Free Guide to EBT Restaurant Programs

What Are EBT Restaurant Programs?

The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is a state-based initiative that allows certain people who receive SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) to use their Electronic Benefit Transfer card, or EBT card, at participating restaurants. This program exists in select states and serves specific groups of people who may have difficulty preparing meals at home.

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EBT cards work like debit cards connected to a SNAP account. Normally, these cards can only be used at grocery stores and farmers markets to buy food items you prepare yourself. The Restaurant Meals Program changes this by letting certain cardholders purchase prepared meals at restaurants instead. The types of food you can buy remain limited—restaurants typically cannot sell hot, prepared foods through regular SNAP benefits, but the RMP creates an exception for this.

As of 2024, only seven states operate Restaurant Meals Programs: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, and Rhode Island. Each state runs its program differently, with different rules about which restaurants participate and which people can use the benefit. Some states include more restaurants than others, and some states have stricter rules about who qualifies.

The program was created to address a real problem: some people receiving SNAP benefits have physical disabilities, are homeless, are elderly, or face other barriers that make cooking at home difficult or impossible. Rather than forcing these individuals to go without adequate meals, the Restaurant Meals Program offers an alternative way to use their benefits.

Practical Takeaway: If you live in California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, or Rhode Island and receive SNAP benefits, the first step is to learn whether a Restaurant Meals Program exists in your state and, if so, which restaurants accept it. You can contact your state's SNAP agency directly to ask about the program in your area.

Which States Have Restaurant Programs and How They Work

California operates the largest Restaurant Meals Program in the country. The program serves homeless individuals, people 60 years old or older, and people receiving certain disability benefits. California has hundreds of participating restaurants ranging from small independent eateries to larger chains. The state's program has been running since 1993, making it one of the longest-established programs of its kind. Restaurants in California that participate display signage indicating they accept EBT for meals.

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Hawaii's program serves similar populations—homeless individuals, seniors over 60, and people with certain disabilities. Hawaii has a smaller number of participating restaurants compared to California, but the program remains available on both the Big Island and Maui. The island state's unique geography means restaurant availability may depend on which island you live on.

Illinois started its program more recently and focuses on homeless individuals and people experiencing housing instability. Maryland's program also serves homeless populations and has been growing its network of participating restaurants. Michigan operates a program for homeless individuals and people receiving certain state disability benefits. Nevada and Rhode Island also run programs, though with varying numbers of participating merchants and different eligibility rules based on individual circumstances.

Each state determines its own rules about how much you can spend, what times restaurants can serve meals, and whether you can buy certain items like alcohol or tobacco (you cannot—these items are restricted under SNAP rules in all circumstances, including through Restaurant Meals Programs). Some states allow you to buy any food item on a restaurant menu, while others restrict purchases to specific meal categories.

The actual mechanics of using your card at a participating restaurant work the same way as using it at a grocery store. You present your EBT card, the cashier or server enters the transaction, and the amount is deducted from your SNAP account balance. Your card will display the remaining balance, just as it would after any other purchase.

Practical Takeaway: Visit your state's SNAP program website and search for "Restaurant Meals Program" or call the SNAP customer service number on the back of your EBT card to find out exactly which restaurants participate in your state and what the specific rules are for how much you can spend.

Who Can Use Restaurant Meal Programs

Restaurant Meals Programs are not available to everyone who receives SNAP benefits. Instead, they target specific groups of people facing barriers to food preparation. The most common group served is homeless individuals and those experiencing homelessness. People living in shelters, cars, or other situations where cooking is not possible can typically participate. This includes people who are temporarily housed but expect to become homeless again, depending on the state's specific definition.

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People aged 60 and older who receive SNAP benefits may participate in programs offered through their state. This group often faces physical limitations that make cooking difficult—arthritis, mobility issues, vision problems, or other age-related conditions can make food preparation challenging. Seniors living alone may also have difficulty buying and storing fresh groceries.

Individuals receiving certain disability benefits are another group served by these programs. This typically includes people on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) who also receive SNAP. Different states may have different definitions of which disability circumstances qualify. Some states include people with serious mental illness, physical disabilities that limit mobility, or cognitive disabilities that make meal planning and cooking difficult.

Some states also serve people living in situations where cooking facilities are not available, such as those in recovery housing, transitional shelters, or other institutional settings. A few programs include people in treatment programs for substance use disorders.

The key rule across all programs is that you must already be receiving SNAP benefits. The Restaurant Meals Program does not provide new SNAP benefits—it only changes how you can use benefits you already receive. You cannot use a restaurant program if you don't have active SNAP benefits in your account.

Practical Takeaway: Contact your local SNAP office or visit your state's SNAP website to read the exact definitions of who can participate in your state's program. Requirements vary significantly between states, so what qualifies in California may not qualify in Illinois. Write down the specific criteria, and if you think you might meet them, gather relevant documents (proof of homelessness, birth certificate showing age, disability documentation, etc.) to have ready.

Finding and Using Participating Restaurants

Locating participating restaurants requires checking your specific state's resources. Each state that runs a Restaurant Meals Program maintains a list of approved merchants. California publishes an online directory of participating restaurants organized by county. You can search by location and see hours, phone numbers, and what types of food each restaurant serves. Hawaii provides a similar directory for its participating restaurants on both islands.

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In some states, you can also call the SNAP hotline number and ask a representative which restaurants near you participate. This is helpful if you don't have internet access or prefer talking to someone directly. The phone number is printed on the back of your EBT card.

Restaurants that participate in the program typically display a sign at the entrance or near the register indicating they accept EBT for meal purchases. Not all restaurants are willing to participate—many find the administrative requirements or rules about what can be purchased too complicated. Chain restaurants are sometimes less likely to participate than independent, locally-owned restaurants, though this varies by location.

When you visit a participating restaurant to purchase a meal using your EBT card, the transaction works the same way as any card payment. Tell the server or cashier you'll be paying with your EBT card. They'll ring up the purchase—typically limited to food items only, not drinks, tips, or non-food items—and run your card like a debit card. You'll see your remaining balance on the card reader or receipt. Keep your receipt to track your spending.

Some restaurants may not be familiar with the EBT Restaurant Meals Program, even if they're supposed to accept it. If a restaurant turns down your card and you believe they should accept it, you can politely explain the program or call your state's SNAP office to report the issue. Most problems are resolved through education—once restaurant staff understand the program, they're usually willing to process the transaction.

Practical Takeaway: Before visiting a new restaurant, verify it participates in your state's program by checking the official state directory or calling ahead. This prevents confusion and ensures you won't have an embarrassing situation at the register. Keep a photo of nearby participating restaurants in your phone for easy reference when you need a meal.

What You Can and Cannot Buy

SNAP rules about what can be purchased apply to Restaurant Meals Programs, even though the purchase location has changed. You can buy prepared food items that make up a meal—entrees, sides, vegetables, fruits, and bread.

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