Fast Food Restaurants That Accept EBT In Virginia – The Virginia Department of Social Services addresses the barriers of elderly, disabled and homeless SNAP recipients who were unable to prepare meals due to their condition and is working with The United States Department of Agriculture to enable the recipients to access hot prepared meals using EBT benefits.
Virginia residents who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and wonder which restaurants accept EBT have come to the right place. Our guide will provide an overview of the list of restaurants that are accepting EBT in Virginia and what are the eligibility criteria that you need to fulfill to access hot prepared meals at approved restaurants.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaways
- Virginia’s Restaurant Meals Program (VRMP) is limited.
- Only elderly, disabled, and homeless SNAP recipients can use EBT for hot meals.
- Currently, only Subway accepts EBT in Virginia (listed locations included).
- More restaurants may join VRMP in the future (check for updates).
What Is The Virginia Restaurant Meals Program (VRMP)?
The Virginia Restaurant Meals Program enables households enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program who are elderly( 60 years or above), permanently disabled or experiencing homelessness.
These beneficiaries including their spouses can use the SNAP EBT benefits for the purchase of hot prepared meals at participating restaurants. Individual restaurants have to get approval from USDA Food and Nutrition Service to participate in the Virginia Restaurant Meals Program.
How Can I Find Out If I’m Eligible For The Virginia Restaurant Meals Program?
SNAP recipients can be eligible for the Virginia Restaurant Meals Program if they’re 60 years of age or older, permanently disabled or experiencing homelessness and meet the following conditions:
- Must have a valid Virginia EBT card
- The household must have members who are 60 or older or designated permanently disabled by a government entity or an elderly or disabled individual and his or her spouse
- The household should lack a fixed and regular nighttime residence or be living in a shelter, a place not designed for sleeping or a halfway house. This also includes households temporarily staying in the home of another person for 90 days or less.
You can contact the local Department of Social Service near you to learn the eligibility criteria to participate in the Virginia Restaurant Meals Program. If you are an eligible SNAP recipient in Virginia and meet the aforementioned requirements for the Virginia Restaurant Meals Program then you need not apply for the program separately. You can purchase a meal at participating locations with the help of an EBT card and an authorized PIN.
How Does The Virginia Restaurant Meals Program Work?
Fast food restaurants in Virginia need to seek approval from the United States Department of Agriculture or USDA Food and Nutrition Service to enroll in the Restaurant Meals Program. The restaurants will have VRMP signage displayed at the entrance of the door or window of the restaurant. If you meet the eligibility criteria you have to use the EBT card for purchasing hot meals in the same way you use your EBT card at the authorized grocery store.
You have to swipe your EBT card for a Point-of-Sale device and enter your 4-digit secret PIN. It is important to note that customers will not be charged any tax for their hot-prepared meals. You can also take advantage of any promotions, sales or coupons the restaurant is offering just like any other customer. To know more information about the Virginia Restaurant Meals Program you can contact DSS at [email protected].
Do you know which fast-food chains in Kentucky accept EBT? Find them out in our next guide.
List Of Restaurants That Take EBT In Virginia
The Virginia Department of Social Service has collaborated with the United States Department of Agriculture so that a growing number of restaurants can enroll in the Restaurant Meals Program and help SNAP recipients access hot prepared meals.
The only restaurant that accepts EBT in Virginia is Subway and here are the participating locations of Subway restaurants in Virginia where you can use your EBT benefits to enjoy delicious food items as well as the operating hours of the restaurants.
EBT-Friendly Subway Restaurants In Virginia
- 7857 Heritage Dr., Ste. A, Annandale, VA 22003 (M-Sat 8am- 10pm, Sun 9am-9 pm)
- 11105 Leavells Road, Ste. 5, Fredericksburg, VA 22407 (M-Sun 9 am-10 pm)
- 15 South Gateway 117, Fredericksburg, VA 22406 (M-Sun 9 am-10 pm)
- 1670 Carl D Silver Pkwy., Fredericksburg, VA 22401 M-Sun 10am-9 pm
- 1114 Big Bethel Road, Hampton, VA 23666 (M-Sun 9 am-2 am)
- 12368 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23606 (M-Sun 9 am-2 am)
- 14501 Warwick Blvd., Ste H, Newport News, VA 23608 (M-Sun 9 am-11 pm)
- 320-3 29th St., Newport News, VA 23607 (M-F 6:30 am-10 pm, Sat-Sun 9 am-9 pm)
- 12797 Jefferson Ave., Newport News, VA 23602 (M-F 8 am-10 pm, Sat-Sun 9 am-9 pm)
- 1175 Jefferson Ave., Ste. 11, Newport News, VA 23608 (M-Sun 9 am-10 pm).
How To Use An EBT Card At Restaurants In Virginia?
Here is a step-by-step guide that will ensure a smooth and flexible experience.
- Before heading to a local restaurant you need to ensure that the store participates in the Restaurant Meals Program and you can meet the criteria as an elderly, disabled and homeless recipient.
- Not every restaurant in Virginia is accepting EBT cards so you can look for signs that say “EBT card is accepted here” or “We welcome EBT card holders”.
- You can look for SNAP EBT-eligible signs on the menu of the restaurant that you are considering or ask the cashier about the meals that can be covered by SNAP benefits. When it’s time to pay for your meal, simply swipe your EBT card just like you use your debit or credit card at a grocery store and enter your 4-digit PIN.
How Do I Find Out If A Restaurant Is Participating In the RMP Initiative In Virginia?
Virginia residents can easily determine whether a restaurant should enroll in the Restaurant Means Program and accept EBT or not in the following ways.
- Restaurants that are accepting EBT will display a sticker or sign on their entrance or window that indicates that they accept SNAP benefits.
- If you’re not sure whether a local restaurant in Virginia accepts EBT or not you can directly contact the store manager and learn if they accept EBT or food stamps for payment.
- EBT cardholders can contact the number located at the back of the card to learn information about the participating stores or restaurants that accept EBT in their area.
What Can I Purchase With Virginia SNAP Benefits?
Virginia residents enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can use the benefits from the purchase of approved products such as the following.
- Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen or canned)
- Cooking oil such as vegetable or olive oil
- Poultry products like eggs and chicken
- Dairy products like almond milk, cheese, milk, butter
- Seafood like fish, lobster, shellfish
- Red meat like ribs, steak, ground beef,
- Bread and cereals such as tortillas, rice, bagels, pasta, oatmeal, pita bread, and rye bread
- Desert such as cookies, brownies, ice cream
- Snack items including cold sandwiches, candy, chips, snack crackers
- Non-alcoholic beverages and energy drinks
- Pork products like tenderloin, bacon, sausages, chops
- Seeds and plants to produce food
Following is the list of items that you cannot purchase with your EBT card in Virginia:
- Vitamins, medicines and supplements
- Alcoholic products like wine, beer, liquor
- Cigarettes or tobacco products
- Live animals (except fish and shellfish)
- Foods that are served hot at the time of sale such as restaurant food
- Non-food items like cleaning supplies, paper products, cosmetics, hygiene items, pet food etc.
Other Places To Use Your Virginia EBT Card
Virginia SNAP recipients cannot only use their EBT card at participating restaurants but also in a variety of retailers across Virginia. These establishments include the following:
- Major supermarkets
- Local grocery stores
- Convenience stores
- Online retailers
- Farmers market (some can also provide Double Value for SNAP EBT purchase on certain items)
EBT card holders must look for a sign that indicates EBT or SNAP acceptance and inquire about the store directly. Let’s take a look at the following Virginia retailers that accept EBT cards.
- Sam’s Club
- Costco
- Albertsons
- H-E-B
- Hy-Vee
- Kroger
- Safeway
- Stop & Shop
- ShopRite
- Friendly Foods
- Albertsons
- ALDI
- Walgreen
- CVS
- Piggly Wiggly
- Harris Teeter
- Rite Aid
- Speedway
- All Stores
- Publix
- Safeway
- Big Y Foods
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Sam’s Club
- City Market
- Family Food Stores
- Foodland
- Food Lion
- H Mart
- Hometown Foods
- Jubilee Foods
- Market Basket etc.
Can I Purchase Food Online With Virginia SNAP Benefits?
Fortunately, Virginia’s participation in the USDA Online Purchasing Pilot Program enables SNAP recipients to use their food stamp benefits for online grocery delivery or pick-up with major retailers. Virginia SNAP recipients can shop for eligible goods online from the following places.
Instacart
Instacart is a popular online platform that enables EBT cardholders to go for online grocery shopping and delivery. You have to link your EBT card to your Instacart account first to avail of their services and also make sure you are living in a state that is participating in the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot. You can purchase eligible food items with Instacart and purchase only SNAP-eligible items.
DoorDash
A popular app-based delivery service similar to Instacart that accepts EBT cards from SNAP recipients and provides them with the convenience of online grocery delivery and pickup is DoorDash. DoorDash offers SNAP recipients a free month of Dash Pass that usually comes with a cost of $99.99 per month. You need to create a DoorDash account and add your EBT details to the account.
Amazon
Amazon is accepting EBT online from SNAP recipients to get groceries delivered to their doorstep. Depending on the type of food and whether you want to purchase groceries in bulk or not Amazon offers three options: Amazon for Groceries, Amazon Pantry and Amazon Fresh. SNAP recipients can get free delivery on orders above $35.
Walmart
Walmart is another online service platform that assists EBT card holders in ordering online and picking groceries up at the store. A few Walmart locations also offer delivery options. Even though you are not required to opt for membership for making online EBT purchases, you have to pay a small delivery fee that can’t be covered with the card. The Walmart + membership cost comes at $98 and offers free online delivery for orders more than $35.
To shop online with Virginia SNAP benefits you need to create an account with the retailer and add your EBT card information. Once it comes to shop for eligible goods you need to look for the SNAP EBT label, pay the cost of the products with your EBT card and enter the four-digit PIN. It is important to note that you cannot use your SNAP benefits to cover fees or delivery charges.
To get a comprehensive list of retailers that accept EBT payments online read our next guide.
How To Get SNAP Benefits In Virginia?
Virginia residents who are having a hard time affording groceries for themselves or their families can apply for the SNAP program which will enable them to stretch their food budget. You can use SNAP benefits to purchase eligible food items from authorized grocery stores, food stores, retailers and farmers markets. You need to fulfill the residency, income, household size, work and other requirements such as the following:
- Must be working for low wages or working part-time
- Must be elderly or disabled
- Must receive welfare or other public assistance payments
- Must be unemployed
Interested applicants can use CommonHelp to apply for EBT benefits in Virginia. CommonHelp will enable you to apply for the SNAP benefits and submit one application to apply for different assistance programs sponsored by the Department of Social Services including SNAP, medical assistance, Energy assistance and so on.
Recent Facts About Virginia SNAP Benefits
- As per The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities 1 in 12 Virginia residents are depending on SNAP program to meet their food requirements
- More than 9% of Virginia households in America are food insecure which means they are unable to afford adequate nutritious food without government funds
- The average monthly SNAP benefit in Virginia is $232 per household.
- More than 35% of Virginia residents who are getting SNAP benefits belong to families with at least one person who is older or lives with disabilities.
Which Other States Apart From Virginia Participate In The Restaurant Meals Program?
Virginia is enrolled in the Restaurant Meals Program and only a handful of Subway locations accept EBT from SNAP beneficiaries here. Let’s take a look at the other states that are RMP-enrolled and are enabling SNAP beneficiaries to access hot-prepared meals using EBT benefits.
California
California has the most robust and largest Restaurant Meals Program and a lot of fast-food chains are accepting EBT in California from SNAP beneficiaries. You can learn about the list of participating restaurants and its location in our next guide.
Alabama
Alabama has limited participation in the Restaurant Meals Program and only a handful of restaurants are RMP-approved. If you are living in Alabama and want to use your EBT benefits to access hot prepared meals head to our next guest about the list of restaurants and fast food chains that accept EBT in Alabama.
Arizona
Similar to California, Arizona has a large Restaurant Meals Program and a lot of fast-food restaurants are accepting EBT in Arizona from recipients. This includes Queen, Subway, Burger King, and Taco Bell to name a few. Learn about the list of restaurants, participating countries and more pertaining details in our next guide.
Hawaii
There are a few Hawaiian cities that are enrolled in the Restaurant Meals Program and accept EBT benefits from disabled, elderly and homeless SNAP recipients. The list includes Subway, Burger King, Taco Bell, and Papa John’s, to name a few. As per Yelp reviews a few restaurants in Hawaii accept EBT from SNAP beneficiaries.
Missouri
Missouri is collecting applications from restaurants that have enrolled in the Restaurant Meals Program. As per Yelp reviews only a limited number of restaurants are accepting EBT in Missouri. You can head to our guide today to learn about the participating locations and the restaurants.
Maryland
Only a handful of restaurants are accepting EBT as a method of payment from SNAP beneficiaries in Maryland. You can read about the list of all fast food restaurants that accept EBT in Maryland in our next guide.
Michigan
A lot of restaurants in Michigan are accepting EBT as a method of payment from SNAP beneficiaries. This includes Subway and McDonald’s to name a few. To learn about the participating restaurants in Michigan that accept EBT along with the locations you can read our next guide.
Illinois
Illinois has limited participation in the Restaurant Meals Program and only a handful of locations are accepting EBT for restaurant meals. Illinois has approved RMP in Franklin and Cook counties with the following zip codes 60619, 60620, 60628 and 60617. You can read our next guide to learn about the list of fast-food restaurants that accept EBT in Illinois.
Massachusetts
There are 27 fast food locations and restaurants in Massachusetts that accept EBT from SNAP beneficiaries. The participating cities are Boston, Brockton, Chelsea, Dorchester, Fall River, Greenfield, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lynn, Mattapan, Revere, Roslindale, Springfield, and Worcester. Massachusetts initiated the pilot program In 2023 for the RMP and is listed in the program newly.
New York
One more state that is newly enrolled in the Restaurant Meals Program is New York. The state is now accepting applications from fast-food restaurants that will soon start accepting payments from SNAP beneficiaries. Once the program gets launched we will update the post with all the participating locations and counties.
Rhode Island
Only six participating restaurants of Subway and Federal Hill Plaza are accepting EBT as a method of payment in Rhode Island. To know about the participating Rhode Island restaurants that accept EBT through the Restaurant Meals Program head to our next guide.
What Income Do You Need To Have To Be Eligible For Food Stamps In Virginia?
Following is the list of gross monthly income that you need to fulfill to qualify for the food stamps program in Virginia:
- $1,276 for one-person household
- $1,726 for two-person household
- $2,177 for three-person household
- $2,628 for four-person household
- $3,078 for five-person household
- $3,529 for six-person household
- $3,980 for seven-person household
- $4,430 for eight-person household
- $4,881 for nine-person household
- $5,332 for ten-person household
In Virginia, food benefits are added to your EBT card from the 1st to the 9th of each month based on the last digit of your case number. Following is the list of schedule:
- Benefits will be available on the 1st of the month if your case number ends in 0 to 3
- Benefits will be added on the 4th of the month if your case number ends in 4 to 5
- Benefits will be available on the 7th of the month if your case number ends in 6 to 7
- Benefits will be added on the 9th of the month if your case number ends in 8 to 9.
Conclusion
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Virginia offers nutritional assistance to millions of eligible individuals and families. The Restaurant Meals Program in Virginia enables few residents to purchase prepared meals and are unable to cook food themselves. Till now only Subway locations in Virginia accept EBT as a method of payment. As more fast food chains enroll in the Virginia Restaurant Meals Program, we will update the post for you along with the participating locations. In addition our guide has also helped you explore the eligibility criteria, the application process and other pertaining details of using EBT in Virginia.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hot Food Covered By EBT In Virginia?
Virginia is enrolled in the Restaurant Meals Program and has limited participation. Till now beneficiaries in Virginia can use their food stamp benefits to access hot prepared meals only from participating Subway restaurants that have been mentioned in the above section of the article.
What Does EBT Cover In Virginia?
The EBT or food stamp benefits in Virginia covers nutritional food that is intended for human consumption including non-alcoholic beverages, staple food items, baby food, seasoning, seeds, plants to grow food for family consumption and so on.
Can You Use EBT At Starbucks In Virginia?
Starbucks is not enrolled in the Restaurant Meals Program anywhere throughout the country and you cannot use the EBT card to purchase prepared meals and drinks at any location, even in licensed stores. However, in some cases, licensed Starbucks stores present inside Walmart or Target can accept EBT for cold items and beverages.