Can CalFresh EBT be used at Denny's? Tips allowed?

hey so denys does accept ebt but ONLY if they have a "restaurant meals program" sticker in the window!! not all locations participate. its part of the restaurant meals program (RMP) for ppl who are homeless, elderly or disabled. if ur not in 1 of those categorys ur ebt wont work there sorry

The previous commenter is correct, but I want to clarify a few things about the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). This program allows certain CalFresh recipients to purchase prepared food at approved restaurants. To qualify, your household must include someone who is: - 60 years or older - Disabled (receiving disability benefits) - Homeless - The spouse of a qualifying member You would need to have an EBT card specifically marked for RMP eligibility. Also, regarding tips - EBT cannot be used for tips, service charges, or delivery fees. You would need to pay those separately with cash or another payment method. If you don't qualify for RMP, remember that regular CalFresh benefits can only be used for unprepared foods at grocery stores, farmers markets, and similar retailers.

RMP is NOT available to all CalFresh recipients! I spent 2 hours on hold with the county last month trying to figure this out. The Restaurant Meals Program is only for those who are elderly (60+), disabled, homeless, or the spouse of someone who qualifies. To use it, your household must first qualify for one of those categories. If you do, your EBT card gets specially coded to allow restaurant purchases. Also, even if you qualify, only certain restaurants participate - and it varies by county. I used Claimyr.com to skip the phone wait and speak to a worker about this directly (they have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8). The worker confirmed everything and sent me a list of participating restaurants in my county.

To address your original question about tips - EBT cards (even RMP-eligible ones) cannot be used to pay tips. The CalFresh benefit can only cover the cost of eligible food items, not any additional services. When using an RMP-eligible EBT card at an approved restaurant, you'll need to pay the tip separately with cash or another payment method. I'd also like to add that while restaurant meals aren't typically covered by regular CalFresh benefits, your EBT dollars go much further when purchasing groceries to prepare at home. The restaurant markup on food is substantial - you might consider a special home-cooked breakfast as an alternative treat for your children that would cost less and allow your benefits to stretch further.

I TRIED TO USE MY EBT AT DENNYS LAST YEAR AND THEY REFUSED IT!!!! The manager was SO RUDE and everyone was staring at me. Later found out only certain locations accept it and ONLY for certain people. The whole system is designed to embarrass us!!!

FYI - For anyone who wants to check if a restaurant near them participates in RMP, there's no central database you can check online. Each county maintains their own list of participating restaurants. You need to contact your county office to get the current list. Also, some counties in California don't even participate in the Restaurant Meals Program at all! It's not available statewide.

Just to add some context on why the Restaurant Meals Program exists - it was created specifically to help people who might not have the ability to store or prepare food. For example, someone who is homeless might not have access to a kitchen, or an elderly person might have physical limitations that make cooking difficult. That's why the program has specific eligibility requirements and isn't available to all CalFresh recipients. The goal is to ensure these vulnerable populations have access to prepared meals when cooking isn't feasible for them.

Just wanted to share another option for treating your kids to a special breakfast! Many grocery stores sell pancake and waffle mixes that are EBT eligible, and you can get creative with toppings like fresh fruit, whipped cream, or even chocolate chips. I've found that making "restaurant-style" breakfasts at home with my kids is actually more fun because they can help cook and customize their own plates. Plus, the money you save can go toward other treats or necessities. The homemade pancake breakfast idea someone mentioned sounds perfect - your kids will probably love it even more than Denny's!