Restaurant Meals Program

The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) allows some people aged 60 or older, and their spouses; individuals with disabilities, and their spouses; as well as those experiencing homelessness to purchase prepared meals at participating restaurants with their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), along with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), manage the program in New York State. Local departments of social services are responsible for identifying eligible households and updating their SNAP cases.

You may be eligible if you receive SNAP benefits and you are aged 60 or older (or the spouse of someone who is), have a disability (or are the spouse of someone who does), or are experiencing homelessness.

If you think you should be eligible, contact your local department of social services.

No, you do not need to apply for RMP. If eligible, your SNAP case will automatically be updated so you may use your SNAP EBT card to purchase meals at participating restaurants.

No, your monthly SNAP benefit allotment will not change because you participate in RMP. You should carefully budget your SNAP benefits each month if you decide to use some benefits to purchase meals at a participating restaurant.

SNAP EBT transactions will be declined for two reasons:

1. You are not eligible for RMP. Contact your local department of social services if you believe you should be eligible for RMP.
2. You do not have enough available SNAP benefits to cover the cost of your meal. It is important that you make sure you have enough available SNAP benefits before purchasing a meal at a participating restaurant.

If your SNAP EBT transaction is declined after placing your order, please be prepared to pay for the meal using a different payment method (e.g., cash, credit or debit card).

You can check your EBT balance by visiting www.ebtEDGE.com, using the ebtEDGE app, or by calling 1-888-328-6399.

No, restaurants should not charge tax or tip for meals purchased using SNAP benefits through RMP. You will also receive a 10% discount when using your SNAP benefits to purchase a meal at a participating restaurant.

Yes, you can only use your SNAP benefits to purchase food and non-alcoholic beverages.