Restaurants That Accept EBT in 2026 — State-by-State SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) Guide
Find the nine participating states, official restaurant lists, household eligibility rules and local produce incentives.
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Quick Answer
SNAP usually cannot buy hot food or meals for on-premises consumption. The Restaurant Meals Program is an exception for eligible SNAP households in Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island and Virginia. All household members must meet the elderly, disabled, homeless or qualifying-spouse criteria, and the state must code the EBT card for RMP. A specific restaurant must be authorized. Participation in SNAP alone, a recent release from custody or a restaurant’s brand name does not establish eligibility.
All 9 States With Active SNAP Restaurant Meals Programs (2026)
The federal Restaurant Meals Program page currently lists these nine participating states. Click any state to view its full EBT card guide, customer service number, and replacement rules, or open the official state agency directory to search approved restaurant addresses by county or zip code.
| State | Administering Agency & Scope | Participating Counties / Areas | Major Chains & Restaurant Types | Official Restaurant List |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California (CA) | CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Participating authorized locations; check the current state roster | The official directory identifies current locations. State participation does not mean every county has an enrolled restaurant. | Authorization applies to individual addresses, not an entire restaurant brand. Confirm participation before ordering. Ask your SNAP agency to confirm your household’s RMP indicator if the card is declined. | California Department of Social Services (CDSS) — RMP information / restaurant list → |
| Arizona (AZ) | Arizona SNAP Restaurant Meals Program Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) Participating authorized locations; check the current state roster | The official directory identifies current locations. State participation does not mean every county has an enrolled restaurant. | Authorization applies to individual addresses, not an entire restaurant brand. Confirm participation before ordering. Ask your SNAP agency to confirm your household’s RMP indicator if the card is declined. | Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) — RMP information / restaurant list → |
| New York (NY) | New York State SNAP Restaurant Meals Program NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) Statewide expansion; locations vary by county | The official directory identifies current locations. State participation does not mean every county has an enrolled restaurant. | Authorization applies to individual addresses, not an entire restaurant brand. Confirm participation before ordering. OTDA’s published customer card describes a 10% meal discount and ebtEDGE eligibility lookup. New restaurants are added to its roster. | NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) — RMP information / restaurant list → |
| Michigan (MI) | Michigan FAP Restaurant Meal Program Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Participating authorized locations; check the current state roster | The official directory identifies current locations. State participation does not mean every county has an enrolled restaurant. | Authorization applies to individual addresses, not an entire restaurant brand. Confirm participation before ordering. MDHHS publishes an address-level restaurant PDF; check the date and call the restaurant before visiting. | Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) — RMP information / restaurant list → |
| Virginia (VA) | Virginia Restaurant Meals Program (VRMP) Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) Participating authorized locations; check the current state roster | The official directory identifies current locations. State participation does not mean every county has an enrolled restaurant. | Authorization applies to individual addresses, not an entire restaurant brand. Confirm participation before ordering. Ask your SNAP agency to confirm your household’s RMP indicator if the card is declined. | Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) — RMP information / restaurant list → |
| Illinois (IL) | Illinois SNAP Restaurant Meals Program Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Cook and Franklin Counties on the federal participating-state list | Cook and Franklin; check IDHS for subsequent expansion. Do not assume other Illinois counties have enrolled restaurants. | Authorization applies to individual addresses, not an entire restaurant brand. Confirm participation before ordering. Ask your SNAP agency to confirm your household’s RMP indicator if the card is declined. | Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) — RMP information / restaurant list → |
| Maryland (MD) | Maryland Restaurant Meals Program Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) Participating authorized locations; check the current state roster | The official directory identifies current locations. State participation does not mean every county has an enrolled restaurant. | Authorization applies to individual addresses, not an entire restaurant brand. Confirm participation before ordering. Ask your SNAP agency to confirm your household’s RMP indicator if the card is declined. | Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) — RMP information / restaurant list → |
| Massachusetts (MA) | Massachusetts SNAP Restaurant Meals Program Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) Participating authorized locations; check the current state roster | The official directory identifies current locations. State participation does not mean every county has an enrolled restaurant. | Authorization applies to individual addresses, not an entire restaurant brand. Confirm participation before ordering. DTA’s RMP page links approved restaurants and food trucks and its current vendor finder. | Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) — RMP information / restaurant list → |
| Rhode Island (RI) | Rhode Island SNAP Restaurant Meals Program Rhode Island Department of Human Services (RI DHS) Participating authorized locations; check the current state roster | The official directory identifies current locations. State participation does not mean every county has an enrolled restaurant. | Authorization applies to individual addresses, not an entire restaurant brand. Confirm participation before ordering. Ask your SNAP agency to confirm your household’s RMP indicator if the card is declined. | Rhode Island Department of Human Services (RI DHS) — RMP information / restaurant list → |
Farmers Market EBT & Double Up Food Bucks (Open to All SNAP Households)
Even if you do not live in one of the 9 RMP states above, SNAP households may find local produce incentives at participating markets or stores. Availability, matching rates and caps differ by program:
| Program Name | Where It Operates | How the EBT Match Works | Official Finder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market Match (California) | Participating California markets and farm stands | Matches eligible CalFresh purchases for produce; local caps, participating vendors and funding vary. Check the market before shopping. | Find Locations → |
| Double Up Food Bucks (National Network) | Participating locations in the network; use the finder | Participating locations offer nutrition incentives. Match rates, caps and eligible purchases depend on the local program and available funding. | Find Locations → |
| NYC Health Bucks | New York City & New York State farmers markets | At participating NYC farmers markets, $2 in Health Bucks for each $2 spent in SNAP, up to $10 per day. NYS FreshConnect is a separate program, not a 40%–50% add-on. | Find Locations → |
| Massachusetts HIP (Healthy Incentives Program) | Massachusetts (statewide at participating farms & markets) | Instant $40 to $80/month automatic EBT rebate (depending on household size) when buying produce from HIP farm vendors. | Find Locations → |
| Link Up Illinois | Participating Illinois locations | Participating locations match eligible Link purchases for produce. Check the location’s current cap and transaction rules. | Find Locations → |
Eligibility at a Glance
Income Limits
Must already be approved for and receiving SNAP (food stamps) in one of the 9 active RMP states (AZ, CA, IL, MA, MD, MI, NY, RI, VA).
Asset Limits
No separate asset test beyond your existing state SNAP rules.
Who Qualifies
- --Households meeting the RMP elderly (60+), qualifying disability or homelessness criteria, including qualifying spouses. Ask the state SNAP agency to confirm the whole household.
- --For homelessness, the SNAP definition in 7 CFR § 271.2 includes specified shelters, temporary accommodation and places not designed for sleeping. The caseworker must assess the actual living arrangement; simply lacking a private stove does not determine eligibility.
Important Restrictions
- --Every member of your SNAP household must fall into an eligible category (or be the spouse of an eligible member). A household with non-disabled adults under 60 and children who have a fixed apartment with a kitchen does not qualify for RMP.
- --Your EBT card must be coded for RMP in your state's eligibility system before the restaurant terminal will approve the swipe.
- --Only participating franchise locations with a USDA FNS Restaurant Meals Program permit can accept EBT — you cannot use EBT at every Subway or Jack in the Box nationwide.
- --SNAP EBT cannot pay for alcohol, tobacco, tips/gratuities, or restaurant delivery fees.
How to Apply — Step by Step
- 1.
Check if your state and county operate RMP
Confirm you receive SNAP in Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, or Virginia, and check the state table above to verify your county has enrolled restaurants.
- 2.
Verify your SNAP case is coded as Elderly (60+), Disabled, or Homeless
Log into your state benefits portal (BenefitsCal, ABE Illinois, MiBridges, ACCESS HRA, DTA Connect, or AZ Health-e-Arizona Plus) or call your caseworker. If you live in a shelter, halfway house, motel, or temporary housing without a private kitchen, ask your worker to update your living arrangement code to 'Homeless' so the system turns on your EBT card's RMP flag.
- 3.
Look up an authorized franchise address before you go
Use your state's official RMP restaurant PDF or map (linked in the table above) to verify the exact street address. Do not assume all locations of Subway, Burger King, or Jack in the Box participate.
- 4.
Order eligible prepared meals and swipe your EBT Food account
Tell the cashier before ordering or paying that you are using SNAP EBT under the Restaurant Meals Program. Select 'EBT Food' (or 'SNAP') on the pinpad and enter your 4-digit PIN. No state or local sales tax may be charged on RMP purchases.
Find an authorized restaurant before ordering
Use your state’s official directory above and confirm the exact address and current participation. A chain can have authorized and unauthorized locations. Ask the SNAP office about a declined RMP transaction; a grocery EBT card is not automatically enabled for restaurant meals.
Returning from custody or staying in temporary housing
Tell your SNAP caseworker where you live, who is in the household and how meals are provided. Some shelter or halfway-house arrangements may meet the federal homelessness definition, while institutional meal arrangements can affect SNAP eligibility separately. Release papers or lack of a private kitchen alone do not establish RMP eligibility.
What you can buy without RMP
At authorized retailers, eligible cold foods intended for home consumption may be purchased with SNAP. Food hot at the point of sale and food sold for on-premises consumption are generally excluded unless an applicable exception or temporary disaster waiver applies. Check the item and retailer rather than assuming every deli or pizza purchase qualifies.
SNAP food benefits and cash benefits are different
An EBT card may carry separate SNAP and cash accounts. RMP uses the food account. Cash-benefit withdrawal, retailer acceptance and prohibited locations are governed by separate rules; a normal debit-card logo does not establish cash-EBT acceptance.
Produce incentives vary by program
Farmers-market matching programs are separate from RMP. Use the finder for the location, benefit amount, eligible food and current funding. NYC Health Bucks provides $2 for each $2 of SNAP spent at participating markets, up to $10 a day. NYS FreshConnect separately describes a $2 check for each $2 exchanged in SNAP; do not assume programs can always be combined.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can any SNAP household buy fast food?
- No. Restaurant Meals Program eligibility is limited, the card must be coded and the individual restaurant must participate.
- Does every restaurant in a participating state accept EBT?
- No. Authorization is tied to individual locations. Use the state roster and confirm before ordering.
- Does living in a halfway house automatically qualify me?
- No. Ask the SNAP agency to assess the actual residence, household and meal arrangements. RMP eligibility and underlying SNAP eligibility are separate questions.
- Can I use SNAP for tips or delivery charges?
- No. SNAP does not cover tips, delivery fees, alcohol or other nonfood charges.
- Can I get farmers-market matching benefits outside an RMP state?
- Possibly. Produce incentives are separate local programs. Check participating locations and current caps; a match is not available at every market.
Helpful Resources
- California — RMP
Official state program information and current participating-location resources.
- Arizona — RMP
Official state program information and current participating-location resources.
- New York — RMP
Official state program information and current participating-location resources.
- Michigan — RMP
Official state program information and current participating-location resources.
- Virginia — RMP
Official state program information and current participating-location resources.
- Illinois — RMP
Official state program information and current participating-location resources.
- Maryland — RMP
Official state program information and current participating-location resources.
- Massachusetts — RMP
Official state program information and current participating-location resources.
- Rhode Island — RMP
Official state program information and current participating-location resources.
- USDA — Restaurant Meals Program
Federal household criteria and participating-state list.