Restaurant Meals Program

What is the Restaurant Meals Program and who does it serve?

The following people are eligible to use CalFresh/EBT at businesses participating in the Restaurant Meals Program for hot and/or prepared meals.

People that get CalFresh and are:

  • Older adults, aged 60 or older and their in-home spouses;

  • People with disabilities and their in-home spouses;

  • People experiencing homelessness

This historically has not been applicable in Humboldt County, as we did not have any businesses participating in the program. It has finally changed, and Burger King now participates. We will update as we learn if/when additional restaurants join in.

Why do some people qualify to use their CalFresh/EBT for the Restaurant Meals Program and some do not?

  • Eligibility to use CalFresh in the Restaurant Meals Program depends on how your CalFresh case is classified.

  • If your CalFresh case was documented as being a person age 60+, or with a disability, or experiencing homeless, you are automatically eligible for the Restaurant Meals Program.

  • Eligibility for the Restaurant Meals Program can be allowed or ended at any point in the case based on changes to these three circumstances.

  • CalFresh approval notices will say when the Restaurant Meals Program is approved for a household.

  • You might see a restaurant with a “We Accept EBT” sign in the window and wonder why your card didn’t work. The above reasons of who qualifies, and how a case is classified, determine who can actually use CalFresh/EBT at the restaurant for the Restaurant Meals Program.

What if I do not qualify for the Restaurant Meals Program?

  • You can still buy some cold prepared foods that are checked out as grocery items at places like Papa Murphy’s—just like always.