Do Fast Food Restaurants in Michigan Really Accept EBT Cards?

Maybe you've seen a sign on a McDonald's window or heard a rumor that fast food restaurants are now accepting EBT cards. But is it true here in Michigan?

What is EBT?

The SNAP or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides low-income individuals and family members with the necessary funding to purchase food. The program (which was formerly known as Food Stamps) helps approximately 1.3 Michigan residents obtain nutritious food in an effort to reduce food insecurity.

SNAP benefits are distributed monthly to EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards, which recipients use to purchase food items at qualifying retailers.

Restaurant Meals Program in Michigan

While participation in the federal Restaurant Meals Program is not mandatory, some states have opted in, allowing SNAP benefit recipients the opportunity to use EBT cards to purchase freshly prepared, hot meals from specific restaurants.

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Michigan's participation has varied throughout the years with the program being discontinued a few years ago and then reinstated in 2020.

Who Can Use SNAP Benefits at Michigan Restaurants?

Food Assistance Program (FAP) recipients are eligible to use SNAP benefits at authorized Michigan restaurants if they meet one of the following requirements, according to Michigan.gov:

• Be 60 years old or older
• Receives disability or blindness payments or disability retirement benefits from a government agency due to a disability that is considered permanent.
• Homeless
• Spouse of a FAP recipient who is eligible for the program.

What Fast Food Restaurants in Michigan Accept EBT?

Throughout Michigan, just 90 restaurants in 25 counties have been authorized for our state's Restaurant Meal Program.

Although the majority of the fast food offerings are from Subway (Subway is the only chain authorized in Genesee County), there are some cases where McDonald's, Domino's, Popeye's, and other restaurants have been authorized to participate.

Check this list from Michigan.gov to find out which restaurants in Michigan have been authorized to accept EBT payments.