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?