Can I use my CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) card outside of Los Angeles County?
Hi everyone! I'm on disability and enrolled in the Restaurant Meals Program through CalFresh. I've been using it at approved restaurants here in LA County without any problems, but I'm planning to visit family in Orange County next month and then maybe take a short trip to San Diego later this summer. Does anyone know if my RMP benefits will work at participating restaurants in other counties? Or is it strictly limited to the county where I'm registered? Just trying to figure out if I need to budget differently for these trips. Thanks for any info!
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ElectricDreamer
Yes! The RMP card works in ANY county that participates in the Restaurant Meals Program, not just your home county. I use mine all the time when I travel between LA and San Diego. Just look for the restaurants that have the RMP sign in the window or ask if they accept EBT. Not every county participates though - I think Kern County doesn't have the program yet.
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Dmitry Smirnov
•That's such a relief to hear! Do you know if there's a way to find a list of participating restaurants in other counties before I travel? The LA County website only shows local places.
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Ava Johnson
Actually the previous answer isn't completely right. RMP is county-by-county and each county decides if they want to participate. The main counties that have it are LA, San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Diego, and a few others. Orange County DOES participate in RMP but Kern County doesn't last I checked. But your LA County EBT card will work in any participating county as long as you're approved for RMP. Your card is the same statewide.
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Miguel Diaz
•This is correct. I work for a community org that helps ppl w/benefits. The RMP is active in: Alameda, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties. Your EBT card isn't county-specific, so you can use RMP benefits in any participating county!
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Zainab Ahmed
I'm confused... So if I have RMP in Los Angeles, and I go to a restaurant in San Diego that accepts RMP, my card will work? What about the other way around? If someone from San Diego came to LA would their card work here too? Do you have to do anything special to get it to work in other counties?
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Connor Byrne
•Yes, your LA card will work in San Diego! The RMP eligibility is added to your EBT card itself, not restricted by geography. All EBT cards in California are the same system. The only restriction is that the restaurant must participate in RMP program. So a San Diego resident could use their card at LA restaurants too. You don't need to do anything special - just swipe your card like normal and use your PIN.
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Yara Abboud
i tried using mine in orange county last year and it didnt work. they said it was la county only. maybe things changed??
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Miguel Diaz
•Were you trying to use it at a restaurant that specifically participates in the Restaurant Meals Program? Not all restaurants accept EBT, only ones enrolled in RMP. That's probably what happened - the restaurant you tried wasn't in the program, not that your card wouldn't work in Orange County. Call the restaurant before going to make sure they participate in RMP.
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PixelPioneer
Just wanted to add - I've had major frustration trying to find an up-to-date list of RMP restaurants in different counties. The county websites are often outdated. I've had better luck calling the CalFresh customer service line to check if specific restaurants are participating, but the wait times are ridiculous. I recently discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me through to a real person at the CalFresh office in under 5 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 showing how it works. Saved me hours of waiting and I was able to get an updated list of RMP restaurants in San Diego before my trip there.
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Dmitry Smirnov
•Thanks for this tip! The wait times on the CalFresh line drive me crazy. I'll check out that service before my trip. Did they email you the restaurant list or just tell you over the phone?
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Zainab Ahmed
Another option is to download the "Fresh EBT" app (I think they renamed it to Providers now). It has a map feature that shows RMP restaurants near your location. I've used it while traveling and it's pretty accurate, though sometimes new restaurants aren't added right away. But definitely easier than calling!
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Dmitry Smirnov
•That sounds perfect! I didn't know there was an app for this. Will download it today, thank you!
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Ava Johnson
One thing nobody mentioned - there are different restaurant OPTIONS in different counties. Like San Francisco has some higher-end places that participate compared to LA County. Each county negotiates with different restaurant chains. When I visited my sister in Santa Clara County they had a couple local burger places that accepted RMP that we don't have down here.
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ElectricDreamer
•True! San Diego has some taco shops in the program that are amazing. Way better than the fast food options we mostly have in LA County. I wish LA would expand to more local restaurants.
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Connor Byrne
As others have said, your RMP benefits will work in any participating county. However, remember that your regular CalFresh food benefits and RMP benefits are different. Regular CalFresh can be used at any grocery store statewide that accepts EBT, but RMP is only for those who qualify (seniors, disabled, homeless) and only at participating restaurants. Also, make sure your RMP eligibility is current. Sometimes it can drop off during recertification if the worker doesn't code your case correctly. You can check by calling the number on the back of your EBT card.
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Dmitry Smirnov
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! I just recertified last month so I should be good, but I'll double-check before traveling. For the regular CalFresh benefits, I've used those at grocery stores in other counties without issues.
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