Known for helping millions of low-income Americans buy food, the SNAP program is growing. So it’s only natural to wonder if the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) debit card for groceries can be used to buy food at fast food chains like McDonald’s.
While for those who rely on SNAP benefits, it can be difficult to find places that accept EBT cards to purchase prepared foods. McDonald’s is one of the fast food chains that accept EBT at some of its participating restaurants across the country, although this will depend on the state where you are located and the laws established by SNAP.
McDonald’s that accept EBT closest to me in Phoenix
While we don’t have a large list of McDonald’s that accept EBT in Phoenix, Arizona, the good news is that the ones we recommend below are available to you late at night. In fact, one of the addresses is open until 1 AM.
[wpdatatable id=397]McDonald’s that accepts EBT near me in San Diego
Here are 10 McDonald’s in San Diego where you can go with your EBT card. Best of all, most of them are available 24 hours a day, others until 10 PM, and another one until 12 AM.
[wpdatatable id=398]How do I find a McDonald’s near me that accepts EBT?
Before looking for a McDonald’s near your location that accepts EBT, you have to keep in mind that this payment method is only available in Arizona and California.
- Now, to find a specific location that accepts this method you will need to visit the following official website.
- Once there you will have to click on the “Locate” button that will direct you to the specialized search portal to find branches.
- In this portal, you will have to enter the current location within the search box that appears there. More specifically, you will be asked for your zip code, city, and state, or directly activate the location and GPS tracking.
- Once the list of nearby locations loads, click on “Filters” at the top left of the page. In this button, you should check the services offered there that you are interested in.
- The list of locations will be updated automatically. However, to find out if the location has EBT, you will have to contact them directly or check the payment methods accepted there.
- To achieve this you have to click on the location of your choice to see more details, such as address, phone number, hours of operation, and additional services offered.
How many McDonald’s are there that accept EBT?
It is really hard to give an exact figure on the number of McDonald’s that accept EBT, as these measures are constantly changing. However, what is worth clarifying is the fact that EBT is only accepted as a method of payment at McDonald’s in California and Arizona. This is due to the legal standards that allow EBT users to make payments with this method at McDonald’s, a company enrolled in the program.
It is important to note that not all U.S. states allow SNAP recipients to use their EBT benefits at fast food restaurants and that these regulations may change. Therefore, you may want to check your state’s regulations before seeking fast-food restaurants that accept EBT as a form of payment.
What other restaurants that accept EBT food stamps near me?
In addition to the ability to shop at supermarkets, the EBT payment program offers the ability to shop at some fast-food restaurants such as McDonald’s. There are other types of restaurants that may accept EBT as a form of payment under certain circumstances.
These restaurants must meet certain requirements and be approved by the state to accept EBT as a form of payment so the list is not extensive. Some of these restaurants that accept EBT under certain circumstances are:
- Subway
- Papa Murphy’s
- Pizza Hut
- KFC
- Starbucks (only for the purchase of certain packaged foods and beverages)
- Jamba Juice (in some states)
- Church’s Chicken
- Carl’s Jr.
- Del Taco
- Denny’s
- Domino’s Pizza
- El Pollo Loco
- Jack in the Box
- Sonic Drive-In
- Subway
- Taco Bell
- Wendy’s
It is essential to note that the acceptance of EBT as a form of payment in restaurants may vary by state and specific restaurant location. Therefore, you may want to check your state’s regulations and consult the restaurant before attempting to use EBT as a form of payment.
How much can I spend at McDonald’s With EBT?
For restaurants that accept EBT, such as McDonald’s, the amount you can spend on prepared foods may vary by state and SNAP program. It is recommended that you find out in advance how much you can spend with this payment method.
In some states, the limit for purchasing prepared foods with EBT at restaurants is $15 per day, while in other states there is no daily limit. However, there is a monthly limit on the total amount that can be spent on prepared foods.
Furthermore, it is important to note that SNAP stresses that using EBT to purchase fast food is not always the best option, since this money is intended to help beneficiaries purchase nutritious and healthy food. It is, therefore, recommended to choose healthy and nutritious food options instead of fast food.
Can I use my EBT card online to buy fast food?
Although it is sometimes possible to buy fast food with an EBT card, it is not currently possible to use it to buy online. This is because this purchase process can only be used to purchase eligible foods at participating stores and grocery stores in person.
However, some states are participating in pilot programs to allow SNAP beneficiaries to purchase food online at certain grocery retailers. These programs allow SNAP recipients to order food online and pay with their EBT card. The food is delivered through grocery delivery services or in-store pickup.
It is important to note that these pilot programs are limited and are not available in all states or at all grocery retailers. Therefore, if you are interested, you should check to see if your state is participating in a pilot program and if your preferred grocery retailer or restaurant is participating in the program.