The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, provides low-income households with Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to purchase food. A common question is whether SNAP EBT cards can be used to buy hot or prepared foods, as many recipients face barriers to cooking at home. Generally, SNAP regulations prohibit purchasing hot foods, but exceptions like the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) and temporary disaster waivers allow it in specific cases.
This article explores the rules, exceptions, and state-specific details, including California’s CalFresh program, as of August 22, 2025, while addressing the impact of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBBA) signed on July 4, 2025.
General SNAP Rules on Hot Food Purchases
SNAP benefits are primarily intended for grocery purchases to prepare meals at home. According to the USDA, EBT cards cannot be used to buy:
- Hot foods at the point of sale (e.g., rotisserie chicken, deli soups).
- Food intended for immediate consumption in stores (e.g., hot pizza slices).
- Non-food items (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, pet food, household supplies).
Eligible foods include staple items like breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, and seeds/plants for home gardening. These restrictions aim to maximize nutritional value and stretch benefits for home use. However, the prohibition on hot foods has been criticized as limiting for those without cooking facilities, such as the homeless or elderly.
Impact of “Big Beautiful Bill”
The OBBBA introduces $186 billion in SNAP cuts through 2034, including stricter work requirements and immigrant eligibility restrictions starting October 2026. While these changes do not directly alter hot food rules, they may reduce RMP participation by limiting SNAP enrollment (e.g., 645,000 Californians at risk), affecting access to hot meals for eligible groups.
Exceptions Allowing Hot Food Purchases with EBT
Despite the general prohibition, SNAP allows hot food purchases under specific programs and circumstances:
Restaurant Meals Program (RMP)
The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is a state-optional program allowing certain SNAP recipients to use EBT cards at participating restaurants for prepared or hot meals. It targets those unable to cook due to age, disability, or homelessness. As of 2025, nine states participate: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Virginia.
RMP Eligibility
To qualify for RMP, all household members must be:
- Elderly (60 or older).
- Disabled (including spouses in some cases, e.g., Maryland).
- Homeless (lacking a fixed residence, including temporary shelters).
Eligibility is automatically verified at the point of sale (POS) via EBT systems, with no separate application required. In California, counties determine participation, and eligible CalFresh recipients are notified via the ebtEDGE app or county offices.
RMP Benefits
- Discounted Meals: Participating restaurants offer at least a 10% discount on eligible menu items (e.g., New York requires this).
- Interstate Use: Eligible recipients can use EBT at RMP restaurants in other participating states (e.g., a Maryland recipient can buy meals in Virginia).
- No Sales Tax: Restaurants cannot charge sales or meal tax on EBT purchases, though cash benefits are taxable.
Participating Restaurants
Restaurants must be authorized by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and located in participating counties. Examples include fast-food chains (e.g., Subway, KFC, McDonald’s in some states) and local delis. In California, restaurants sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the county and use POS equipment with PIN pads. For a list, check state SNAP websites (e.g., www.ebtproject.ca.gov for California) or call county offices.
Temporary Disaster Waivers
In response to natural disasters, the USDA may issue temporary waivers allowing all SNAP recipients to buy hot foods at authorized retailers. Examples include:
- Hurricane Helene (North Carolina, 2024): SNAP recipients in all 100 counties could buy hot foods until November 3, 2024, at EBT retailers like grocery store delis (not restaurants).
- California Wildfires (2025): All CalFresh recipients in San Diego County can purchase hot foods at authorized retailers until February 8, 2025, due to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration.
These waivers address situations where power outages or displacement prevent home cooking. Retailers must be USDA-authorized, and recipients should confirm with stores before purchasing.
State-Specific Rules: California’s CalFresh and RMP
In California, the CalFresh program administers SNAP benefits, and the RMP allows eligible recipients (elderly, disabled, homeless) to buy hot meals at participating restaurants in select counties. Key details:
- Participating Counties: Not all counties participate; check www.ebtproject.ca.gov for a list or contact county offices (www.cdss.ca.gov/county-offices).
- Restaurant Requirements: Restaurants must be in participating counties, sign an MOU, and obtain USDA authorization (Form FNS-252-2). They must offer a 10% discount and use EBT-compatible POS systems.
- Eligibility Verification: CalFresh recipients are automatically flagged as RMP-eligible via POS systems. If ineligible, transactions are denied with an error code.
- Impact of OBBBA: SNAP cuts may reduce CalFresh enrollment by 645,000, limiting RMP access. Immigrant restrictions (effective October 2026) could exclude 60,000–125,000 noncitizens, reducing eligible households.
How to Use EBT for Hot Food Purchases
- Check Eligibility: Confirm RMP eligibility via your SNAP caseworker, ebtEDGE app, or county office (e.g., 1-877-847-3663 for CalFresh).
- Find Participating Restaurants: Visit state SNAP websites (e.g., www.ebtproject.ca.gov for California) or call 1-800-997-2222 (Maryland) for lists.
- Verify EBT Balance: Use the ebtEDGE app, call 1-888-356-3281 (Florida), or check at POS/ATMs.
- Purchase Meals: Use your EBT card like a debit card at authorized restaurants. Receive a receipt showing the meal cost and remaining balance.
- Disaster Waivers: In disaster-affected areas, confirm with retailers (e.g., grocery delis) if hot food purchases are allowed under temporary waivers.
Challenges and Criticisms
- Limited RMP Availability: Only nine states offer RMP, and participation is county-specific, limiting access for many SNAP recipients.
- Hot Food Restrictions: Critics argue the ban on hot foods is arbitrary, as frozen meals can be purchased but not prepared foods like deli salads. A 2021 bill by Reps. Grace Meng and Bobby Rush to allow hot food purchases failed to pass.
- Administrative Burdens: The OBBBA’s work requirements and biannual verifications (starting 2026) may reduce SNAP enrollment, limiting RMP eligibility.
- Fraud Risks: Some stores bypass rules by ringing up hot foods as cold, risking fines. SNAP recipients should avoid unauthorized purchases to prevent penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you buy hot food with EBT?
Generally, no, but the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) in nine states (e.g., California, Arizona) allows eligible SNAP recipients (elderly, disabled, homeless) to buy hot meals at participating restaurants. Temporary disaster waivers may also permit hot food purchases.
Which states allow hot food purchases with EBT?
Arizona, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Virginia offer the RMP. Check state SNAP websites for participating restaurants.
How do I know if I’m eligible for RMP?
You qualify if your SNAP household includes elderly (60+), disabled, or homeless members. Eligibility is verified automatically at POS. Contact your SNAP office (e.g., 1-877-847-3663 for CalFresh) or check the ebtEDGE app.
Can I buy hot food during a disaster?
Yes, in areas with USDA waivers (e.g., California wildfires until February 8, 2025), all SNAP recipients can buy hot foods at authorized retailers. Confirm with stores first.
How will the “Big Beautiful Bill” affect hot food purchases?
The bill’s SNAP cuts ($186 billion) and immigrant restrictions (October 2026) may reduce RMP eligibility by limiting SNAP enrollment, affecting 645,000 Californians.
Conclusion
SNAP EBT cards generally cannot be used for hot food purchases, except through the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) in nine states, including California, for elderly, disabled, or homeless recipients, or during temporary disaster waivers (e.g., California wildfires until February 8, 2025). The “Big Beautiful Bill” may limit RMP access by reducing SNAP enrollment. Check eligibility and participating restaurants via state SNAP websites (e.g., www.ebtproject.ca.gov) or county offices (www.cdss.ca.gov/county-offices). Use the SNAP Eligibility Calculator to estimate CalFresh eligibility, which may impact RMP access.