Though McDonald’s is considered cheap, it could still not be affordable for those tight on money. And especially, if you have a family that includes little kids, you would want to treat them to a happy meal once in a while. The government of the United States of America has a program called EBT for the benefit of low-income people. Let us know ‘Does McDonald’s Accept EBT Food Stamps Other Restaurants?’.
Does McDonald’s Accept EBT Food Stamps Other Restaurants?
All of those who currently have the EBT card would wonder if McDonald’s is included in the list or not. A one-line answer to this would be yes, though it is included only in a few states.
Use Of EBT
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) technology is a magnetically encoded payment card. Much like a debit card, a state welfare department runs in the United States of America that uses it to issue benefits for those from a low-income stratum of the society.
Everyone once in a while craves the tasty burgers of McDonald’s. In 2004, it expanded its operations to include the entire country. The average payout is $125 per month per participant. The benefits of EBT can be of two types: food or cash.
The food subsidies are distributed by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which was earlier known as the Food Stamp Program. The food benefits are food items and non-alcoholic beverages, government-authorized. The cash benefits are State general assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and refugee benefits.
What Can You Buy From Your EBT Card?
The funds from SNAP are pretty limited. The government’s list stating which food items can be purchased using the card are fruits, vegetables, grains, cereals, meat, fish, poultry, and the likes. The government wants people to use the funds for healthy eating.
Hence, it becomes pretty evident that alcohol, tobacco, food designed for immediate consumption, medicine, and non-food items cannot be purchased using this card. For the complete list, one should check out the list on the federal SNAP website.
Where Can You Use The EBT Card?
Most major grocery stores and supermarkets accept the EBT card. These stores have to meet certain conditions set by the SNAP program. To know if the store is eligible for the program and accepts the EBT cards, you should ask the manager or employee of the store.
Some of the store chains that accept these cards are Costco, Food 4 Less, Friendly Foods, Whole Foods Markets, etc.
Fast-Food Chain Stores That Accept Ebt Cards
Restaurants that accept EBT are:
- Burger King.
- Carl’s Jr.
- Church’s Chicken.
- Del Taco.
- Denny’s.
- Domino’s Pizza.
- Great Steaks.
- Jamba Juice.
Does McDonald’s Accept EBT Cards?
Generally, McDonald’s does not accept government aid, hence most of its stores don’t accept EBT cards. However, if you live in a state that has Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), then you can use your card at McDonald’s.
To increase the benefits of the SNAP recipients, the state had started the RMP program to purchase prepared items at selected restaurants. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, eligible persons are those who are unable to prepare or store food for themselves and do not have permanent housing.
The certain criteria that one has to fulfill in order to be eligible for the RMP scheme are as follows:
- In the RMP eligible state, one must be a SNAP recipient.
- The eligible states are Arizona, California, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Virginia.
- The members of the household must be either 60 years and above, disabled, and the spouse of a SNAP client who is eligible for the RMP.
RMP-eligible people can use their SNAP benefits to buy meals at a McDonald’s if the restaurant is in an RMP-eligible state, has received state permission, and has been approved by the Food and Nutrition Service to take SNAP benefits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, not every state in the United States of America lets you use your EBT at McDonald’s. However, if you live in a state where RMP is available and you satisfy the conditions stated above, then you can use your EBT card for a meal at McDonald’s.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use my EBT card to order online?
From 2020, many states have allowed EBT cardholders to order food online. Some stores even offer home delivery or one can go to the store to pick it up.
- What other benefits can I get from my EBT card?
The EBT card can be used for pretty much everything. From discounted internet services to Amazon Prime access, museum memberships and free college classes, and more.
- What payment options are available at McDonald’s?
You can pay for your meal using several methods like cash, Arch gift cards, Visa, and Mastercard. Also, mobile payments like Google Pay and Apple Pay are accepted.
- Which is the federal agency that runs the SNAP program?
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) runs the SNAP program.
