SNAP coupons in restaurants: Who can use them and where
Residents of certain states can use their SNAP coupons to buy prepared food at restaurants. Find out which establishments accept the coupons.
The United States offers various financial aid programs at the federal level. One of the most popular subsidies is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known simply as SNAP.
Through this assistance, the federal government allocates funds to provide monthly payments to families who struggle to put food on their tables. The relief is issued in the form of food stamps through EBT debit cards, which are accepted in certain stores, supermarkets and markets on wheels.
With the aim of providing greater relief to beneficiaries, some states have launched the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), whose mission is to help those who are unable to prepare their own food and have to buy ready-made meals with their SNAP benefits.
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Who can use SNAP coupons at restaurants?
In order to use SNAP coupons in restaurants, recipients must reside in a state that is registered with the RMP. In addition, all household members must be people over 60 years of age, have a disability or receive some type of disability relief, be homeless, or be the spouse of an RMP-eligible SNAP recipient.
Although SNAP is a benefit at the federal level, not all states are enrolled in the Restaurant Meals Program. At this time, only beneficiaries who meet the criteria and reside in the states of Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island and Virginia can use their EBT cards in restaurants.
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What restaurants and places accept SNAP coupons?
For a restaurant to be eligible for the RMP, it must submit a request for authorization by submitting form FNS 252-2. If the application is approved, the restaurant will have an agreement with the Food and Nutrition Service and will be able to receive payments with SNAP cards.
States reserve the right to choose how many and which restaurants participate in the RMP.
As for the beneficiaries, if they are eligible for the RMP, their EBT card will show a special code so that restaurants can identify the recipients of that aid. For more information, visit your state’s RMP website.