Many people in the United States are asking – does McDonald’s take EBT food stamps payment. Before I answer this question, knowing what EBT is and how it works to get discounts on your meals is essential.
Yes! McDonald’s does accept EBT/ Food stamps. However, only some McDonald’s outlets accept EBT cards. Therefore, it’s always best to confirm with the outlets before placing an order. Let us first understand what McDonald’s EBT Food stamps are.
EBT cards help low-income families buy nutritious food in the United States. It is essential for their overall health and well-being. Also, this EBT card allows people to purchase food items at retail stores and restaurants. The government adds these cards with funds that people can use for their food purchases.
With the growing trend of online shopping and home delivery, many retailers have started to accept EBT and food stamps as a form of payment for food purchases. So, keep reading for EBT cardholders who now want to know which McDonald’s outlets accept EBT/food stamps.
What's In The Post
Does McDonald’s Accept EBT Or Stamps As A Payment Method?
Yes! Some McDonald’s outlets do accept EBT or stamps as a payment method. However, not all McDonald’s outlets participate in the EBT program. It’s always best to inquire with your local McDonald’s to see if they accept it as a payment method.
The reason why a small number of McDonald’s outlets accept EBT cards is that some of them are operated by individual franchise owners. These outlets are part of the restaurant participation program (RPM) through the USDA’s food and nutrition service.
The RPM program allows these outlets to accept EBT as payment for eligible food items. To use an EBT card at a participating McDonald’s outlet, customers present their EBT card and use it as a debit card. The amount will be deducted from their government assistance account.
Moreover, only eligible McDonald’s menu items can be purchased with EBT. Other things, such as restaurant merchandise, cannot be purchased with the card.
States That Have Restaurant Meal Program
The Restaurant Meal Program is a federal initiative. It allows individuals who receive food assistance benefits to purchase hot, prepared meals from participating restaurants. The purchase can be made using their EBT cards. The program is designed to help those without access to cooking facilities or facing food insecurity.
If you want to know which U.S. states offer restaurant meal programs, I’ve compiled the list for you. Check here:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
If you are from one of these listed states and interested in using an EBT card, it’s best to check with the McDonald’s outlets. They will also let you know what menu items are available for this purchase.
Can You Use EBT Cards At Any Fast Food Restaurant?
People who are looking for an answer – are there any fast food restaurants that accept EBT? Good news for them. Yes! Some fast food restaurants let you use EBT cards. Here are some of the names of the restaurants:
- KFC
- Pizza Hut
- Taco Bell
- Del Taco
- Church’s Chicken
- Burger King
- Blimpie
- Carl’s Jr.
- Subway
- Denny’s
- Dominos Pizza
- McDonald’s
- Jack in the Box
- Dairy Queen
It’s always best to check with the restaurant directly to confirm if they accept EBT cards before placing an order. Keep in mind that fast food restaurants that accept EBT cards may have limitations on the menu items you can purchase using your EBT card.
What Can You Buy With EBT Cards At McDonald’s?
At McDonald’s, you have a wide range of menu options to buy with EBT cards. A dollar menu, happy meals, and combo meals are available. Moreover, there are burgers, sandwiches, breakfast items, baked goods, desserts, and coffee that you can buy with EBT cards.
Purchasing at McDonald’s is quite simple. It’s just like how you use your debit card.Also, check which McDonald’s outlets are participating in the RMP program. You can buy your meals at those outlets with EBT cards.
Only select Arizona and California locations are RMP-approved McDonald’s restaurants. If you meet the requirements for the RMP in your state, you can purchase almost any menu item using food stamps.
Does McDonald’s Use EBT / Food Stamps While Online Ordering?
No, you can not use online EBT payments to order food delivery or pickup from McDonald’s.
McDonald’s works with food delivery apps such as DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub for McDelivery and pickup orders. These mobile delivery apps do not accept EBT payments for food delivery or pickup orders.
The other reason McDonald’s does not accept EBT payments for online orders is that they need to check the physical EBT card. So, if you are paying online, they will need access to check your EBT card. Therefore, visiting McDonald’s is mandatory to pick up your order after showing the card to the cashier.Besides this, if you want to know how to order from McDonald’s online on regular days, click here.
Can You Use Cash And EBT At A Time In McDonald’s?
You can pay with cash and an EBT card. However, it depends on a few factors. Firstly, ensure you are eligible to use both EBT cards and cash benefits for your purchase. Secondly, please verify with the McDonald’s outlet whether they accept EBT card payments.
Finally, it’s best to confirm with the cashier that they allow a combination of EBT and cash payment before placing your order. Not all EBT locations allow such transactions, so asking in advance is essential.
Other Payment Methods To Use At McDonald’s
There are many payment methods available at McDonald’s. Let’s discover what plans they accept other than EBT cards.
- Apple Pay: McDonald’s accepts Apple Pay. Use your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch by holding it near the payment terminal and paying for your meal.
- Google Pay: Pay using your Android phone or iPhone with just a few taps on the Google Pay app.
- McDonald’s App: Pay using McDonald’s app offers and rewards. Keep track of bonuses and special offers on your registered account and order food for pickup or delivery with the McDonald’s app.
- Debit Cards: Pay with your debit card by swiping or inserting it into the payment terminal.
- Credit Cards: Pay with your credit card at McDonald’s outlets. Find some credit card offers (if any) and pay for your order.
- Net Banking: You can also pay using online banking. If you do not have cards or cash, you can use your bank app and pay using net banking.
Conclusion
In this blog, I have thoroughly addressed the answer in the blog. I have covered all the aspects of using an EBT card at McDonald’s. Moreover, I have also explored the states participating in the RPM and whether EBT Cards can be used at any fast food restaurant.
Also, I have delved into what menu items you can buy using EBT cards at McDonald’s. This blog comprehensively looks at using EBT/food stamps at McDonald’s.
