Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is like a debit card to help low-income families and individuals from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP (also known as Food Stamp) assists its low-salary recipients to use this card for grocery purchases from the authorized grocery store. EBT card has worked in all states of the US since 2004, but this card is not acceptable to all local stores and fast food restaurants. However, recipients can use them in some fast food restaurants. Let us know about “Fast Food Restaurants That Accept EBT Near Me”
EBT is a government benefit from the federal account specially designed to pay for groceries rather than other restaurants. But if you want to know whether fast food restaurants can accept EBT or not? You should not worry because fast food restaurants accept EBT with certain conditions. In this article, you will be able to know about the top fast food restaurants that accept EBT and are readily available in a few states of America.
Purpose Of EBT Card
EBT is designed to support those who have low incomes and cannot fulfill their daily food expenses. The purpose of this program is to give relief to the homeless, elderly and disabled or those who are unable to earn due to some reason. Due to this government support, eligible people can purchase any food product except Tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and food ready for consumption.
Top Fast Food Restaurants That Accept EBT
Several fast food restaurants support their customers by accepting EBT. EBT recipients all over the US can take food from these restaurants. The topmost these restaurants are:
Burger King
KFC
McDonald’s
Taco Bell
Jamba Juice
Domino’s Pizza
Rally’s
Denny’s
Pizza Hut
Jack in the Box
Carl’s Jr
Papa Murphy’s
Popeye’s
El Pollo Loco
Dairy Queen
Wendy’s
Blimpie
Apart from these famous fast foods, there are some states in which you can easily use your EBT card to purchase fast food.
How To Find Out Restaurants That Accept EBT?
Under the SNAP Restaurant Meal Program, entitled candidates can purchase food at SNAP-worthy restaurants via their SNAP EBT cards. When you want to check whether the restaurant has an EBT card option or not, you will simply see the signage with the status “Participating Restaurant: SNAP Restaurant Meals Program”. It has the “Fork & Knife” logo shown on the door or window. Similarly, some fast food restaurants have the signboard written: “we accept EBT” or something like that. With these signboards and images, you can know about EBT without asking anyone.
In addition, if you are old and want to know about the list of EBT card-authorized restaurants, you simply call your local SNAP office for the complete guide. You can take the information of your state through SNAP State Directory Resources to find the contact of the restaurants.
The States Eligible For The EBT
If you live in Arizona, California, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Virginia, you can use your EBT card to enjoy fast food. Except for these states, you cannot use your EBT card in other cities or counties even for the same fast food chain. For instance, Burger King accepts EBT in the above-mentioned six states like California and Arizona, but not in other States of the US. Moreover, New York passed a law but yet the federal program didn’t start this program. Similarly, Illinois also passed this law two years back which still needs to be implemented.
Takeaway Option With EBT
As it is mentioned earlier, you can use an EBT card near you only in those states who accept the Restaurants meal program (RMP) from Starbucks, KFC and Papa Murphy’s etc. Some restaurants only offer cold items with EBT purchases, for instance, Subway is one of them. Therefore, most states are working to introduce EBT to fast food restaurants to give benefits they deserve.
Conclusion
EBT is a government benefit given to those who have low incomes to purchase groceries. It was established in 2004 and initially was designed to purchase all food items except tobacco, alcoholic beverages and ready food consumption. But now many well-known fast food restaurants like McDonald’s, KFC, Subway, Burger King and Taco Bell accept EBT cards. Nonetheless, you can only purchase fast food from those states participating in the Restaurant Meals Program. Till now, six US states are authorized to allow their EBT card recipients to buy fast food using it. These states are Arizona, California, Michigan, Virginia, Rhode Island and Maryland. However, if you are not a resident of these states, you will not be able to buy fast food with an EBT card.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is an EBT card accepted on fast food in California?
The resident of California who has a CalFresh EBT or Golden State Advantage card can purchase fast food from authorized restaurants.
- Where can you use an EBT card in Arizona?
You can use Electronic Benefits Transfer or EBT card for all those shops or stores that accept EBT. For instance grocery stores, farmers’ markets and convenience stores etc.
