Where can disabled adults use CalFresh EBT for hot prepared meals in 2025?

Yes, the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is specifically for elderly (60+), disabled, and homeless CalFresh recipients. In Sacramento County, participating places include: Subway, certain Denny's locations, some Jack in the Box restaurants, and select 7-Eleven stores that have hot food counters. Two important things to know: 1. Your father needs the special RMP designation on his EBT card - if he doesn't have it, contact the county to request enrollment 2. Not all locations of these chains participate, even if they're on the list Your best bet is to check the BenefitsCal app which should have the most updated list. The county websites are notoriously outdated.

my mom uses hers at dennys and burger king but it depends on which ones some dont do it even tho there suppose to. always emabarassing when they tell u no at the register lol

I work with CalFresh recipients, and the Restaurant Meals Program can be confusing because participation varies so much by location. As of January 2025, Sacramento County's program includes: - Most Subway locations - About 60% of Denny's restaurants - Select Jack in the Box (mainly in South Sac and Elk Grove) - Some Popeyes locations - Many independent restaurants (mostly in South Sac and downtown) Also important: grocery stores with deli sections that sell hot food (like Raley's and some Safeways) can accept EBT for hot food if the person has RMP eligibility. This is often overlooked! Call the county at 916-874-3100 to request their updated 2025 list - they should mail or email you one.

Have you tried using Claimyr to reach the Sacramento County office? I was having the same issue trying to get updated RMP information last month. Called like 15 times and kept getting disconnected. Someone on here recommended Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me through to a real person in about 10 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. The worker I spoke with emailed me the most current list of RMP vendors right away.

dont forget taco bell!! i use mine there all the time and im on SSI. you have to ask for the manager sometimes cuz new employees dont know about the program lol

This is actually a really important topic that doesn't get enough attention. The Restaurant Meals Program was expanded in California in 2023-2024, and the new rules for 2025 allow more establishments to join. But counties are terrible at keeping their vendor lists updated. If your father has any other limitations besides his disability (like difficulty with transportation), make sure to mention this when discussing with his county worker. There are additional accommodations they can provide, such as home-delivered prepared meals in some cases. Also, some participating grocery stores have special "RMP approved" labels on their hot food sections, which makes it easier to identify what's eligible without having to ask staff (who often don't know the rules). Raley's and SaveMart are usually good about this labeling.

THE WHOLE EBT SYSTEM IS A MESS!! I've been on CalFresh for 3 years and the RMP program is the WORST part of it. Half the places listed don't actually participate, employees don't know how it works, and some places that DO accept it aren't even on the county lists! I got so fed up last month that I filed a formal complaint with the state. Been waiting 6 WEEKS for a response. Meanwhile my disabled grandmother is stuck eating cold food because we're afraid to try using her EBT for hot meals after being humiliated at restaurants TWICE!!

Update: We tried Denny's last night (the one on Howe Ave) and it worked! My dad was so happy to have a hot meal out. The server seemed very familiar with the RMP program and said they get a lot of customers using it. We're going to try Raley's deli counter next. Thanks everyone for your help!

Just wanted to add that if anyone is having trouble with the BenefitsCal app (it can be glitchy), you can also text "FOOD" to 877877 to get a link to current RMP locations near you. It's run by the state and usually more up-to-date than printed lists. Also, many Pizza Hut locations in Sacramento County participate now - they added this in late 2024 but it's not widely known yet. My neighbor uses her RMP benefits there regularly.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share what I learned recently - if your dad likes Chinese food, several local Chinese restaurants in Sacramento participate in RMP but aren't always on the official lists. Golden Dragon on Stockton Blvd and China Wall on Freeport both accept EBT for hot meals. I discovered this by accident when I saw someone else using their EBT card there! The staff knew exactly how to process it. Also, some gas stations with hot food counters (like certain Arco AM/PM locations) participate too, which can be convenient for quick hot meals. It's frustrating how scattered the information is, but word-of-mouth from other EBT users has been more helpful than any official source.

This thread has been so helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation with my elderly mother who has mobility issues. One thing I wanted to add is that some McDonald's locations in Sacramento do participate in RMP, but you have to specifically ask for a manager because regular employees often don't know about it. The one on Florin Road near 65th Street definitely accepts it - I used it there last week without any issues. Also, for anyone struggling with the phone system, I've found that calling right when they open (8 AM) gives you the best chance of getting through. The lines get jammed later in the day. And if you do get through, ask them to email you the vendor list instead of mailing it - it's faster and you can save it on your phone to reference when you're out. One last tip: some participating restaurants will have a small "EBT Accepted" sticker near their entrance or register, but it's not always obvious. Don't be afraid to ask before ordering - most places are understanding about it, especially if you explain it's for the Restaurant Meals Program.