Can I use CalFresh EBT at Wendy's? Restaurant Meals Program confusion

What you're looking for is called the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). It's a special CalFresh program that lets certain eligible households use their EBT cards at participating restaurants. To qualify, you or someone in your household must be: - 60 years or older - Disabled (receiving disability benefits) - Homeless - The spouse of an eligible member If you don't fit into one of these categories, that's why your card was declined. Not all counties offer RMP either, though most of the larger California counties do. You'd need to specifically be enrolled in RMP for your EBT card to work at places like Wendy's.

they dont tell u this stuff when u apply smh. i found out by accident when my card worked at subway once. im homeless (living in my car) so i guess thats why mine works at fastfood but nobody explained that to me when i got approved

To add some clarification to what others have said: 1. The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is an optional program counties can choose to implement 2. Currently, the following counties participate: Alameda, Fresno, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Solano 3. Even in these counties, only certain restaurants participate 4. You must meet the eligibility criteria mentioned above AND your EBT card must be specifically coded for RMP access If you believe you should be eligible (homeless, elderly, disabled), you should contact your county CalFresh office to request enrollment in RMP. They'll need to update your case and possibly issue you a new EBT card.

i tryed using my card at mcdonalds and it didnt work either!! so unfair that some ppl get to use it at restaurants and others dont. like why do homeless ppl get extra benefits?? we all struggling to eat

I had the EXACT same experience but at subway!! So embarrassing when my card got declined and people were waiting behind me. The worker had to explain to me that I needed to be in the RMP program. I didn't even know what that was. When I called my county office the wait was over 3 hours and I kept getting disconnected. So frustrating trying to get basic information!

One more thing to note: Regular CalFresh benefits can only be used for grocery items you prepare at home. That's why they work at grocery stores, farmers markets, and some convenience stores, but not for prepared hot foods or restaurant meals unless you're in the RMP program. The official term for regular CalFresh benefits is SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), while the restaurant program (RMP) is a special California option for vulnerable populations. Your regular EBT card will continue to work fine for grocery purchases.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I definitely understand better now. Since I don't qualify for the Restaurant Meals Program, I'll stick to using my EBT for groceries. It still saves me a ton of money each month, so I'm grateful for that. Just wish they explained all these details when you get approved instead of leaving us to figure it out by trial and error!

Just wanted to add that some gas stations and convenience stores also participate in RMP if you're eligible! Places like 7-Eleven, Circle K, and some Shell stations have hot food counters that accept RMP benefits. It's not just sit-down restaurants - you can also get prepared hot meals from these locations if your EBT card is coded for the Restaurant Meals Program. Might be helpful for folks who qualify but don't want to go to traditional fast food places.

Does anyone know if there’s a Wendy's in Sacramento that takes EBT?

I work at a county eligibility office and wanted to clarify something that might help others avoid confusion. When you apply for CalFresh, the system automatically checks if you might be eligible for RMP based on your application information (age, disability status, housing situation). However, even if you qualify, RMP enrollment isn't always automatic - sometimes you need to specifically request it during your interview or recertification. If you think you should qualify for RMP but your card doesn't work at restaurants, definitely call your county office and ask them to review your case. They can check if RMP is available in your county and whether your EBT card needs to be updated with the restaurant access code. It's a simple fix on their end once they verify your eligibility.

I had a similar experience at a Taco Bell in San Diego! The awkward moment when your card gets declined and you're holding up the line is the worst. What I learned is that even though these restaurants display EBT signs, they're specifically for the Restaurant Meals Program participants only. It would be so much clearer if the signs said "RMP EBT Accepted" instead of just "EBT Accepted" - would save a lot of confusion and embarrassment for people like us who have regular CalFresh benefits but don't qualify for restaurant purchases.

I'm new to this community but had to jump in because I just went through the exact same thing last week at a Carl's Jr! I felt so embarrassed when my card got declined and I had to scramble for cash. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the Restaurant Meals Program or that there were different eligibility requirements. It's really frustrating that this information isn't clearly explained when you first get approved for CalFresh. I'm definitely not in any of the qualifying categories (I'm 28 and housed), but at least now I understand why it happened instead of thinking there was something wrong with my card. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it makes me feel less alone in this confusing situation!