CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program eligibility with Medicare disability - do I qualify?

The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) through CalFresh has specific eligibility requirements. Just receiving Medicare due to disability doesn't automatically qualify you. To be eligible for RMP, you need to: 1) be receiving CalFresh benefits, 2) be elderly (60+), disabled, or homeless, AND 3) be unable to prepare your own meals. For the disability qualification specifically, you need to receive disability payments like SSI/SSP or SSDI, AND be unable to prepare your meals due to your disability. Your county office needs to verify and approve this status. Not all counties in California offer RMP, so that's another factor.

i got approved for the restaurant thing last year. they made me get a note from my doctor saying i couldnt cook for myself. my disability is back related but the important part was proving i cant cook. medicare itself doesnt matter for this program.

Just be aware that even if you qualify, the Restaurant Meals Program is NOT available in every county in California. I qualify with my disability but my county doesn't participate in the program so I can't use my EBT at restaurants. It's SO frustrating. You should check if your county even participates before going through all the trouble. Also, not every restaurant accepts EBT even in participating counties.

Los Angeles County does participate in the Restaurant Meals Program! I help clients navigate CalFresh benefits, and LA has one of the more established RMP programs. To qualify, you'll need to: 1. Get verification from your doctor that you cannot prepare meals due to your disability 2. Submit this to your CalFresh worker 3. They'll code your EBT card to allow restaurant purchases The medical verification doesn't have a specific form, but should explain how your disability prevents you from preparing meals. Once approved, your EBT card will work at participating restaurants (McDonald's, Subway, some Denny's, etc.). Not all restaurants participate, so check before ordering.

I went thru this whole process and got denied even tho I have severe arthritis AND Medicare disability!!! The county worker said I didn't prove i couldn't prepare ANY foods. Like apparently I need to be completely unable to make ANYTHING, not just have difficulty. The whole thing is ridiculous tbh.

When I was trying to reach my CalFresh worker about this exact issue last year, I kept hitting dead ends with the phone system. I found a service called Claimyr that helped me skip the phone queue. You just go to claimyr.com and they get you connected to a real person at the county office. Saved me hours of waiting and transfers. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. My doctor provided a letter about my disability preventing meal prep, and once I actually got through to someone, the process went pretty smoothly.

Yes! I did get approved after using Claimyr to connect with an actual worker. The key was getting through to someone who could tell me exactly what the doctor's note needed to say. They told me it needed to specifically state that my disability prevents me from: standing long enough to prepare meals, safely using kitchen tools, and/or lifting cooking items. Once my doctor included those specific points, I was approved within a week. It made a huge difference in my life.

To answer your earlier question - you don't need to wait for recertification. You can request the Restaurant Meals Program designation at any time during your certification period. Just submit the doctor's verification and request the RMP addition to your case. Once approved, they'll update your EBT card to work at participating restaurants, which you can view on the county website. Also, you can add this even if you're in the middle of your certification period.

I'm glad you found this thread helpful! As someone who's been through the CalFresh system, I wanted to add that you should also ask your county worker about any local food pantries or meal delivery programs for disabled individuals while you're waiting for the RMP approval. Some counties have partnerships with organizations that can provide prepared meals during the application process. Also, keep copies of everything you submit - the doctor's note, your application for RMP, etc. Sometimes paperwork gets lost in the system and you'll need to resubmit. Good luck with your application!

I've been helping people navigate CalFresh for years, and one thing I want to emphasize is that the Restaurant Meals Program approval can sometimes take a few weeks to process even after you submit everything. Don't get discouraged if it's not immediate! Also, once you do get approved, make sure to call ahead to restaurants before going - even participating locations sometimes have issues with their EBT systems or staff who aren't familiar with the program. I always recommend having a backup plan like keeping some easy-to-prepare foods at home (crackers, peanut butter, etc.) for days when your disability flares up but you can't get to a participating restaurant. The program is a lifesaver when it works, but having multiple options helps ensure you don't go hungry during any gaps or technical issues.

I went through this process in San Diego County last year and want to share a few additional tips that helped me. First, when you get your doctor's note, ask them to include specific examples of kitchen tasks you can't do safely - mine mentioned I can't lift pots with water, can't stand at the stove for more than a few minutes, and can't grip knives safely. Second, if you're denied initially, you can appeal! I was denied first time because my doctor's note wasn't specific enough, but I appealed with a more detailed letter and got approved. Also, once you're approved, download the "Fresh EBT" app - it shows you exactly which restaurants near you accept EBT for the program. Some unexpected places participate, like certain gas station delis. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me from submitting the doctor's note to getting my card updated. It's been a game changer for my quality of life, especially on bad pain days.