Hailing from the sunny shores of the West Coast, In-N-Out Burger is popular for its use of the freshest ingredients and simple menu consisting of burgers, french fries, and shakes. However, In-N-Out has gained a cult following for its “Not So Secret Menu” which features the most famous custom orders such as Animal Style burgers and fries.
This iconic burger chain has sparked a curious question among many: Does In-N-Out accept EBT? Therefore, in this blog, we will explore the implications of In-N-Out’s stance on EBT. Along with that, you will find answers to all your questions about the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program.
Does In-n-Out Burger Accept EBT?
In-N-Out Burger does not accept EBT payments in any of its stores in the US, not even in states that participate in the Restaurant Meals Program. In-N-Out Burger is not an authorized retailer for the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program and therefore SNAP recipients cannot use their EBT cards to buy hot foods in its stores.
Read along to better understand why In-N-Out Burger does not take EBT.
As you must know, the SNAP benefits program was introduced in the US to help low-income families and individuals buy groceries to prepare meals for themselves. Moreover, SNAP recipients are not allowed to use their EBT cards to buy fast food or any hot food meant for immediate consumption. Because of this reason, it is not possible to purchase fast food with EBT in most states.
However, there is an exception to this rule. It is only for certain individuals, such as the elderly, people with disabilities, or the homeless, who are not able to prepare meals for themselves, and so must purchase cooked food from restaurants. This is where the Restaurant Meals Program comes in.
Under the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), only authorized restaurants are allowed to sell hot and prepared food to qualifying SNAP recipients. Since In-N-Out Burger is not an RMP-authorized retailer, it can not serve hot foods to SNAP recipients.
Alternative Fast Food Restaurants That Accept SNAP EBT
Although you cannot buy burgers at In-N-Out Burger with your EBT cards, you can still buy fast food meals at other restaurants that accept EBT. But remember you can only buy hot meals at fast food restaurants if you qualify for the Restaurant Meals Program.
Here are ten famous alternatives to In-N-Out Burger where you can use your EBT card to buy hot foods:
- McDonald’s
- Domino’s Pizza
- KFC
- Del Taco
- El Pollo Loco
- Subway
- Burger King
- Jack in the Box
- Carl Jr.
- Pizza Hut
You must remember that not all of the fast food chains mentioned above take EBT payments at all of their locations. So, you should always call ahead or check with an employee to see if your local restaurant accepts EBT.
What Payment Methods Are Accepted at In-N-Out Burger?
Although In-N-Out Burger does not accept EBT payments, it offers a variety of other payment options to its customers. These include:
Cash: You can pay via cash for in-store and drive-thru orders.
Debit and credit cards: You can use your Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express (Amex) card to pay for your food at In-N-Out Burger. It also accepts prepaid cards.
Contactless payment options: You can use Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and PayPal to pay for all your orders at the counter, drive-thru, or online.
In-N-Out Gift Cards: In-N-Out Burger also accepts gift cards. You can buy these gift cards and load them with a certain amount of money. They can be later used to pay for your food.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Which restaurants are not authorized for the RMP?
In addition to In-N-Out Burger, there are other fast-food restaurants that do not take EBT payments. This is because they are not authorized to participate in the RMP program.
Here is a list of restaurants that are not authorized for the RMP:
- A&W Restaurants
- Arby’s
- Chick-fil-A
- Chipotle
- Cinnabon
- Dunkin’ Donuts
- Einstein Bros. Bagels
- Five Guys
- Hardee’s
- Krispy Kreme
- Long John Silver’s
- Panda Express
- Panera Bread
- Qdoba Mexican Grill
- Shake Shack
- Starbucks
- TCBY
- Tim Hortons
- Whataburger
- Wingstop
- WingStreet
- Zaxby’s
What is the Restaurant Meals Program?
The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is an extension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or food stamps. This program was introduced to offer government aid to the most vulnerable populations who are at risk of chronic hunger. It helps those who are unable to cook meals for themselves or lack the resources to do so. Hence, RMP allows them to utilize their monthly food benefits in their EBT cards to purchase hot and ready-to-eat meals from authorized restaurants.
Read More: Fast Food Restaurants That Accept EBT
Under the RMP, participating restaurants are prohibited from charging any additional costs on meals bought with an EBT card such as sales tax or tips. It is important to note that you will not get any extra food benefits as part of the program.
Currently, RMP is not available everywhere in the US and varies from state to state. As of now, it is only available in 7 states:
- Arizona
- California
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
Who can buy hot meals with their EBT card?
Anyone who is eligible for the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program can use their EBT card to purchase hot meals from an authorized restaurant.
You can qualify for the Restaurant Meals Program if you receive SNAP benefits and have a valid EBT card. And, belong to one of the following categories:
- an elderly, i.e., a 60-year-old adult or older,
- a person who is disabled,
- the spouse of an individual from one of the above categories, or
- a person experiencing homelessness.
How do I find fast food restaurants that accept EBT near me?
One of the easiest methods to check if your restaurant accepts EBT, you can look around for the Restaurant Meals Program sign in the store. This is because all RMP authorized restaurants are asked to display the sign on their doors or windows. If you still cannot find the sign, you can ask an employee if they take EBT before ordering your food.
Another great way is by using the SNAP Retailer Locator. You can use the SNAP Retailer Locator to search for a fast food restaurant that accepts EBT near you. On the search tab, you can type in the address or choose a location on the map. You can also use filters like “Restaurants,” “Food,” or “Cash” to narrow down your search results.
You can also contact your local county office and ask for a list of authorized restaurants in your area that participate in the RMP.
How can I pay with an EBT Card at a restaurant?
As already mentioned, you can pay with your EBT card at a restaurant only if you are eligible for the RMP program and the restaurant is an RMP-authorized retailer.
Paying with your EBT card is no different than paying with a debit or credit card. All you need to do is tell the cashier that you will be paying with your EBT card before ordering. Once you are done ordering, just swipe your EBT card at the register and enter the four digit EBT PIN. The cashier can sometimes ask you for an ID confirmation just as a precaution. Except for that, you will be good to go and enjoy your meal.
How can I check my EBT balance?
It is always better to check your EBT balance before placing an order to avoid any embarrassing situation. The best way to do that is by safely keeping the receipt from your previous purchase. This is because that receipt will display the remaining balance in your EBT card account. Another way is calling the EBT Customer Service number. You can anytime call the toll-free EBT Customer Service number at 1-877-328-9677 (TTY: 1-800-735-2929). This service is available 24/7 and in ten different languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, and Farsi.
In a Nutshell
In-N-Out Burger does not accept EBT payments in its stores in the US, even in states that participate in the Restaurant Meals Program. This is because SNAP recipients are not allowed to use their EBT cards to buy fast food or hot food meant for immediate consumption. However, there is an exception for certain individuals, such as the elderly, people with disabilities, or the homeless, who cannot prepare meals for themselves and must purchase cooked food from restaurants.
The Restaurant Meals Program allows eligible SNAP recipients to use their monthly food benefits in their EBT cards to purchase hot and ready-to-eat meals from authorized restaurants. Some of the fast-food restaurants that accept EBT include McDonald’s, Domino’s Pizza, KFC, Del Taco, El Pollo Loco, and Subway.
