In general, SNAP recipients are unable to use their Food Stamps on their EBT cards to purchase a hot meal. Some qualifying beneficiaries may be able to do so, though, thanks to an intriguing scheme.
It is the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In actuality, the State offers the opportunity for certain clients who are unable to prepare meals to purchase hot, ready-to-eat meals.
A SNAP participant may not be able to cook for a number of reasons. A beneficiary may occasionally be too old, have a handicap that makes cooking impossible, or lack a location to keep or prepare food.
Keep in mind that some Food Stamp beneficiaries may be homeless at the moment and do not have a permanent home.
Using SNAP benefits to purchase hot food
Some qualifying recipients can use their Food Stamps to purchase cooked meals at approved restaurants under the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program.
You’re probably wondering by now which eligible recipients are eligible for the RMP.
First, you need to be enrolled in a state that has joined the Restaurant Meals Program and have a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program certification. Second, every household member needs to be either:
- A senior who is at least 60 years old and homeless
- An individual with a handicap who receives SSDI payments or disability retirement benefits due to their permanent disability; a spouse of a SNAP participant who qualifies for the Restaurant Meals Program
- You might want to join the RMP if you are a restaurant owner and reside in a state that offers it.
- To provide this benefit, a state must have an RMP, the state must approve it, a signed agreement must be submitted to the Food and Nutrition Service, and the FNS must authorise the program to take Food Stamps.
The SNAP RMP is available in which states?
Only nine states have enrolled in the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Consequently, a large number of others do not present this option. States with authorisation:
- Arizona
- California
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New York
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
Keep in mind that you cannot purchase hot meals if you are not a qualified SNAP recipient of the Restaurant Meals Program. Instead, you can only purchase the following:
- Fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, meat, cereals, and breads
- dairy snacks, such as milk, yoghurt, and cheese
- non-alcoholic drinks, plants to cultivate and consume the produce, and seeds for the same reason as before
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Conversely, SNAP participants are prohibited from purchasing the following items with their Food Stamps:
- any beverages that contain alcohol, medications, vitamins, or supplements
foods for pets - Cosmetics, Personal care products, and paper goods
- Cleaning and domestic goods, Hot foods at the point of sale, unless you are typically eligible for the RMP live animals
