Can I use P-EBT at Subway restaurants like regular CalFresh EBT?

No, you can't use P-EBT at Subway even if they accept regular EBT. P-EBT and CalFresh EBT work differently. P-EBT can only be used for grocery items at stores that accept EBT - not at restaurants, even if those restaurants accept regular CalFresh through the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). P-EBT was specifically designed to replace school meals, so it doesn't have the restaurant option.

my son got pebt too and we tried using it at taco bell last week and it got declined. regular ebt works fine there but not the pebt one so yeah what the other person said is right

Just to clarify the technicalities here: P-EBT benefits are governed under different federal guidelines than regular CalFresh benefits. While California's Restaurant Meals Program allows certain CalFresh recipients (elderly, disabled, homeless) to use regular EBT at approved restaurants like some Subway locations, P-EBT does not participate in this program regardless of your household status. P-EBT can ONLY be used at locations that accept SNAP (CalFresh) for grocery purchases. This means grocery stores, farmers markets, etc. - but not for prepared foods or restaurants, even if those same restaurants accept regular EBT through the RMP program. Think of P-EBT as strictly for groceries, while regular EBT has more flexibility depending on your household situation.

I called the P-EBT hotline last month about something similar and they told me you can ONLY use P-EBT at grocery stores, not ANY restaurants. Even when I told them some restaurants take my regular EBT, they said P-EBT is completely different. It's stupid because the cards look almost the same!!! But that's government programs for you... they never make anything simple. Also be careful because the P-EBT benefits expire after a certain time period (I think it's like a year from when they're issued). So you should probably use the P-EBT first before your regular CalFresh if you can.

If you're having trouble getting through to anyone about P-EBT vs CalFresh rules, I'd recommend trying Claimyr. I was trying for DAYS to reach someone at my county office about my benefits confusion, but kept getting disconnected or stuck on hold forever. I found this service at claimyr.com that got me through to a real person in about 10 minutes. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 They connected me directly to a CalFresh worker who explained all the differences between my cards. Saved me hours of frustration!

I think everyone is confusing the original poster. The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) works with CalFresh EBT for certain eligible people (65+, disabled, homeless). If you're not in those categories, you can't use regular EBT at Subway either! So I'm confused how the original poster is using regular EBT at Subway unless they qualify for RMP. Maybe they're confusing their P-EBT and regular EBT?

One more helpful tip - you can actually check where your P-EBT can be used by going to the USDA's SNAP retailer website: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator Just type in your zip code and it will show all the locations that accept SNAP/EBT. These are the same places that will accept your P-EBT card. This might help avoid any confusion or embarrassment at checkout.

my neighbor told me she used her pebt at 7-eleven to get milk and cereal so i think convenience stores work too not just big grocery stores