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SNAP gives eligible low-income households extra food-purchasing assistance to supplement food budgets. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered at the state level, SNAP benefits can only be used to purchase eligible items.
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According to the USDA, EBT cards, which are linked to SNAP accounts, can only be used to purchase:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat and fish
- Dairy
- Breads and cereals
- Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
- Seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat
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Generally, food that is hot when sold or food that is sold to be eaten in the store cannot be purchased with your EBT card. This also rules out rotisserie chicken and prepared deli foods. However, you may be able to purchase a hot meal at a restaurant using your SNAP benefits if your state participates in the Restaurant Meals Program.
The RMP is a state option that allows particular SNAP recipients who might not be able to prepare a meal for themselves to buy prepared meals at restaurants with their SNAP benefits.
The SNAP recipient must reside in a state with the RMP, and all members of the household must meet at least one of the following eligibility criteria:
- 60 years of age or older
- Disabled
- Homeless
- The spouse of a SNAP recipient who is eligible for RMP
Currently, only seven states participate in RMP, including, Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island and Virginia. However, not all counties offer RMP, and not every restaurant participates in the program.
If you’re eligible to use your SNAP benefits at restaurants, make sure to call ahead to check whether or not that location accepts EBT cards as payment for meals.
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The waiver approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has expired.
From August 30, 2021, through October 28, 2021, Louisiana recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) and the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) Program could use their benefits to purchase "hot" or prepared foods and any retailer that accepted EBT cards.
The waiver assisted residents displaced by Hurricane Ida that had no access to a kitchen to prepare meals.
211
211 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects callers to information about critical health and human services available in their community. It's single access point for details about food pantries and other food assistance sources near you. Learn more about the 211 Louisiana Statewide Network |
Restaurant Meals is a CalFresh Program that allows you to use your Golden State Advantage (EBT) card to purchase prepared meals from participating restaurants. This program is available to you, if you meet one of the following conditions:
- Homeless
- Elderly - age 60 years or older and his/her spouse (husband, wife, common-law husband, common-law wife)
- Disabled and his/her spouse (husband, wife, common-law husband, common-law wife) - Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits; Railroad Retirement Benefit Annuities; or Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI).
Purchasing Meals Is As Easy As 1 – 2 – 3
1. Look for participating restaurants (updated August 2022) displaying the Restaurant Meals sign (below), or ask your Eligibility Worker for a list of participating restaurants.
2. Purchase breakfast, lunch, and dinner from participating restaurants by using your Golden State Advantage (EBT) card.
3. Receive a receipt for each meal purchase to show the cost of your meal and the balance on your Golden State Advantage (EBT) CalFresh benefits account.
Look for participating restaurants displaying this sign: