SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, have helped millions of low-income Americans put food on their table through the purchase of basic food necessities deemed to be SNAP-eligible items. 

The U.S. Agriculture Department identified SNAP-eligible items to be fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, bread, cereals, snack foods, seed, plants, and other non-alcoholic beverages. 

Beer, wine, liquor, and tobacco products are not allowed for purchase using SNAP benefits. In addition, vitamins and other supplements are also ineligible. 

Usually, food that is hot at the point of sale is not allowed to be bought using the SNAP benefits payments. 

However, the Restaurant Meals Program allows SNAP benefits recipients to buy hot meals in participating states or areas. 

SNAP benefits recipients can buy meals at certain fast food restaurants using their Electronic Benefits Transfer card. 

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Using SNAP Benefits in Fast Food Restaurants

SNAP benefits can be used in certain Burger King franchises. The burger mogul accepts EBT cards in Arizona and California. 

The $188 billion-multinational fast food chain McDonald's also offers its menu to SNAP benefits recipients. 

SNAP Benefits can be used to buy McDonald's famous Big Mac in the states of Arizona, California, and Michigan. 

Aside from the two fast food restaurants known for their burgers, Domino also offers their menu to SNAP benefits recipients. Domino accepts EBT card payments in the states of Arizona and California. 

KFC, a restaurant that specializes in fried chicken and prides itself on its 11 herbs and spices, also accepts EBT card payments. 

SNAP benefits recipients in Arizona and California can buy from KFC franchises. Meanwhile, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Virginia also offer the same program in certain cities and counties in the states. 

SNAP Benefits Restaurant Meal Program

SNAP Restaurant Meals Program has seven participating states in the project. These states are Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Virginia. 

To be able to participate in RMP, SNAP beneficiaries must first be certified in a state that has the program. 

In addition, participants must be elderly, those who are 60 years of age or older. Disabled recipients can also participate in RMP, especially those receiving disability or blindness payments or disability retirement benefits from a federal government agency. 

Those who are homeless can also participate in the RMP, as well as the spouse of a SNAP client who is eligible for the RMP. 

Each state can have its own set of requirements for choosing the number and which restaurants can be part of the RMP. 

States should prove to the Agriculture Department that some high-needs residents are not well-served by the traditional SNAP benefits payments. 

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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