The food stamp program, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), restricts beneficiaries from purchasing “hot foods” or cooked foods. Beneficiaries are normally unable to use their food stamp EBT (electronic benefits transfer) cards in restaurants.
However, tough times have changed the situation. Under the Restaurant Meals Program of the L.A. County Department of Social Services, roughly 500 restaurants within the area can now accept EBT cards.
History of Restaurant Meals Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) authorized the use of food stamps in restaurants under the Restaurant Meals Program as early as 1974. This was for elderly and disabled people who could not cook meals on their own. As of 1992, the Restaurant Meals Program was extended to homeless people who had no access to kitchens and storage facilities.
The Restaurant Meals Program is a voluntary segment of SNAP. States have the option to participate or not. As of 2004, almost half the country had a Restaurant Meals Program, although few restaurants actually participated in the program.
Changing times
With the advent of EBTs and an increasing number of struggling families and individuals, more restaurants are now participating in the Restaurant Meals Program. In L.A. County, even fast-food chains accept food stamp EBT cards. Popular restaurants within the area that accept EBTs include Dominos, El Polo Loco, Jack-in-the-Box, Subway, Papa John’s, Popeye’s and KFC.
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