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Can SNAP/EBT be used at restaurants for hot meals?
Executive Summary
SNAP/EBT generally cannot be used to buy hot, prepared meals at restaurants, but a narrow federal exception—the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP)—permits certain eligible recipients in a limited number of states to purchase hot meals at authorized restaurants. The USDA’s retailer‑eligibility rules, state RMP adoptions, and emergency waivers together determine when and where hot‑meal purchases with EBT are allowed [1] [2] [3].
1. How the federal rules draw a bright line around hot meals — and why that matters
The USDA’s retailer‑eligibility rules establish a bright line: firms whose over 50% of gross sales come from prepared foods intended for immediate consumption are ineligible to accept SNAP (the “Restaurant Threshold”), and foods cooked or heated on‑site count toward that threshold; this rule is the primary reason most restaurants cannot accept SNAP/EBT for hot meals [3]. These regulations reflect a policy dated to the 1970s that aims to steer SNAP benefits toward unprepared grocery items and away from higher‑cost ready‑to‑eat food, preserving program integrity and budget predictability [2]. The practical effect is that most fast‑food outlets and sit‑down restaurants do not qualify as SNAP retailers unless they participate in a special program or the state obtains a waiver, which keeps the default national position restrictive while allowing targeted exceptions [3] [2].
2. The Restaurant Meals Program: a narrow, state‑run exception with strict eligibility
The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) allows participating states to authorize restaurants and delis to accept SNAP EBT cards for hot, prepared meals, but the program is limited and conditional: only specific beneficiary groups—typically seniors age 60 and over, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness (and in some states the spouses of eligible recipients)—qualify to use EBT at participating restaurants [1] [4] [5]. The RMP exists in a small set of states; official lists and state program pages document that nine states have adopted RMPs, and participating restaurants can include large chains and local vendors depending on the state’s vendor authorization [1]. States do not increase benefit amounts under RMP; they merely allow eligible people to spend existing SNAP benefits on prepared meals at approved venues, with sales tax rules and receipts handled according to state practice [4].
3. Where the policy is implemented on the ground — which states and venues accept EBT for hot food
State implementations vary: Maryland and New York publicly list participating restaurants and eligibility rules that mirror USDA guidance, and other states that adopted RMPs maintain similar lists and enrollment processes; participating venues have included fast‑food chains such as McDonald’s, Subway, and KFC where those firms have chosen to enroll [4] [5] [1]. The presence of national chains among authorized vendors reflects that the RMP pathway is an administrative decision at the state level combined with vendor willingness to enroll and meet EBT transaction requirements. The bottom line is geographic and administrative variation: a SNAP recipient’s ability to use benefits for a hot meal depends on the state’s adoption of RMP, the individual’s eligibility status, and whether nearby restaurants have joined the program [1] [4].
4. Temporary exceptions and the policy debates that could change access
Beyond RMP, federal waivers during disasters or extreme weather can temporarily allow SNAP benefits to be used for prepared meals, and congressional proposals have periodically sought to broaden hot‑meal eligibility more permanently [2]. News and advocacy outlets note that proponents argue expanded access reduces food insecurity and improves dignity for those who cannot cook, while opponents cite fiscal and program‑targeting concerns; these competing priorities explain why the policy remains a mix of narrow exceptions rather than a broad entitlement [2] [6]. Watch for state adoption changes and federal legislation: recent reporting through mid‑2025 identifies legislative activity and state pilot interest, but no nationwide expansion of hot‑meal eligibility has been enacted as of the latest sources [6] [1].
5. How to check current eligibility and avoid misinformation
Rules and participating vendors change frequently; the most authoritative sources for an individual are state human‑services agencies and the USDA’s SNAP retailer guidance, which explain the Restaurant Meals Program, the restaurant threshold rule, and emergency waiver authority [3] [7]. Media and advocacy summaries provide useful context and lists but can vary in completeness—verify state RMP status and individual eligibility with an official state page or local SNAP office before assuming you can use EBT at a restaurant, because local participation and qualifying criteria determine real‑world access [4] [5].