Can You Buy Hot Chicken From Walmart With EBT?

December 25, 2025 •

3 min read

Federal SNAP rules typically prevent the use of EBT for hot, prepared foods that are ready for immediate consumption. This rule, in place since the 1970s, applies to most stores, including Walmart, unless specific state programs or conditions are met.

Quick Summary

Purchasing hot, prepared chicken from Walmart with EBT hinges on its temperature at purchase. Federal rules usually prohibit hot items with SNAP benefits. Some states offer exceptions through the Restaurant Meals Program, or allow purchase if the item is sold cold.

Key Points

Federal Law: SNAP/EBT benefits generally cannot be used to purchase food that is hot at the point of sale.
Hot Chicken Ineligible: A hot rotisserie chicken from the Walmart deli is typically an ineligible purchase with EBT.
Cold Chicken Eligible: A whole chicken or pre-packaged cold chicken is an eligible grocery item.
Restaurant Meals Program (RMP): A few states (e.g., CA, AZ, NY) offer the RMP which allows specific eligible individuals (elderly, disabled, homeless) to buy hot prepared foods at authorized locations, which a Walmart deli may or may not be.
Cold Deli Items: Cold deli items like pre-made sandwiches, salads, and take-and-bake items are eligible for EBT purchase.

Whether you can buy hot chicken from Walmart with EBT is usually a 'no,' but the full answer involves federal guidelines and state exceptions. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously called food stamps, helps low-income families buy food for home preparation. This determines what can be bought with an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.

Understanding the Federal EBT/SNAP Rules

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets guidelines for SNAP purchases. The main rule affecting hot rotisserie chicken from Walmart's deli is: EBT cannot be used for food that is hot at the point of sale or sold to eat in the store.

This rule applies to most grocery stores in the U.S. The goal is to ensure benefits are used for home-cooked meals. Non-food items, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, and supplements are also prohibited.

Why is Hot Chicken a Problem?

A warm rotisserie chicken is considered a hot, prepared food. The temperature at purchase matters to the EBT system. The register identifies the item code as ineligible.

Walmart often sells prepared foods, including:

Cold deli sandwiches and wraps
Pre-cut fruit and veggie platters
Deli meats and cheeses
Cold, uncooked take-and-bake pizzas
Chilled rotisserie chicken (day-old or pre-packaged cold)

These items are SNAP-eligible because they are sold cold and intended for consumption away from the store, sometimes needing preparation (like take-and-bake pizza).

The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) Exception

A special program allows for hot, prepared food purchases, but it's not widely available and has requirements. The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) lets SNAP recipients use EBT cards at participating restaurants and authorized retailers (which could include a deli section if the state allows).

RMP Eligibility

To be RMP-eligible, a SNAP recipient must live in a participating state and meet criteria:

60 or older
Disabled
Homeless
Spouse of an eligible RMP recipient

States with RMP

Limited states participate in RMP, including: Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia.

If you live in these states and meet the criteria, you might buy hot chicken, but it's not guaranteed. The Walmart must be an authorized RMP retailer. Check with the local store and state SNAP office.

The Difference Between Hot and Cold Deli Purchases

Temperature and packaging at the point of sale are key. The following table highlights the difference:


Item Description	Temperature at Purchase	SNAP/EBT Eligible?	Rationale
Hot Rotisserie Chicken	Hot/Warm	No (Generally)	Considered hot, prepared food for immediate consumption.
Cold Rotisserie Chicken	Chilled/Refrigerated	Yes	Sold cold, intended for home consumption.
Hot Deli Sandwich/Meal	Hot/Warm	No (Generally)	Prepared and sold hot.
Cold Pre-packaged Sandwich	Chilled/Cold	Yes	Packaged cold for home consumption.
Take-and-Bake Pizza	Cold	Yes	Requires home preparation/cooking.

Walmart Online and EBT

Walmart accepts EBT for online orders for pickup and delivery in most states. The same rules apply: add SNAP-eligible items, and the system flags ineligible items. If you order cold rotisserie chicken online for pickup, you can use your EBT card. Hot items require another payment method.

Conclusion

Most EBT recipients cannot buy hot rotisserie chicken from Walmart with SNAP benefits due to federal rules on prepared hot foods. Exceptions exist if the chicken is sold cold, or if the person is in a state with the Restaurant Meals Program and that Walmart deli is authorized. Check the item's temperature and your state's guidelines.

Citations

Propel. "Does Walmart Take EBT?". 2025.
Propel. "Can you buy hot food with EBT?". 2025.
Yahoo Finance. "SNAP Benefits: Can You Use EBT Card/Food Stamps To Purchase...". 2024.
Facebook. "EBT eligible rotisserie chicken options?". 2023.
Propel. "Does Walmart Take EBT?". 2025.
Propel. "Can you buy hot food with EBT?". 2025.
BenefitsCheckUp. "What Can You Buy With a SNAP EBT Card?".
CBS 42. "Which states allow SNAP benefits to purchase hot meals?".
Center for Science in the Public Interest. "SNAP and the Food Retail Environment". 2022.
Propel. "A Full List Of Everything You Can Buy With SNAP". 2025.
Yahoo Finance. "SNAP Benefits: Can You Use EBT Card/Food Stamps To Purchase...". 2024.
Quora. "I purchased lunch meat and cheese at the deli at my Walmart store...". 2021.
Walmart.com. "SNAP Online".
USDA Food and Nutrition Service. "Retailer Eligibility - Prepared Foods and Heated Foods". 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

Federal regulations state that SNAP benefits are for purchasing food for 'home preparation and consumption,' not prepared food that is hot and ready-to-eat at the point of sale. Walmart follows these federal guidelines.

Yes, if the rotisserie chicken is sold cold and pre-packaged in the refrigerated section (often a day-old item or specifically packaged this way), it is considered a grocery item and is EBT eligible.

Only a limited number of states operate a Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) that allows specific SNAP recipients (seniors, disabled, homeless) to buy hot meals. These states include Arizona, California, and others. You must be an eligible recipient in a participating state and shop at an authorized retailer.

You can purchase cold, pre-packaged deli items like salads, pre-made cold sandwiches, deli meats, cheeses, and take-and-bake pizzas. The key is that they are cold when sold.

Yes, Walmart accepts EBT for online orders for pickup and delivery in most states. The website or app will filter out non-eligible items, and you will need another payment method for those.

Yes, you can use your EBT card at Walmart self-checkout machines for all eligible items, including qualifying cold deli items. The system will automatically separate eligible and ineligible purchases.

Yes, after a federally declared disaster, states can request a USDA waiver to allow D-SNAP (Disaster-SNAP) participants to purchase hot and prepared foods for a limited time. This is a temporary measure based on specific circumstances.