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FY2027 limits, in effect from October 1, 2026

SNAP Restaurant Meals Program: who qualifies and which states take EBT at restaurants

EBT card13 min readBy Editorial team

The nine states where SNAP pays for restaurant meals, who qualifies (60+, disabled, homeless and spouses), how to check your card and find a participating restaurant.

Order counter of a small burger shop with chalkboard menus for chicken burgers, hot dogs, sides, burgers, drinks and shakes, and a cooler of canned sodas

You can pay for a restaurant meal with SNAP only in a state that runs the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), only at a restaurant that state has approved, and only if everyone in your SNAP household is 60 or older, disabled, or homeless, or is the spouse of someone who qualifies. USDA lists nine states with the program: Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island and Virginia (USDA, SNAP Restaurant Meals Program, page updated August 7, 2026). You do not apply separately. If your household qualifies, the state codes your EBT card, and the card works at participating restaurants. Everywhere else, and for everyone else, SNAP still cannot buy hot or ready-to-eat restaurant food.

Who qualifies

USDA’s rule has two parts (USDA RMP page):

  1. You get SNAP from a state that has a Restaurant Meals Program, and
  2. every member of your SNAP household is one of these:
    • elderly: 60 or older;
    • disabled: receives disability or blindness payments, or receives disability retirement benefits from a government agency because of a disability considered permanent;
    • homeless;
    • the spouse of a household member who qualifies.

The test covers the whole household, not one person. Some examples:

Your SNAP household Qualifies?
You, 64, living alone Yes, 60 or older
You, 68, and your wife, 55 Yes, she is the spouse of someone who qualifies
You, 45, receiving SSI disability, and your husband, 47, not disabled Yes, he is the spouse of someone who qualifies
You, 70, and your grandson, 10, on the same case No, the grandson is not elderly, disabled, homeless or a spouse
You, 30, staying in a shelter Yes, homeless
You, 52, on a temporary leave from work for an injury, no disability payments No, unless your state counts you as disabled

Who counts as homeless is defined by each state in its own words. Virginia counts people without a fixed nighttime residence, people staying temporarily with others for 90 days or less, and people in shelters or places not meant for sleeping (Virginia DSS, VRMP Customers FAQs). Illinois also counts a temporary stay in someone else’s home of up to 90 days (Illinois DHS, SNAP Restaurant Meals Program).

Who counts as disabled is not limited to SSI. Illinois lists Social Security disability (RSDI), a 100% VA disability rating, railroad retirement disability, or a disability determination by the Illinois DHS Client Assessment Unit (Illinois DHS, Restaurant Meals FAQ). If your agency does not know about your disability or that you are homeless, the card will not be coded. Tell your caseworker. Massachusetts says this directly in its client FAQ (Mass. DTA, SNAP RMP Client FAQ).

Maryland words the spouse rule more narrowly for disabled clients: the spouse of a disabled client can use the program “if the two are the only participants on the SNAP case” (Maryland DHS, Restaurant Meals Program). Rhode Island counts as disabled only people “designated disabled by a government entity” (Rhode Island DHS).

Where the program runs

Two official counts tell you how much choice you have in each state. The first column comes from the state agency’s own list. The second comes from USDA’s SNAP retailer data, which lists every SNAP-authorized business by store type, including “Restaurant Meals Program.” USDA says this data is refreshed every two weeks (USDA, SNAP Retailer Location data). The counts below were taken on October 16, 2026, from the copy USDA updated on October 15, 2026 (USDA, SNAP Retailer Locator).

State What the state agency says USDA RMP locations (Oct. 16, 2026) Where most are
California Statewide since September 1, 2021; map and county lists 6,482 in 52 counties Los Angeles County (2,244)
Arizona Restaurant list updated quarterly; can include grocery-store delis 972 in 14 counties Maricopa County (663)
New York Restaurant list by county; 10% discount 478 in 41 counties New York City (324 in the five boroughs)
Michigan Map and printable list 337 in 43 counties Wayne County (76)
Virginia Online restaurant table (87 rows on October 16, 2026) 78 in 35 counties and cities Newport News (14)
Illinois Statewide; 10% discount 54 in 14 counties Cook County (29)
Maryland A pilot; list of restaurants in 11 counties and Baltimore City 29 in 11 counties and Baltimore City Baltimore City (5)
Rhode Island “Nine participating Subway restaurants” 15 in 3 counties Providence County (13)
Massachusetts 13 restaurants and food trucks in 7 cities 14 in 6 counties Suffolk County, Boston area (8)

Sources for the state column: CDSS, Arizona DES, NY OTDA, Michigan MDHHS, Virginia DSS, Illinois DHS, Maryland DHS, Rhode Island DHS, Mass. DTA.

The two counts do not match exactly, and that is expected: the state lists and USDA’s data are updated on different schedules, and a restaurant needs both state approval and USDA authorization before it can take your card. Use the state list or the USDA map as a starting point and look for the sign on the door.

A few things in that table need a word of caution:

  • Illinois. USDA’s program page still describes Illinois as “Cook and Franklin Counties Only.” Illinois DHS answers “Yes” to “Is the RMP statewide?” (IDHS FAQ), and USDA’s own retailer data shows Illinois RMP restaurants in 14 counties, from Cook and Sangamon to Rock Island and Clark. The USDA program page appears to be out of date on this point.
  • New York. The program began as a pilot in Monroe County in December 2023 and reached New York City in 2024. OTDA’s policy notice GIS 25DC012, dated February 3, 2025, extended it beyond the pilot areas. OTDA posts restaurants by county and says the list is updated as restaurants join (OTDA participating restaurants). USDA’s data shows RMP restaurants in 41 of New York’s 62 counties.
  • California. State law (AB 942, effective October 12, 2019) made the program statewide, and it has been open to restaurants in every county since September 1, 2021. CDSS says it is still working toward having a restaurant in every county (CDSS, CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program).

Every other state, the District of Columbia, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands have no Restaurant Meals Program on USDA’s list. If you live in one of them, see Other ways to use SNAP for prepared meals.

How to check that your card is set up

No state on the list asks you to fill out a separate application. The agency codes your card from what is already in your case file. Each state gives a different way to check:

  • New York: log in at ebtEDGE or the ebtEDGE app. Under “Account Information,” eligible accounts show a thumbs-up icon and “Account is Restaurant Meal Program Eligible.” To make an ebtEDGE account you need your card number, PIN and an email address. If the message is missing and you think you qualify, contact your local department of social services (OTDA, RMP FAQ).
  • Massachusetts: call 1-800-997-2555 and choose option 6 (Mass. DTA FAQ).
  • Illinois: IDHS sends a notice. You can also check in ABE Manage My Case or ebtEDGE, or call the IDHS help line at 1-800-843-6154 (IDHS FAQ).
  • Michigan: look for the RMP eligibility message in your MI Bridges account. If you do not see it, ask your caseworker (MDHHS, RMP FAQ for EBT recipients).
  • Rhode Island: call 1-866-306-0270 or ask your local DHS office (RI DHS flyer and Q&A).
  • Arizona and Virginia: no separate step. Arizona says your card “has been enabled” if your household meets the conditions (Arizona DES). Virginia says no separate application is needed and sends questions to your local department of social services (Virginia DSS FAQ).
  • California: call the CalFresh Info Line at 1-877-847-3663 (CDSS).
  • Maryland: DHS reviews whether you still qualify at every redetermination (Maryland DHS).

The restaurant does not decide whether you qualify, and it does not need to see an ID. A card that is not coded is declined automatically at the register (USDA RMP page). Virginia and Rhode Island say you need only your EBT card and PIN.

How to find a participating restaurant

Restaurants in the program post a sign on the door or window. New York uses a decal on the door or window (OTDA FAQ). Rhode Island’s sign reads “Participating Restaurant: SNAP Restaurant Meals Program” with a fork-and-knife logo. Virginia uses a VRMP logo.

To search before you go:

Many locations are fast-food chains. In Virginia’s list on October 16, 2026, 49 of 87 rows were KFC and 12 were Subway. Maryland’s list has 11 KFC and 3 Checkers locations. Local restaurants, delis and food trucks take part too, and in Arizona the program can include the deli of a participating grocery store (Arizona DES).

What you pay, and what SNAP will not cover

  • No sales tax. The states that address it say a meal bought with SNAP is not taxed: Arizona, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts (meals tax), Michigan, New York, Rhode Island and Virginia. Arizona tells you to check your receipt and, if you were charged tax, first ask the restaurant to fix it, then call the number on the back of your card to open a dispute (Arizona DES).
  • No tips from SNAP. SNAP cannot pay a tip or gratuity (Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia).
  • A 10% discount in New York and Illinois. Both states require participating restaurants to give RMP customers 10% off (OTDA; IDHS). Federal law describes these meals as sold at “concessional prices,” meaning low or reduced prices (7 U.S.C. 2012(k); 7 CFR 271.2).
  • Food and non-alcoholic drinks only. New York spells this out (OTDA FAQ).
  • No extra benefits. Your monthly SNAP amount stays the same. A restaurant meal comes out of the same balance as your groceries (New York, Illinois, Michigan).
  • Delivery fees are not covered. Illinois allows take-out, and allows delivery only if the driver brings a portable card reader for your PIN. SNAP cannot pay the delivery fee, but Illinois says cash benefits can (IDHS FAQ). Michigan also says delivery fees cannot be paid with EBT.
  • No ordering ahead with SNAP. Illinois and Massachusetts say you cannot call ahead and prepay with SNAP benefits.

Worked example: a $12.00 meal in New York

You order a meal priced at $12.00 at a participating New York restaurant.

  • 10% discount: $12.00 × 0.10 = $1.20
  • Price after the discount: $12.00 − $1.20 = $10.80
  • Sales tax: $0
  • Tip: not payable with SNAP

$10.80 comes off your SNAP balance. If your balance is $8.00, the card is declined for the full amount unless you tell the cashier you will split the payment. New York warns that a card is declined either because you are not coded as eligible or because your balance is too low, and that you should be ready to pay another way (OTDA FAQ).

Paying part with SNAP and part another way

Several states allow a split payment. Tell the cashier before you pay. Virginia allows SNAP plus cash or a credit or debit card. Rhode Island allows SNAP plus EBT cash benefits (RI Works), cash or a credit card. Maryland and Michigan also allow a “mixed transaction,” and Illinois allows splitting the payment with another form of payment. Check your balance before you order: your last receipt shows it, and so does your state’s EBT cardholder site or phone line. Virginia and Rhode Island say the restaurant receipt shows your remaining SNAP balance.

If a participating restaurant declines your card, call the EBT customer service number on the back of your card or your caseworker. Virginia’s EBT line is 1-866-281-2448 (Virginia DSS FAQ). Rhode Island’s is 1-888-979-9939, and New York’s balance line is 1-888-328-6399.

Using your card in another RMP state

USDA’s program page does not say whether an RMP-coded card works at a participating restaurant in another state, and the states disagree:

  • Illinois says you can use your Link card at RMP restaurants in other participating states (IDHS FAQ).
  • Virginia says yes, in other states that run the program (Virginia DSS FAQ).
  • Maryland’s FAQ says both things on the same page: that you cannot buy meals at restaurants outside Maryland, and that you may use the card in other RMP states such as Virginia (Maryland DHS).
  • Rhode Island’s 2021 Q&A says the program is only for Rhode Island recipients at Rhode Island restaurants.

Within California, you can use your card at any participating restaurant in the state, not only in your own county (CDSS). Before you count on restaurant meals on a trip, call your own state’s EBT line.

Other ways to use SNAP for prepared meals

Hot or ready-to-eat food is excluded from SNAP in general (what you can buy with EBT). But federal law has other exceptions that apply in every state, with or without a Restaurant Meals Program (7 U.S.C. 2012(k)):

  • People 60 and older or receiving SSI or other disability payments, and their spouses: meals at senior citizens’ centers, at apartment buildings occupied mainly by older people, at nonprofit dining programs that serve them, and in federally subsidized housing for the elderly.
  • People 60 and older and people who are disabled and cannot fully prepare their own meals, and their spouses: home-delivered meals from a nonprofit (such as a Meals on Wheels provider) or from a business under contract with the state.
  • People without a permanent home or fixed mailing address: meals served by an approved nonprofit that feeds homeless people, such as a soup kitchen or shelter.
  • Residents of drug and alcohol treatment programs, small group homes for people with disabilities, and shelters for battered women and children: meals served there.

These providers must be authorized by USDA to accept SNAP. Ask the senior center, meal program or shelter whether it takes EBT.

How a state starts a program, and how restaurants join

The program is a state option (USDA RMP page). It goes back a long way: CDSS dates it to 1978 for older and disabled people, and to 1996 for homeless people (CDSS). Since the 2014 Farm Bill, a restaurant under contract with a state can be authorized only if USDA finds its participation is needed to meet a documented need (7 U.S.C. 2018(h)).

A restaurant joins in three steps: it gets approval from the state and signs the state’s agreement, it applies to USDA for SNAP authorization on form FNS 252-2, and it gets a point-of-sale device that accepts EBT. Each state decides how many restaurants it accepts and which ones. USDA’s Retailer Service Center answers questions about authorization at 1-877-823-4369. USDA lists a program contact for each of the nine states (USDA RMP page). If you want a restaurant near you to join, Arizona offers a flyer you can give the owner (Arizona DES).

Sources

Written by the Editorial team

StateEBT is researched and written by a small editorial team that reads state SNAP manuals, USDA guidance and agency notices so readers do not have to. We are not a government agency, we do not process applications, and no agency or company pays to be mentioned. About the team

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