team at The Budget Diet will work on keeping this list of participating restaurants up-to-date. Hopefully, this guide and the eligible restaurants out there help you get a nice and hot meal when you need it most.
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