Fast Food Places or Restaurants That Take EBT In Rhode Island – If you’re currently living in Rhode Island and receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or food stamp benefits you have amazing news! You can use your Rhode Island EBT card at fast food restaurants and food chains throughout the state to access prepared meals. There are a handful of restaurants that are enrolled in Restaurant Meal Programs and accept EBT to enable recipients to access hot-prepared meals and alleviate hunger.
The Rhode Island food stamp benefits can be redeemed at participating restaurant locations if you meet the criteria. In this guide, we will help you delve deep into the names of restaurants in the participating locations that accept EBT in Rhode Island. In addition, we will also cover how the Restaurant Meals Program in Rhode Island works and who can qualify for the program.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaways
- Rhode Island has a limited Restaurant Meals Program (RMP).
- Only elderly, disabled, and homeless SNAP recipientsqualify for RMP.
- 10 Subway locations and 1 Federal Hill Pizzaaccept EBT for hot meals.
- Look for “Restaurant Meals Program” signage or contact your local SNAP agency to find participating restaurants.
- EBT cannot be used for hot meals unless you qualify for RMP.
Overview Of The Restaurant Meals Program In Rhode Island
The Restaurant Meals Program has been a critical part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or food stamp program since 1977. The initiative enables qualified elderly, disabled, and homeless SNAP recipients to purchase necessary food and groceries at authorized restaurants.
Any state or county throughout America can enroll in this initiative. The objective of the program is to expand the accessibility of hot prepared meals to individuals who do not have a proper place to store or cook food, who do not have access to a grocery store or who may not be able to shop for groceries and prepare food.
Do you know which fast-food chains in Kentucky accept EBT? Find them out in our next guide.
Who Is Eligible For The Restaurant Meal Program In Rhode Island?
The Restaurant Meals Program has been created for the elderly, homeless and disabled SNAP recipients explicitly so not everyone can purchase prepared meals with their food stamp benefits. Here is a set of people who are considered eligible for the Restaurant Meals Program.
- Homeless: Unhoused folks who do not have a permanent nighttime address or those who are living in a halfway house, shelter or a place not fit for sleeping are eligible to partake in the Restaurant Meals Program in Rhode Island. This also includes individuals who are temporarily staying in the home of another person for instance 90 days or less.
- Elderly. To be eligible for the Restaurant Meals Program in Rhode Island you need to be an elderly person of above 60 years.
- Disabled. To be eligible for the Restaurant Meals Program the person or household should have only members who are designated disabled by the government or a disabled individual and his or her spouse.
Spouses of SNAP recipients who are eligible for the Restaurant Meals Program can also purchase hot-prepared meals with their food stamp benefits.
Read about the list of restaurants that accept EBT payments in Arkansas in our next guide.
Which Restaurants Accept EBT In Rhode Island?
The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Services expanded SNAP benefits in the form of RMP for Rhode Island SNAP recipients to pay for their hot prepared meals using EBT benefits. This program covers homeless, elderly and disabled households who can use their EBT benefits for the purchase of meals at 9 participating Subway restaurants and Federal Hill Pizza Restaurant in Providence.
Rhode Island has limited participation in the Restaurant Meals Program and not many restaurants or fast food chains are participating in it. According to the Rhode Island Department of Human Services following is the list of restaurants along with their participating locations that accept EBT from SNAP recipients.
Subway Restaurants
- 962 Cranston Street, Cranston
- 719 Westminster Street, Providence
- 583 Elmwood Avenue, Providence
- 579 Atwells Avenue, Providence
- 2 Kennedy Plaza, Providence
- 614 Pawtucket Avenue, Pawtucket
- 483 Clinton Street, Woonsocket
- 310 Broad Street, Central Falls 2
- 258 Post Road (Walmart), Westerly
Federal Hill Pizza
1039 Chalkstone Ave. Providence
How To Use Your EBT Card At Participating Restaurants In Rhode Island?
Using your Rhode Island food stamps or EBT card to purchase hot-prepared meals at participating restaurants and fast food chains is a simple and easy process. Here are the ways to use your EBT card at participating restaurants.
- The first and foremost step is to locate a participating restaurant or fast food chain near you. The eligible location will display a restaurant meal sign on their doors or windows.
- The next step is to purchase meals like breakfast, lunch or dinner at the restaurant with the help of your Rhode Island EBT card at checkout.
- Next when it comes to paying for your meal follow the instructions and enter your 4-digit PIN to complete the purchase. You will get the receipt to see the remaining balance on your Rhode Island SNAP benefits account.
How To Look For Participating Restaurants In Rhode Island That Accept EBT?
To determine if a restaurant in Rhode Island accepts EBT or SNAP benefits or not you can follow the below-mentioned steps carefully.
- Look For Signage: Restaurants that are accepting EBT will display a sticker or sign on their entrance or window that indicates that they accept SNAP benefits.
- Contact The Restaurant Directly: If you’re not sure whether a local restaurant in Rhode Island accepts EBT or not you can directly contact the store manager and learn if they accept EBT or food stamps for payment.
- Contact The EBT Customer Service: 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.
List Of Products That You Can/ Can’t Purchase With SNAP Benefits In Rhode Island
Here is the list of items that you can currently purchase with SNAP benefits anywhere throughout the country including Rhode Island. If you are enrolled in the food stamps program you can purchase food and beverages that you can take home and prepare to eat at home. This includes hot food or purchasing food at restaurants unless you are an RMP-approved recipient and purchasing food from RMP-enrolled restaurants.
Items That You Can Purchase With EBT Benefits
The following is the list of SNAP EBT-approved items that you can buy at any grocery store, farmers market or convenience chain.
- Dairy products like almond milk, cheese, milk, butter
- Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen or canned)
- Cooking oil such as vegetable or olive oil
- Poultry products like eggs and chicken
- Seafood like fish, lobster, shellfish
- Red meat like ribs, steak, ground beef,
- Desert such as cookies, brownies, ice cream
- Snack items including cold sandwiches, candy, chips, snack crackers
- Non-alcoholic beverages and energy drinks
- Bread and cereals such as tortillas, rice, bagels, pasta, oatmeal, pita bread, rye bread
- Pork products like tenderloin, bacon, sausages, chops
- Seeds and plants to produce food.
Items That You Cannot Purchase With Your EBT Benefits
The following is the list of products that you cannot purchase with your EBT card in Rhode Island.
- 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.
Fast Food Restaurants That Accept EBT (According To States)
Besides Rhode Island, there are many fast-food restaurants in various states that accept EBT from SNAP recipients.
California
Following is the list of restaurants that are accepting EBT in California.
- Burger King
- Carl’s Jr.
- Church’s Chicken
- Del Taco
- Denny’s
- Domino’s Pizza
- El Pollo Loco
- Great Steaks
- Jack-In-The-box
- Jamba Juice
- KFC
- Papa Murphy’s
- Popeyes
- Pizza Hut
- Subway
- Taco Bell
- Wendy’s
The participating quantities that accept EBT are Alameda, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara And Santa Cruz County. You can learn more about the exhaustive list of restaurants that take EBT in California as well as the participating locations in our next guide.
Arizona
Following is the list of restaurants in Arizona that accept EBT as a method of payment for SNAP beneficiaries.
- 24th St. Pizza And Gyros
- Blimpie
- Dairy Queen
- Denny’s
- El Pollo Loco
- Fat Sub
- Golden Corral
- Jimmy And Joe’s Pizzeria
- Papa Murphy’s
- Papa John’s
- Taco Bell
- Tasty Box
- Waba Grill
- Uncle Sam’s
- Rally’s Hamburgers
- Helpings Cafe And Market
- Jack-In-The-Box
Alabama
Alabama has limited participation in the Restaurant Meals Program. SNAP recipients can find only a few fast-food chains that accept EBT in Alabama.
Georgia
Georgia has limited participation in the Restaurant Meals Program. As per Yelp reviews only a handful of fast-food chains in Georgia accept EBT from SNAP beneficiaries and this includes Subway, Taco Bell, Papa John’s, and Denny’s to name a few.
Hawaii
A lot of Hawaiian cities are involved in the Restaurant Meals Program to enable disabled, elderly and homeless individuals to purchase or prepare meals and this 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 near Kansas City MO. You can head to our guide to learn about the participating locations and the restaurants.
Maryland
The Maryland Department of Human Services has been approved for the Restaurant Meals Program however the state is now accepting applications for restaurants to participate and only one or two restaurants have been RMP-approved. Once the comprehensive list of all fast-food restaurants that accept EBT in Maryland becomes available we will update the list.
Michigan
Michigan has announced its decision to enroll in the Restaurant Meals Program in December 2020 and only a handful of restaurants in the state are accepting EBT as a method of payment. Not much information is available about fast food chains that accept EBT however we will update the post as soon as more information about Michigan restaurants that accept EBT becomes available.
Illinois
Illinois has limited participation in the Restaurant Meals Program and only a handful of locations are accepting EBT for restaurant meals. You can read our next guide to learn about the list of fast-food restaurants that accept EBT in Illinois. Illinois has approved RMP in Franklin and Cook counties with the following zip codes 60619, 60620, 60628 and 60617.
Massachusetts
The state of Massachusetts is enrolled in the Restaurant Meals Program and accepts EBT benefits in seven communities. 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.
New York
New York has newly enrolled in the Restaurant Meals Program. 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.
Virginia
A handful of Subway locations in Virginia are participating in the Restaurant Meals Program and accept EBT as a method of payment. Virginia is newly enrolled in the initiative however it is expected that more restaurants may enroll in the program soon.
How To Purchase Groceries Online With Rhode Island EBT Card?
The USDA has launched an Online Purchasing Pilot Program to enable recipients to shop for groceries and food items with their EBT card conveniently. The federal government has also approved Rhode Island SNAP recipients this year to purchase food items and groceries with their EBT cards online.
In other words, if you are a resident of Rhode Island you can use your EBT card or food stamp benefits to pay for SNAP-eligible groceries and food items for delivery or pickup at participating online retailers. The participating retailers that accept Rhode Island EBT card online are as follows:
ALDI
SNAP recipients living in Rhode Island can purchase groceries and SNAP-eligible food items online at ALDI for delivery or pickup through Instacart.
Amazon
SNAP recipients living in Rhode Island can use their food stamp benefits to shop online at Amazon. To shop at Amazon you need to register your SNAP EBT card to your Amazon account. EBT cardholders also get 50% off on Amazon Prime membership. It is important to note that you cannot use your food stamp benefits to cover the cost of delivery or service charges.
Walmart
Anyone can use their Rhode Island EBT card to purchase groceries online at Walmart. Walmart also accepts in-store purchases as well as online delivery. Walmart stores provide pickup and home delivery options in these areas: stores are Westerly, North Kingstown, North Smithfield, Coventry, Providence, Warwick, Cranston and so on.
BJ’s Wholesale Club
BJ’s Wholesale Club is now accepting food stamp benefits or Rhode Island EBT cards from SNAP beneficiaries. To learn more information about its pilot program in Rhode Island you can visit its official website.
Stop & Shop
Stop & Shop grocery stores are accepting food stamp benefits online for grocery pickup or delivery through Instacart. The grocery chain has partnered with Instacart to enable recipients purchase SNAP-eligible goods with their food stamp benefits.
Read our next guide about fast-food restaurants that take EBT payments in Nevada.
Rhode Island Food Retailers That Accept EBT Card (In-Store Purchase)
Apart from online shopping you can use your EBT card for in-store purchases at the following retailers:
- Corner Store
- Walgreens
- Family Dollar
- Tom’s Market
- Dollar Tree
- Super Mart Convenience Store
- Sam’s Food Stores
- ALDI
- Walmart Supercenter
- Trader Joe’s
- Oakland market
- Sam’s Club
- 711
- Rite Aid
- West Warwick Farmers Market
- Coventry Mart
- Mega Milk Mart
It is important to note that this is not the comprehensive list of retailers that accept EBT in Rhode Island. To get a comprehensive list you can use the SNAP Retailer Locator.
How To Apply For Food Stamp Benefits In Rhode Island?
The eligibility for food stamp benefits in Rhode Island depends on a variety of factors such as household income, household size, and assets in compliance with federal guidelines.
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Fulfill Their Eligibility Criteria
The first and foremost step is to fulfill the eligibility criteria for the food stamp program in Rhode Island.
- Income Criteria: As of 2023 federal guidelines, the gross monthly income limit for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Rhode Island is set at 185% of the federal poverty level. The income limit is $198,641 per person household and $408,644 per household.
- Resource Criteria: Households are required to meet the resource criteria including bank and cash account and other assets. The accountable resource limit is $2500 for most households whereas for elderly and disabled households it is set at $3750.
- Other Criteria: Some other eligibility criteria require citizens to fulfill their residency, citizenship or eligible non-citizen status and work requirements.
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Fulfill The Application Process
The application process for the SNAP program in Rhode Island can be completed online, in-person or by mail at the local DHS office. Applicants have to provide specific information for the application that relates to their identity, Social Security number, income details, residency proof and so on.
You can submit your documents and application online through the Healthy Rhode Island portal, in-person at the local DHS office or by mailing to the DHS. Once approved, benefits will be distributed through the Electronic Benefits Transfer card and you can use the card similar to a debit card at authorized places.
How To Check Your Rhode Island EBT Card Balance?
It is critical to remember that before you use your Rhode Island EBT card at an eligible fast-food location, restaurant or grocestoreres you must check the available balance to avoid guesswork and embarrassing situations. Your EBT card is an easy and quick way to find out. Here are the ways through which you can check the EBT card balance in Rhode Island.
- You can call the Rhode Island EBT Card phone number at 1-888-979-9939.
- You can use your last purchase receipt or visit an ATM in-person to learn about your Rhode Island EBT card balance
- Visit the Rhode Island SNAP website and log in to check the current EBT benefits balance.
Conclusion
The Rhode Island Restaurant Meals Program covers elderly, disabled and homeless SNAP recipients and enables them to access prepared meals using their food stamp benefits. If you can fulfill the eligibility criteria and have an active Rhode Island EBT card you can use your cash assistance benefits or food stamps to purchase food at participating locations. Rhode Island restaurants that accept EBT are Federal Hill pizza and Subway locations. Our guide has thrown light on the list of participating locations that are accepting EBT as a method of payment in Rhode Island. It is also important to keep in mind that you need to meet the eligibility criteria for the Restaurant Meals Program to use your EBT benefits. We will update the post as information about more restaurants participating in the RMP initiative becomes available.
We hope this guide on the fast food chains and restaurants that accept EBT in Rhode Island was helpful to you. If you have more questions about the restaurants that are eligible for the Restaurant Meals Program then you can learn from our articles at Get Government Grants section today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mcdonald’s Take EBT In Rhode Island?
Only Federal Hill Pizza and Subway locations in Rhode Island accept EBT from SNAP beneficiaries. McDonald’s participation in RMP may vary from one state to another. McDonald’s is accepting EBT only in selectArizona and California locations in America.
Where Can I Pay Online With an EBT Card In Rhode Island?
Fortunately, Rhode Island participates in USDA’s Online Purchasing Pilot Program that enables EBT cardholders to use food stamp benefits for online purchasing at Amazon, Walmart, BJ’s Wholesale Club, ALDI etc. It is important to note that you cannot cover the cost of delivery fees and service charges with your EBT card.
How Can I Get A New EBT Card In Rhode Island?
If your Rhode Island EBT card is stolen, lost or damaged then you can request a replacement card by contacting EbtEdge at 1-888-979-9939. Replacement EBT cards in Rhode Island are no longer available for pickup at the local DHS office.
Does Subway Accept EBT In Rhode Island?
Not all states have a Restaurant Meals Program and not all Subway locations participate in it. However a handful of Arizona, California and Rhode Island locations have Subway restaurants that accept EBT benefits through the Restaurant Meals Program.