Fast Food Places or Restaurants Accept EBT In Kentucky – Paying for food bills to feed your family can be financially challenging for a lot of American households especially those belonging to underserved and marginalized communities. Fortunately, the SNAP is here to help people in times of need. SNAP is the largest federal nutrition assistance program that is available in all 50 states including Kentucky.
The program benefits come in the form of a card known as an Electronic Benefits Transfer Card that helps recipients purchase necessary goods at participating retail outlets.
A lot of recipients wonder whether the debit card is accepted as a method of payment at Kentucky restaurants. If you’re wondering how to use your SNAP benefits in the state of Kentucky we have covered everything for you in this guide, so let’s get started.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaways
- Kentucky doesn’t participate in the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP).
- You cannot use your EBT card to buy hot, prepared meals at Kentucky restaurants.
- You can use your EBT card at authorized grocery stores and retailers to purchase SNAP-approved food items.
- Kentucky residents can use EBT cards for online grocery purchases from select retailers like Amazon and Walmart.
What Is The SNAP/ EBT Program?
Before diving deep into why you cannot use your EBT card at Kentucky restaurants let’s learn what the SNAP EBT program is and how you can benefit from it. The acronym SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program which has been designed to help low-income families and individuals get the right food support. Formerly known as the food stamps EBT program enables low-income families to purchase necessary goods and groceries using a card that functions similarly to a debit card.
A lot of SNAP recipients wonder: Does H Mart Accept Food Stamp or EBT? Find the answers in our next guide.
Why Restaurants In Kentucky Do Not Accept EBT As A Method Of Payment?
The Restaurant Meals Program is an extension of the SNAP EBT program that enables beneficiaries to use their EBT card at authorized restaurants to purchase hot prepared food.
The program has been authorized under the federal government rule since 1977 to enable few shoppers to buy hot restaurant meals using their SNAP funds. The program has been designed largely to assist people who are unable to cook food due to their old age, lack of housing or access to a kitchen and disability.
To be eligible you must live in an area with an authorized Restaurant Meals Program and must meet any one of the following eligibility criteria:
- Must be at least 60 years of age
- Must be disabled and receive disability compensation
- Must be homeless
- Must be a spouse or SNAP recipient eligible for the restaurant meals program
Unfortunately, Kentucky is not a part of the Restaurant Meals Program so you cannot use your EBT card in any restaurants located in this state.
Where Can I Find Restaurants That Accept EBT?
The eligibility criteria of the RMP require SNAP recipients to be elderly, disabled or homeless. Till now only six states have been participating in this program such as the following:
- California
- Arizona
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Rhode Island
However, only a few locations in these RMP-approved states are authorized to accept EBT as a method of payment. Individual restaurants and fast food chains have to seek approval from the state independently. Some of the popular restaurants that accept EBT in RMP-approved states are as follows:
- Domino’s
- Little Caesars
- Papa John’s
- Wendy’s
- El Pollo Loco
- KFC
- Taco Bell
- Jack in the Box
- Pizza Hut to name a few.
What Can You Buy With Your Kentucky Food Stamps/ EBT Card?
Below is a list of compiled eligible SNAP items that you can purchase using your Kentucky food stamps or EBT card. The objective of the Kentucky SNAP Benefits program is to offer nutritious food and healthy groceries to low-income families and individuals.
The general rule requires EBT cardholders to buy any food items apart from those that are hot at the time of sale such as restaurant food. Following is the list of items that you can generally buy with your Kentucky food stamps
- Bread and cereals: All types of bread, crackers, cereals, pasta, oatmeal and rice are allowed.
- Milk and Dairy Products: All types of milk, yogurt, cheese and butter are eligible
- Fruits and vegetables: All types of fresh, canned or frozen fruits and vegetables are allowed for EBT purchase. This also includes dried fruits and vegetables.
- Meat, poultry and fish: This comprises all forms of meat such as pork, beef, turkey, chicken, fish and lamb
- Snacks and desserts: Chips, cakes, cookies and other snack items are eligible as long as they do not have any vitamins or minerals in them. Gum, candy and soft drinks cannot be purchased using EBT SNAP benefits.
- Seeds and Plants: SNAP participants can purchase plants and seeds using their EBT to produce food at home
- Energy drinks: Specific energy drinks are allowed for purchase using an EBT card.
Read also: Does Wawa Accept SNAP, EBT, or Food Stamps?
What Can’t You Buy With Your Kentucky Food Stamp Benefits?
As per the guidelines created by the United States Department of Agriculture, SNAP beneficiaries cannot use their Kentucky EBT card to purchase luxury items, non-edible food or junk food.
- Alcoholic beverages
- Prepared hot food
- Tobacco products
- Vitamins
- Non-food items like pet foods
- Cleaning supplies
- Laundry detergent
- Diapers
- Shampoo
- Personal hygiene items
- Cosmetics
- Paper products
- Hot prepared food
How To Qualify For Kentucky SNAP Benefits?
The SNAP EBT program is designed for low-income families and households who are living below the federal poverty line. The eligibility criteria for the program may vary from one state to another therefore you need to know the requirements before applying.
Following are the basics that will help you to know how you can qualify for SNAP EBT in Kentucky
- Must be a citizen of the United States or a legal immigrant
- The household must not have more than $2250 in cash and assets
- Households with members more than 60 must have cash and assets less than $3500.
The eligibility criteria of the program depend largely on your household income and may vary based on how much income your household has and how many members rely on that financial resource. For instance, if your household income is less than $150 per month or your mortgage/ rent/ utility expenses exceed the household income then you would be eligible for SNAP assistance immediately.
Restaurants That Accept EBT Payments From Anyone
The majority of fast food restaurants and chains accept EBT if the state is participating in the Restaurant Meals Program. However, there are a few outliers that accept EBT funds from a new one including the following.
Starbucks
Starbucks’s location in Kentucky must not be on the list of restaurants or fast food chains that accept EBT however it is possible to get Starbucks food items or drinks with your SNAP or EBT benefits in a few areas.
However, a lot of stores are updating their payment system to prevent EBT transactions from going through. Few Starbucks locations for instance those inside grocery stores can accept EBT however the company-owned Starbucks stores will never accept EBT as a method of payment.
Papa Murphy’s Take And Bake Pizzas
Since Kentucky is not participating in the Restaurant Meals Program you are not eligible to purchase hot prepared food using your EBT card however you can use your food stamp benefits to buy take-and-bake pizzas at Papa Murphy’s store location.
This is because the pizzas that the chain sells is not hot at the time of purchase so it is not a SNAP-ineligible item. You can also purchase salads, sodas and cookie dough using your EBT card. Papa Murphy’s has nearly 1200 locations throughout the United States of America and all the locations throughout the country accept EBT for eligible food items including Kentucky.
Other Take And Bake Pizzerias
Apart from Papa Murphy’s many other take-and-bake pizzerias accept EBT so you must keep an eye out for your local take-and-bake pizzerias. These pizzerias enable Kentuckians to purchase cold pizza so that they can take and cook at home. Even though 7-11 is a convenience store, not a restaurant, a lot of readers have reported that they can buy cold pizzas from this chain using their EBT benefits.
How To Use Your EBT Card At Approved Grocery Stores In Kentucky?
You need to follow the below-mentioned steps to use your SNAP benefits or EBT card to purchase eligible food items at any approved stores in Kentucky.
- Once you reach the operated register in the Kentucky store separate the eligible SNAP products from the regular items while loading the checkout.
- Swipe or insert your SNAP benefit card into the card reader when you’re ready to pay for the groceries or food items at a SNAP approved and input your PIN
- Inform the cashier about the specific amount either in SNAP benefits or cash from which you want to charge your order
- Next re-enter your PIN on the point of sale keyboard to confirm if the charges are correct. The purchase total of your order in the Kentucky store will be deducted from your SNAP or cash account as per your directions. Do not forget to keep the receipt after shopping as it will help you to track your expenses and prevent missed charges. You can also see the latest balance on your EBT card.
Interested in knowing: Does the Amish Market Take SNAP, EBT, or Food Stamps? Our next guide will cover all the details for you.
List Of Grocery Stores That Accept EBT For Payment
As you know Kentucky does not accept EBT as a method of payment the next step is to look for grocery stores that are accepting EBT as a method of payment.
Following is the list of grocery stores scattered throughout the United States of America including Kentucky from where you can shop for eligible items and pay using your Electronic Benefits Transfer card.
- Albertsons
- Big Y Foods
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Costco
- City Market
- Family Food Stores
- Foodland
- Food Lion
- Friendly Foods
- Harris Teeter
- Hometown Foods
- Jubilee Foods
- Kroger
- Market Basket
- Piggly Wiggly
- Publix
- Safeway
- Sam’s Club
- Target
- Kroger
- ALDI
- Walgreen
- CVS
- Rite Aid
- Speedway
- All Stores
- Dollar Tree
Can I Use My EBT Card For Online Purchases in Kentucky?
Yes, it is possible to use your EBT card to purchase goods online in Kentucky from select platforms. A lot of platforms are participating in the SNAP Online Pilot Program that enables SNAP beneficiaries to order groceries from the comfort of their home.
Following is the list of different apps or online platforms that are accepting EBT cards for grocery payments throughout the United States of America including Kentucky.
Amazon
Those who are looking for food service companies that accept EBT in Kentucky can go for Amazon Fresh. Amazon.com and Amazon Fresh accept EBT cards and you can buy a wide variety of products from these companies. The company started accepting the EBT method of payment back in 2019.
Instacart
There are many grocery stores on the Instacart app or website that enable SNAP beneficiaries to use their card for purchasing groceries in Kentucky. Customers can order from grocery stores for pickup with the help of Instacart.
Target
Target is accepting EBT as a method of payment from 2022. EBT recipients can use the Target order pickup option as well to order groceries. Target provides the added flexibility and convenience to customers to choose their desired grocery and food items online.
Walmart
Walmart is another big online platform that has been accepting EBT since 2020 just a year after Amazon. You can order grocery items and pay using your EBT card.
ALDI
ALDI accepts EBT or SNAP benefits cards at authorized locations. ALDI is not only popular for its affordable prices on household items and groceries but has also gained recognition for its commitment to providing healthy food options to its in-store brand products. ALDI’s stores accept EBT in addition to major credit and debit cards as well as Google Pay and Apple Pay.
DoorDash
DoorDash is one of the latest and most popular app-based delivery services that enable people to purchase food and get it delivered to their doorstep. They are available across the 50 United States and even accept EBT cards as a method of payment. So if you are a SNAP beneficiary in Kentucky you can use your EBT card to order food items and groceries from DoorDash.
Conclusion
The state of Kentucky has chosen not to enroll into the Restaurant Meals Program so SNAP beneficiaries cannot use their EBT card as a method of payment to purchase hot prepared food from any fast food restaurant. However, they can use their EBT funds to purchase SNAP-eligible food at any authorized store. Navigating the use of food stamps or EBT cards by adding an authorized restaurant is simpler. EBT card covers necessary food and groceries that can help to feed your family however this does not include prepared restaurant food. One cannot use your EBT card at a Kentucky restaurant you can use it at grocery stores, retailers and farmers markets that sell food ingredients.
We hope this article has been informative enough to give you all the details you need regarding EBT in Kentucky. You can learn more about the government grants and financial assistance program at the Get Government Grants’ blog section today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need A Different EBT Card To Use At Restaurants?
No the EBT card that you are using to buy necessary groceries and food at authorized retail outlets is the same one that you can use to purchase hot meals through the Restaurant Meals Program.
Can I Use EBT At Restaurants?
SNAP EBT benefits can be used at select restaurants if you’re living in an area that is participating in the Restaurant Meals Program. Residents of California, Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Maryland, Rhode Island are only eligible to use their EBT cards at select RMP-approved restaurants.
What Are The EBT Card Limitations?
While every food stamp benefits card comes with several benefits it also comes with serious limitations. For instance, SNAP benefits can be used for purchasing healthy food for your family so you cannot purchase other necessities like medicine, diapers, clothes, pet food, alcohol or tobacco.
What Is The Limit Of EBT Or Food Stamps In Kentucky?
Low-income families in Kentucky with gross income up to 200% of the federal poverty level or $4143 per month for a household of three members qualify for SNAP benefits. The gross income limit applies to households except those where at least one person is disabled or is 60 years of age.
