Navigating SNAP and the Restaurant Meals Program
For most SNAP recipients, the rules are very clear: benefits can only be used for groceries and other cold, unprepared food items. The reason for this is to ensure benefits are used for household food preparation rather than convenience purchases. Items like hot rotisserie chickens, prepared deli soups, and sandwiches from a café are generally ineligible. However, a less-known federal program, the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), provides a critical exception in some areas.
What is the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP)?
The RMP is a state-optional program that allows certain populations to use their SNAP benefits to purchase prepared meals at authorized restaurants. This program was designed to help vulnerable individuals who may have difficulty preparing food for themselves. The USDA authorizes the program, but it is up to each state to choose to implement it.
Eligibility for the RMP is typically limited to:
- Individuals aged 60 or older: Seniors who may have limited mobility or health issues preventing them from cooking can benefit greatly from the RMP.
- People with disabilities: This includes those who receive disability payments and may have physical or mental impairments that make cooking difficult.
- Individuals experiencing homelessness: For those without access to a kitchen or proper storage facilities, the RMP provides a necessary avenue for obtaining hot food.
Which States Participate in the RMP?
As of late 2025, the RMP is available in a limited number of states. This means that a SNAP recipient's ability to buy fast food is entirely dependent on their state of residence and specific eligibility criteria.
States currently participating include:
- Arizona
- California
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New York
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
- Oregon (currently piloting the program)
It is important to note that even within these states, not all restaurants participate. The individual restaurants must apply and be approved to accept EBT for prepared meals. Eligible individuals can often find a list of participating locations on their state's SNAP or Department of Social Services website.
How to Use Your EBT Card at Participating Restaurants
For those who are eligible and live in a participating state, using an EBT card at an authorized restaurant is a straightforward process. The card works similarly to a standard debit card. When an eligible SNAP household is designated for the RMP, their EBT card is coded to be accepted at approved restaurant point-of-sale systems.
- Check Eligibility: You can typically check your RMP eligibility status by logging into your ebtEDGE account online or through the mobile app.
- Look for RMP Signage: Participating restaurants are required to display a sign, often with an RMP logo, indicating they accept EBT for prepared meals.
- Verify Funds: Before ordering, it is always a good idea to check your EBT balance. If your SNAP benefits are insufficient, you may be able to use your EBT cash benefits or another payment method to cover the difference.
- No Tax or Tip: Under the program, participating restaurants cannot charge tax on EBT purchases. Additionally, tips cannot be charged to the EBT card.
Fast Food Chains with Participating Locations
Several national fast food chains have locations that participate in the RMP in certain states, though participation varies widely by location. Always confirm with your state's official list or directly with the restaurant before assuming they accept EBT.
| Fast Food Chain | RMP Participation Status (Varies by State) |
|---|---|
| McDonald's | Select locations in states like Arizona, California, and Michigan. |
| Subway | Widely participating in RMP states, but still varies by location. |
| Burger King | Some locations participate in RMP states, including Arizona. |
| Taco Bell | Limited locations participate in RMP states. |
| Jack in the Box | Select locations in RMP states, such as California and Arizona. |
| KFC | Some locations participate in certain RMP states. |
| Wendy's | Known to participate in select locations, particularly in California. |
Conclusion
While the general rule prohibits using SNAP for fast food, a small but important exception exists for specific vulnerable populations through the Restaurant Meals Program. This program is not nationwide and depends entirely on individual state implementation. For eligible individuals—the elderly, disabled, and homeless—in participating states, it provides a crucial and convenient option for accessing prepared meals. If you meet the criteria and live in one of the states listed, checking your state's resources for an updated list of authorized restaurants is the next step. For all other SNAP recipients, benefits are restricted to non-hot, unprepared grocery items, a rule that has remained consistent across most of the program.
Visit your state's official SNAP website for program details and participating restaurants.
