Does Chick-Fil-A Take EBT? -Know more

EBT (electronic benefits card) is a product of the SNAP program introduced by the government, to assist low-income or no-income individuals and their families purchase retail food products at a subsidized cost. This program was meant to run mainly through grocery stores, but recently exceptions have been made for restaurants to be part of the program to cater to people who also cannot afford to cook at home. But before a restaurant can be qualified for this program, it has to be registered under the RMP. In this article will see, Does Chick-Fil-A Take EBT?

Does Chick-Fil-A Take EBT?

Does Chick-Fil-A Accept EBT?

Chick-Fil-A, unfortunately, does not accept EBT cards because it is not registered under the RMP. The reason for this is that Chick-Fil-A is yet to make an application for the RMP because it is obvious that they do not qualify for the program. Continue reading, let’s find out why!

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Why Chick-Fil-A Doesn’t Qualify For The RMP

Chick-Fil-A is arguably the largest American fast food restaurant chain specializing in chicken sandwiches. For a restaurant to qualify for the RMP, it must meet some mandatory requirements including:

– The restaurant must go through an application process and pass all the required tests by the RMP state.

– The restaurant must make available spaces for dining 

– The restaurant building must have consideration for disabled people.

– There must be approval from USDA to participate in the food assistance program.

– The restaurant must provide a POS machine that will be used by eligible customers.

– The restaurant must serve low-cost meals 

Now Chick-Fil-A is a large American fast food restaurant chain, having over 2000 restaurants primarily in the united states. Therefore to qualify for the RMP, they must meet all the RMP requirements for all their outlets, which will be inconvenient and expensive. 

Another reason why Chick-Fil-A doesn’t qualify for the RMP is that they don’t serve low-cost meals. The cheapest meal you can get at a Chick-Fil-A at the time of writing will cost you $4.15. So this disqualifies the restaurant from being part of the RMP program.

Also, Chick-Fil-A mostly serves takeaway meals and there is little provision for dining facilities on the premises. 

But Hey! don’t be disappointed or sad or because Chick-Fil-A doesn’t accept EBT, you can still enjoy a tasty spicy chicken with your EBT card as there are a lot of other similar restaurants that accept EBT cards. 

Restaurants That Accept EBT Card

The rule says only restaurants registered under the RMP can accept EBT cards. Here are some restaurants that pass the requirements tests and accept EBT. 

– Dominos Pizza 

– Taco Bells 

– KFC 

– Papa John’s Pizza

– Subway

– Wendy’s

– Popeye’s etc 

The list goes on and on as thousands of fast-food restaurants are registered under the RMP. You should check for the states that are part of the RMP program. This goes without saying that, only four US states are part of the RMP program. These four states include; Michigan, Rhode Island, California, and Arizona. 

But you should know that out of these above-mentioned states, only Arizona allows the program statewide. In California, only seventeen counties operate the program and only two counties in Rhode Island operate the program. 

Who Is Eligible To Use EBT Card In Restaurants?

The EBT is generally meant to run through grocery stores, but the government understands that circumstances have placed some people in a situation where they can not easily cook a meal at home, therefore the reason for introducing the RMP program is so that restaurants can cater to such people. 

Such people include;

– People who are disabled permanently or approved to receive retirement benefits 

– People aged 60 years and above 

– A spouse of an eligible person

Note that even if you fit any of these profiles, your eligibility still depends on your state is a participant in the RMP program, and must qualify for the SNAP benefits.

How To Get An EBT Card

There are two ways you can apply for an EBT card. It’s either you apply online, or you apply in person. The easiest way to apply is online. To apply online, first of all, you’ll have to check if you are eligible. Log on to the web, and view the SNAP eligibility charts to find out the guidelines that apply to you or your household. 

If you are eligible, then proceed to the website DTAConnect.com where you’ll be asked to fill out a form by providing some information about yourself that will allow the government to determine if you are truly eligible for the card. 

This form will require you to provide information like your social security number (if you have one) date of birth, home address(if you have one), income, and expenses. 

If you are found eligible, you will get your card and it will be credited within twenty-four hours after the application. 

But if you would rather apply in person, then you should search for SNAP offices in your area, and find your way there.

How To Use Your EBT Card At A Restaurant

It is pretty simple to use your EBT card. It’s just the same way you use it at the grocery stores. The restaurant must provide a point of sale machine at the check-out counter mainly for EBT card transactions. 

When you have received your order and are ready to pay, you simply go to the counter and hand your EBT card to the cashier who will in turn insert the card into the machine. After the card has been inserted into the machine, you will punch in your password, and then a receipt will be printed for you. This receipt will show what you have spent, and also your balance.

If your card declines, it simply means that you have an insufficient balance, or it could be a network issue.

CONCLUSION

Chick-Fil-A doesn’t accept EBT cards because it does not qualify to be registered under the RMP program but that doesn’t mean that those who are eligible to use the EBT card under the RMP services cannot enjoy a well-cooked meal from a fast-food restaurant, as there are a lot of other options to turn to.

Does Chick-Fil-A Take EBT? -Know more

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