Can P-EBT be used for hot prepared meals like regular CalFresh with RMP?
Hi everyone, I just got my P-EBT card in the mail for my kids (finally!). I already use my regular CalFresh EBT at this restaurant near us that participates in the Restaurant Meals Program. The owner knows me and mentioned I could use my regular EBT there but wasn't sure about P-EBT. Can I use both cards at RMP restaurants or is P-EBT only for grocery stores? I'm confused about the difference between the two programs when it comes to hot prepared meals. Thanks for any help!
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Gemma Andrews
No, P-EBT and regular CalFresh EBT have different rules. P-EBT benefits can ONLY be used to purchase groceries at authorized retailers like grocery stores and farmers markets. It cannot be used for hot prepared meals through the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), even if your regular CalFresh EBT card works there. P-EBT was specifically designed as a replacement for school meals, so it follows the standard SNAP restrictions without the RMP exception.
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Lena Schultz
•Ugh that's disappointing but makes sense. Thanks for explaining! I've been trying to stretch our food budget by using the RMP on busy school nights. So I'll just keep using my regular CalFresh at the restaurant and save the P-EBT for groceries.
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Pedro Sawyer
i tried using my p-ebt at jack in box last month and it got denied so def doesn't work for hot food... but regular ebt works fine there with that restaurant program thing
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Mae Bennett
•Wait, Jack in the Box accepts EBT?? I didn't know fast food places took CalFresh. Is this in all counties or just some? I'm in Alameda and never heard of this before!
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Beatrice Marshall
To clarify what others have said - P-EBT and regular CalFresh EBT are governed by different regulations: 1. Regular CalFresh EBT can be used at RMP-participating restaurants ONLY if you're eligible for the Restaurant Meals Program (homeless, elderly 60+, or disabled). Not all CalFresh recipients qualify for RMP. 2. P-EBT was created to replace school meals during COVID and continues for eligible families, but it can NEVER be used for prepared hot foods regardless of your RMP status. 3. The Restaurant Meals Program is only available in certain counties in California (currently 14 counties participate). So you're correct that you'll need to keep using your regular CalFresh EBT for any restaurant purchases (assuming you qualify for RMP) and use the P-EBT only at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other food retailers.
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Melina Haruko
•My sister got confused about this too and her card got declined when she tried using P-EBT at a restaurant. The cashier was really rude about it too which made it worse. They should make this clearer when they send out the cards!!
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Dallas Villalobos
If you're having trouble reaching the CalFresh office to ask specific questions about your benefits, you might want to try Claimyr. I was stuck in the automated phone system for days trying to get clarification on my P-EBT vs. regular EBT usage rights. Found this service that got me through to a live person in under 5 minutes! They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 that shows how it works. Saved me hours of frustration, and the worker I talked to confirmed exactly what others here are saying - P-EBT is grocery stores only.
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Lena Schultz
•Thanks for sharing this! I've been trying to call my county office about another issue too and keep getting disconnected. I'll check out that video and see if it helps. Appreciate everyone's answers about the P-EBT vs regular EBT difference!
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Reina Salazar
I know this is a bit off topic but does anyone know when they're sending the next round of P-EBT benefits? My kids qualified but we only got the one payment back in February. I thought it was supposed to be monthly?
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Gemma Andrews
•P-EBT isn't monthly - the 2025 distributions follow a quarterly schedule. The next issuance should be around mid-May for the January-March school period, though exact timing varies by county and school district reporting. Check the CDSS website for the official calendar.
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Mae Bennett
I made this EXACT mistake last year and it was so embarrassing!!! Was at Denny's with my kids, tried to use my P-EBT card since my regular CalFresh was low, and it got declined. The waitress told me "you can't use WELFARE here" really loud and everyone stared at us. I wanted to tell her actually my REGULAR EBT would work just fine there but I was too mortified. Now I keep the cards in separate wallet sections so I don't mix them up. But yeah, P-EBT = groceries only, regular CalFresh = both groceries AND restaurants (if you qualify for RMP).
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Lena Schultz
•Ugh, I'm so sorry that happened to you! That's exactly what I was worried about - the embarrassment factor. Thanks for the tip about keeping the cards separate. I'm going to do that too.
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Pedro Sawyer
stupid question maybe but why cant they just make the rules the same for both cards?? its confusing when they work different
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Beatrice Marshall
•It's actually because they're funded by different federal programs with different purposes. Regular CalFresh (SNAP) has the Restaurant Meals Program exception that was created specifically for vulnerable populations who might struggle to prepare meals. P-EBT was created under pandemic legislation specifically to replace school meals children would have received, so it follows the standard SNAP rules without exceptions. I agree it would be less confusing if they worked the same way!
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