Can P-EBT cards be used at restaurants that accept regular EBT? Different rules confusing me

P-EBT and regular CalFresh EBT have different rules for restaurant use. With regular CalFresh EBT, only certain qualifying individuals (elderly, disabled, or homeless) can use their benefits at approved Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) locations. P-EBT is designed specifically for purchasing groceries to replace school meals, so it generally can't be used at restaurants, even if they accept regular EBT. The P-EBT card works at any grocery store, supermarket, or farmers market that accepts EBT, but not at restaurants. Hope that helps clarify!

it depends where u live, my frend uses her p-ebt at mcdonalds all the time but were in LA county which has the restaurant program thing. sum countys dont have it i think

I was SO confused about this too when we first got P-EBT! The short answer is NO - you cannot use P-EBT at restaurants even if they accept regular EBT. P-EBT is only for grocery stores, farmers markets, and places that sell food to prepare at home. The restaurant option only applies to regular CalFresh EBT and only in certain counties for certain people (seniors, disabled, homeless). I learned this the hard way when I tried to use it at a Subway that had the EBT sign and got declined. Super embarrassing!!!

One important thing to note: P-EBT benefits and regular CalFresh EBT are completely separate programs with different rules, even though the cards look similar. P-EBT was created specifically to help families with children who would have received free/reduced school meals. It can ONLY be used at grocery stores and markets that sell food to prepare at home. Regular CalFresh EBT has the Restaurant Meals Program in some counties, but that program is ONLY for people who are elderly (60+), disabled, or homeless who have active CalFresh cases. And even then, only at officially approved restaurants that have signed up for the program. If you try to use P-EBT at a restaurant, it will be declined. You can use your P-EBT card at: - Grocery stores - Supermarkets - Farmers markets - Online grocery retailers that accept EBT (Walmart, Amazon, etc.) - Corner stores and small markets that accept EBT Hope this helps!

Ugh dealing with county offices to get clear answers on this is IMPOSSIBLE! I spent almost THREE HOURS on hold last month trying to ask this exact question and never got through. The phone system kept disconnecting me. So frustrating when you just need a simple answer about how to use your benefits!

Let me clarify the P-EBT vs. EBT Restaurant Meals Program confusion since there's some misinformation here: 1. P-EBT (Pandemic EBT) was created to help families with children who would normally receive free/reduced school meals. These benefits can ONLY be used at retailers that sell groceries. 2. Regular CalFresh EBT has the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) in certain counties, but ONLY for people who are: - 60 years or older - Disabled - Homeless - AND have an active CalFresh case 3. Even if you qualify for RMP with your regular EBT, your P-EBT card follows different rules and cannot be used at restaurants. 4. You can check your P-EBT balance and transaction history at www.ebt.ca.gov or by calling the number on the back of your card. The 2025 P-EBT benefits are specifically designed to supplement grocery purchases, not restaurant meals. Hope this helps!

my kid got p-ebt 2 and its confusing cuz the card looks almost the same as my calfresh card!! but ya cant use it at mcdonalds or anywhere like that even tho they might have the ebt sign. i tried once at jack in box and it didnt work. wish they would make it more clear on the instuctions they send!!