Does Rally’s Hamburgers Take EBT Cards, SNAP or Food Stamp – Are you a SNAP recipient who loves to eat hamburgers? Then you must have heard of the fast-food chain Rally’s Hamburgers which is renowned for serving hamburgers with a variety of tasty sides. Rally’s Hamburgers is one of the fastest-growing fast-food chains in the United States.
A lot of SNAP recipients are curious to know if they can use their SNAP benefits at fast food restaurants like Rally’s Hamburgers. You would be pleased to note that Rally’s Hamburgers accepts EBT cards as a payment method for in-store purchases in select counties in California. This article will explore all the possibilities as well as the restriction of using food stamps or EBT cards at fast food chains like Rally’s Hamburgers and will put an emphasis on the SNAP RMP initiative along with the alternate restaurants that accept EBT cards by enrolling in this initiative.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaways
- Most Rally’s locations don’t accept EBT cards.
- Only a few states participate in the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) allowing EBT purchases at authorized restaurants, including some Rally’s.
- Even in RMP states, not all Rally’s accept EBT.
- Elderly, disabled, and homeless individuals on SNAP benefits may qualify for RMP in authorized states.
What Is SNAP/ EBT?
EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer and is a digital system through which food assistance beneficiaries receive money from the government. By using this card you can purchase a variety of food and groceries to meet your health and dietary needs.
EBT cards can be used at point-of-sale terminals and ATMs for withdrawing cash or making SNAP-eligible purchases at participating retail outlets. The SNAP initiative has assisted millions of American households to afford healthy groceries. It is also an amazing way to enjoy Rally’s Hamburger meals and snacks in RMP-approved states.
Read also: Does Lidl Accept Food Stamps or EBT?
What Is The Restaurant Meals Program?
The Restaurant Meals Program is a federal initiative and a part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that enables certain EBT recipients to purchase hot-prepared meals from participating restaurants using their food stamp cards. It is interesting to note that every state is free to decide whether to implement the Restaurant Meals Program for their residents or not.
Till now only six states have enrolled in this program, for instance- Arizona, California, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island and Illinois. USDA has designed RMP to benefit the elderly, homeless and disabled individuals so that they can enjoy meals at restaurants and alleviate their hunger.
Note: California started the RMP program in early 2000s and is the most elaborate RMP in the state. Even though the initiative started in San Francisco it has slowly spread through the state. The CalFresh RMP program was expanded in 2021 and is popular for having the most robust and largest RMP of any other state in the country.
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What Are Rally’s Hamburgers?
Rally’s Hamburgers is a well-known fast food restaurant that is participating in the CalFresh Restaurant Meals program. The chain is popular for serving flavourful and bold hamburgers that come with a variety of tasty sides for instance milkshakes, hot wings, soft drinks, hot dogs, chicken, burgers and seasoned fries.
The restaurant provides a convenient and satisfying choice for RMP program participants to enjoy a delicious and quick burger experience. Rally’s, a unit of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants Inc. is a chain of fast food, limited menu establishments that features double drive-thru orders and pickup service with no indoor seating except in a few limited locations.
Read also: Does Gordon Food Service Store Take SNAP or EBT Cards?
In Which States Can You Find Rally’s Hamburgers?
There are presently 313 Rally’s locations throughout the United States of America. Following are the states along with the number of Rally’s hamburgers that are operating.
- Alabama (7)
- Arizona (10)
- Arkansas (8)
- California (44)
- Florida (1)
- Illinois (7)
- Indiana (43)
- Kentucky (33)
- Louisiana (21)
- Michigan (20)
- Mississippi (9)
- Missouri (22)
- Nevada (3)
- Ohio (73)
- Pennsylvania (2)
- Virginia (8)
- West Virginia (2)
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Do Rally’s Hamburgers Accept SNAP, EBT or Food Stamp?
Yes Rally’s Hamburgers accept food stamps or EBT benefits from SNAP beneficiaries in select locations. A few Rally’s Hamburgers restaurant locations are accepting EBT from SNAP beneficiaries in California. There are nearly 44 Rally’s Hamburgers locations in California among which 25 are RMP authorized.
Rally’s Hamburgers is also accepting EBT payments in select locations in Arizona. However, before heading to your nearby Rally’s Hamburgers, it is critical to confirm they are accepting SNAP or EBT payments.
If you do not live in specific California counties where the chain is accepting EBT do not lose hope, since a lot of states are considering working with the federal government and launching their own Restaurant Meals Program. You can expect more Rally’s Hamburgers store locations to start accepting EBT benefits from low-income American households shortly.
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Who Can Buy Food From Rally’s Hamburgers With An EBT Card?
Rally’s Hamburger is accepting EBT cards only in the RMP-approved California and Arizona counties. The CalFresh Restaurant Meals program is assisting the elderly, homeless or disabled individuals to enjoy hot prepaid meals using the EBT card.
Not everyone can qualify for food from Rally’s Hamburgers using EBT benefits. You need to fulfill any one of the following conditions to be eligible.
- Must be elderly (at least 60 or above age)
- Must be disabled and receiving disability benefits from the government
- Must be homeless with no permanent nighttime mattress
- Must be spouse of SNAP recipients who is enrolled for RMP
- Must live in a state that is RMP-approved.
What Can I Purchase With My Food Stamps or EBT Card From Rally’s Hamburger?
The USDA has designed the SNAP program to help low-income households buy healthy and nutritious food using their EBT card. Fortunately Rally’s Hamburger sells a lot of eligible food items that SNAP recipients can cover using their food stamp benefits for instance the following:
- Variety of burgers
- Classic chicken wings
- Chicken tenders that include buffalo fry, season tenders and fries, seasoned tenders
- Chicken sandwich
- Chicken bites and fries
- Chicken cruncher
- Chili cheese dog and grilled hot dog
- Crispy fish sandwich
- Different flavors of fries and sides
- Different varieties of slushies
- Sweet side that includes apple pie, classic milkshake, cheesecake sundae, soft serve cone and funnel cake fries
- Soft drinks that include Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, Minute Maid lemonade, Fanta strawberry, Coca-Cola cherry fruit punch etcetera
- Combo meal as well as other limited-time offerings
How To Use Your EBT Card To Purchase Meals From Rally’s Hamburger?
Locating an RMP-approved Rally’s Hamburger that is accepting EBT or SNAP benefits can be a herculean task since only a handful of locations are processing EBT payments.
If you’re fortunate enough to locate a Rally’s Hamburger store location that accepts EBT funds then you must follow the below-mentioned steps to use your EBT card and cover your food bills.
- The first and foremost step is to go to the checkout counter of Rally’s Hamburger where you can use your food stamp. Do not forget to inform the cashier that you will be paying using your SNAP benefits. Once the cashier confirms you can start ordering your preferred food from Rally’s Hamburger menu.
- When it comes to paying for your ordered meal from the cashier you would be using your food stamps or EBT card
- Next simply swipe or enter your EBT card at the cash register, enter your 4-digit PIN and authorize the payment.
Read also: Does Amazon Accept EBT Card, Snap or Food Stamp?
Can I Use My EBT Card To Purchase Food Online From Rally’s Hamburger?
Rally’s Hamburger has partnered with many third-party apps like UberEats, Grubhub, Postmates and DoorDash. Unfortunately, the option to order food with your EBT card at Rally’s Hamburger is not possible at any EBT-approved store location.
Rally’s Hamburger is not accepting EBT as a method of payment from SNAP beneficiaries online or any other third-party services. To use your food stamp benefits you need to be a resident of California and Arizona, visit a participating Rally’s Hamburger store in-person and swipe the card at the register.
Read also: Does Shipt Accept Food Stamps, SNAP, or EBT?
What Can You Generally Buy With An EBT Card?
Following is the list of items that you can cover with your EBT card.
- Bread and cereals: This includes all types of bread, crackers, cereals, pasta, oatmeal and rice.
- Meat, poultry and fish: This comprises all forms of meat such as pork, beef, turkey, chicken, fish and lamb
- Protein powders, shakes and bars: You can purchase meal replacement shakes, protein powders, bars or any other shakes that come with a Nutrition Facts label instead of a Supplements Facts label
- Fruits and vegetables: All types of fresh, canned or frozen fruits and vegetables are allowed for EBT purchase.
- Milk and Dairy Products: This includes all types of milk, yogurt, cheese and butter
- Plant, seeds and seedlings: You can use your food stamp benefits to pick up plants, seeds or seedlings that can help you produce fruits, vegetables or herbs at your home.
- Baby Formula: You can use SNAP benefits to purchase infant formula including cereals, baby food and juices to feed your baby.
- Beverages: You cannot purchase hot coffee, teas or lettuce using your SNAP benefits card. You can purchase brew-it-yourself tea and coffee using SNAP Benefits including cold beverages like cold drinks, fountain drinks, smoothies, and iced coffees that are intended for human consumption.
- Live Lobsters and Seafood: You can use your SNAP benefits to purchase live seafood such as lobsters, clams, and shrimp including live fish removed from water.
- Snack items: This includes bakery cakes, chips, cheese, crackers, and gift baskets comprising eligible food items.
Read also: What can you Shop Online With EBT?
What Can’t You Purchase With Your SNAP Benefits or EBT Card?
In the below section, we have covered a list of items that are SNAP-ineligible and you have to use an alternate source of payment to cover these items.
- Medicine, Vitamins and Supplements: Any item that comprises the Supplement Facts Label is a supplement and cannot be purchased with EBT or SNAP benefits. You cannot buy vitamins, medicines and supplements with your EBT card.
- Hot Food: This includes hot cocoa, chili stew, prepared meats or any restaurant meals.
- Live Animals: You cannot purchase live animals using your EBT card however there are exceptions such as live shellfish, live fish removed from water, animals slaughtered before pickup from the store etc.
- Alcohol And Tobacco Products: This includes beer, wine, tobacco, cigarettes, liquor, low-alcohol beers labeled as liquor-filled chocolates, non-alcoholic, Alcoholic wine, e-liquid for electronic cigarettes etc.
- Non-Food Items: This includes cleaning supplies, pet food, cosmetics, hygiene items, cooking utensils etc.
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Why Isn’t Every Rally’s Hamburger Authorized To Accept SNAP/ EBT Payments?
Following is the list of reasons why Rally’s Hamburger is unable to process EBT payments in all locations.
Strict SNAP Rules And Regulations
To process SNAP EBT payments restaurant owners including Rally’s Hamburgers have to participate in SNAP and keep up with additional paperwork along with strict SNAP eligibility criteria. Most of the restaurants are unable to keep up with the strict guidelines and so they declined to participate in this program.
Variability Of Restaurant Meals Program
The USDA has expanded the Restaurant Meals Program to benefit only a few groups of people like the elderly, disabled and homeless populations so that they can enjoy hot prepared meals at participating restaurants.
However RMP is a voluntary program and SNAP leaves it to individual states to decide if they want to enroll in this program or not. Due to compliance with SNAP rules Rally’s Hamburger food items remain unapproved for EBT purchase in non-participating states.
Limited RMP Approved States
Restaurants like Rally’s Hamburger are authorized to accept EBT cards only in RMP-approved locations. Presently only six states are participating in this program among which only California Rally’s Hamburger store location is authorized to accept EBT payments. Even in other RMP-approved states, you can find Rally’s Hamburger which accepts EBT payments.
Which Rally’s Hamburger Restaurants In Arizona Accept EBT/ Food Stamp Benefits?
Every Rally’s Hamburger restaurant has to seek approval from SNAP individually to accept EBT. Following is the list of locations if you’re residing in Arizona that accept EBT payments.
- Mesa: Nearly 62 restaurants in Mesa County are accepting EBT benefits among which Rally’s Hamburger is one of them.
- Phoenix: Nearly 168 EBT RMP-approved restaurants are located in Phoenix AZ among which Rally’s Hamburger is one of them.
- Tempe: Rally’s Hamburger accepts EBT in certain locations in Tempe.
Read also: Does Piggly Wiggly Accept Food Stamps, SNAP, or EBT?
Which Rally’s Hamburger Restaurants In California Accept EBT?
California has the most robust and elaborate RMP initiative and you can find a lot of restaurants that accept EBT including Rally’s hamburgers. Following are the counties where you can find EBT-friendly Rally’s hamburgers store locations.
- Fresno County: Rally’s hamburgers has nearly 5 participating locations and all are located in Clovis and Fresno.
- Kern County: Rally’s hamburgers has one participating location situated in Kern County.
- King’s County: Rally’s hamburgers has only one RMP participating location in Hanford, Kings County.
- Los Angeles County: Rally’s hamburgers has 6 EBT participating locations in Gardena, Long Beach, Hawthorne, Los Angeles and Norwalk.
- Tulare County: Rally’s hamburgers has one SNAP RMP participating location situated in Porterville Tulare county.
- Merced County: Rally’s hamburgers has only one participating location in Los Banos, Merced County.
- Madeira County: Rally’s hamburgers has only one participating location in Madera County California.
There are thousands of restaurants that are accepting EBT in California through the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program. You can learn more about restaurants that accept California in our next guide.
Do Other RMP Approved Restaurants Accept EBT?
With the rising cost of food in America a lot of individuals and families are relying on food stamp benefits to cover their food bills. Nearly 41.5 million Americans have enrolled in this initiative since 2021. Those who are unable to find a participating Rally’s Hamburger in their nearby location can take a look at the following RMP-approved fast food restaurants.
KFC
The fast food restaurant is famous for its delectable fried chicken along with other side dishes. Around 140 KFC stores in Arizona and California are accepting EBT payments.
Burger King
Nearly 110 Burger King locations across Arizona and California are accepting EBT payments. Burger King is a renowned fast-food chain that is popular for its flame-grilled burgers, sandwiches, salads, crispy fries etc.
Carl’s Jr.
Carl’s Jr has gained popularity in America for its iconic options like bacon cheeseburgers, breakfast choices, hand-breaded chicken tenders and chicken sandwiches. Around 208 Carl’s Jr fast food restaurants in Arizona and California accept EBT.
Domino’s Pizza
Domino’s Pizza is one of the famous fast-food chains that offers delectable pizza, pasta, chicken wings, desserts and sandwiches. EBT recipients who are pizza lovers can utilize their EBT benefits as a method of payment in 62 Domino’s locations in California.
Jack-In-The-Box
Jack-in-the-box is a fast food restaurant that serves tacos, breakfast items, sandwiches, chicken etc. Around 588 Jack-In-The-box locations in California and Arizona accept debt payments.
Little Caesars
Little Caesars provides amazing pizza offerings and caters to all pizza lovers. Unfortunately, only a handful of locations in California are accepting EBT as a method of payment.
EL Pollo Loco
The fast food chain is popular for its American-inspired dishes including tacos, chicken-centric dishes, family-sized meals, burritos etc. Around 249 fast-food restaurants in California and Arizona accept EBT benefits.
Del Taco
The fast food establishment is popular for its Mexican-inspired flavors like burritos, tacos, fries, burgers etc. Around 141 Del Taco locations in California are accepting SNAP benefits.
Papa John’s
Papa John’s is a widely recognized pizza delivery and takeout chain that offers delectable pizza and selective locations in California and Arizona accept EBT as a method of payment.
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is a well-favored pizza chain in America that offers delicious pizza, chicken wings, cheesy garlic notes, breadsticks etc. Around 227 Pizza Hut locations in Arizona and California accept EBT payments.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell is well known for serving Mexican-inspired dishes and boasts a wide array of dishes like classic burritos, tacos, nachos, tortillas etc. Only 25 select locations in America accept EBT payments
Subway
Subway is a well-known sandwich chain that offers customizable sandwiches including fresh salads and flavorful wraps. Around 709 Subway locations are accepting EBT in Arizona and California.
Papa Murphy’s
A unique pizza chain that serves baked pizza and offers customers an amazing opportunity to customize their pizza at home is Papa Murphy’s. Almost all Papa Murphy’s store locations accept EBT payments.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s is a fast food chain that has earned a reputation for serving burgers along with chicken sandwiches, salads, oven-baked potatoes, sides etc. Only 86 Wendy’s store locations accept EBT in California.
McDonald’s
One more affordable and popular fast food restaurant McDonalds accepts EBT in Arizona and California counties. You can satisfy your fast food craving from McDonald’s with your EBT card if you live in one of the approved locations.
A few more locations are as follows:
- Church’s Chicken
- Dairy Queen
- Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken
- Tam’s Burger
- The Habit Burger Grill
- Waba Grill
- Starbucks etc.
Read also: Does Honey Baked Ham Accept EBT?
Conclusion
Millions of Americans who are participating in the SNAP program would be pleased to note that they can pay for their favorite hamburger from Rally’s using their food stamps or EBT card. However for this they have to dwell in specific states that are participating in USDA’s Restaurants Meals Program—most commonly California and Arizona. There are many other fast food chains that are accepting EBT payments in RMP-approved states. The acceptance of the EBT is a method of payment that provides excellent convenience and accessibility to low income households who rely on food stamps for the food and gives them an opportunity to enjoy a quick tasty meal like delectable hamburgers without compromising on their dietary or budgetary requirements.
We hope this article has been informative enough to give you all the details you need regarding Rally’s Hamburger that accepts EBT in certain locations. You can learn more about the government grants and financial assistance program at the Get Government Grants’ blog section today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rally’s Hamburger Accept SNAP EBT Cards?
Yes, Rally’s Hamburger food stamps in certain Arizona and California counties. The availability of RMP in approved locations may vary and you can refer to the above section of the article to know about the particular locations. EBT card payments are accepted for only in-store or drive-thru and you cannot order online through DoorDash, UberEats as a form of payment.
Can I Use My EBT or Food Stamps For Online Delivery At Rally’s Hamburger?
No, it is not possible to use your EBT card for online delivery at Rally’s Hamburger. Rally’s Hamburger accepts food stamps or EBT payment from SNAP beneficiaries in select California and Arizona counties only for in-store purchases and not for online orders.