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Can SNAP benefits be used to buy hot prepared foods or meals from restaurants?
Executive summary
SNAP generally cannot be used to buy hot, prepared meals at restaurants for most recipients, but a federal state option — the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) — explicitly allows eligible SNAP households in participating states to purchase prepared or hot meals at authorized restaurants using EBT (electronic benefit transfer) cards [1] [2]. A small number of states run RMPs (examples: Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island, Virginia, New York), and eligibility is limited to groups like people who are elderly, disabled, or experiencing homelessness; participating restaurants must be authorized and often offer discount pricing [3] [4] [5].
1. How the rule works: a federal option, state-controlled implementation
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) allows states to operate an RMP so that “the purchase of prepared meals from authorized restaurants using SNAP benefits is permitted,” but only when a state chooses to implement the program and certify participating restaurants; the federal rule delegates selection and operational details to the state [2] [1]. That means a national SNAP EBT card does not automatically work at every restaurant — the card must be coded and the restaurant must be authorized under the state’s RMP [1].
2. Who is eligible to use SNAP at restaurants under RMPs
States typically restrict RMP eligibility to people who have difficulty storing or preparing food — most commonly elderly adults (60+), people with disabilities as defined by SNAP, and people experiencing homelessness; some states also include spouses of qualifying beneficiaries [3] [4] [6]. If you don’t fall into a state’s RMP eligibility categories, your EBT transactions at a restaurant will be declined unless your state’s rules differ — most SNAP households cannot use benefits at restaurants [1] [7].
3. Where and when it’s available: only in participating states and locations
To date, only a subset of states and selected localities have adopted RMPs; NCOA and other reporting list Arizona and California as broadly available, with Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Virginia offering RMP options in certain cities or counties [3]. States must notify FNS and establish which restaurants will participate; participating outlets and geographic limits vary by state [2] [8].
4. What participating restaurants must do (and what customers can expect)
Restaurants must enter into agreements with the state and be authorized by FNS to accept SNAP under the RMP; they also must be able to process EBT transactions for eligible customers and in some states provide meals at concessional/discount prices (e.g., New York’s RMP offers a 10% discount; Maryland guidance notes participating restaurants cannot charge tax under the RMP) [1] [5] [4]. States publish lists of participating restaurants so eligible SNAP households can locate where to use benefits [6] [8].
5. Why the program exists and competing perspectives
Advocates frame RMPs as a practical accommodation: they expand access for people who cannot shop or cook, such as the homeless or disabled, enabling immediate access to hot, nutritious food [3] [7]. Critics argue concerns about cost, fraud risk, or that allowing restaurant purchases could undermine SNAP’s intent to support grocery purchases; however, federal rules require controls so only eligible households use the benefit at approved restaurants, addressing some oversight concerns [2] [1]. Available sources do not mention detailed national-level fraud statistics comparing RMP to regular SNAP usage.
6. Practical takeaways for SNAP beneficiaries and restaurants
If you receive SNAP and are elderly, disabled, or homeless, check your state’s RMP policy and whether your EBT card is coded for restaurant purchases — states publish participating-restaurant lists and eligibility details online [6] [8]. Restaurants interested in participating must apply for SNAP authorization and sign an RMP agreement and then submit the FNS retailer application per FNS instructions [1].
7. Context from recent reporting: private help during benefit disruptions
When SNAP benefits are disrupted or reduced, many restaurants and community groups have offered free or discounted meals to affected families and seniors — a separate charitable response that does not depend on SNAP rules but shows local mitigation efforts during benefit shortfalls [9] [10] [11] [12]. These community actions are distinct from RMP-authorized EBT purchases and reflect local responses to food insecurity [9] [10].
Limitations: This analysis uses only the provided materials; for up-to-date participation lists, eligibility specifics, or to check whether your state operates RMP and which restaurants participate, consult your state SNAP agency’s RMP page (examples cited: NY OTDA, Maryland DHS, Illinois DHS) or the FNS retailer/restaurant guidance [1] [5] [4] [8].