Surely, whenever you are at Jack in the Box, and you’re faced with an inviting dilemma. What’s your ultimate pick? Will it be the sizzling Jack’s spicy chicken, the oh-so-delicious mini churros, the classic Jumbo Jack, or perhaps the perfectly seasoned curly fries? At Jack in the Box, they are experts at combining convenience with delectable meals. They have something for everyone.
But what about those who rely on government assistance programs like SNAP or food stamps? Can they utilize their food benefits to grab a meal at Jack in the Box? In this blog, we will dive into the details and answer the burning question: Does Jack in the Box accept EBT?
In this post, you will find everything you need to know about the Jack in the Box locations that accept EBT payments. Also, who can qualify to buy hot meals from Jack in the Box with their EBT cards and some helpful tips for maximizing your EBT benefits at the restaurant.
Does Jack in the Box accept EBT payments?
Short Answer: Yes, Jack in the Box accepts EBT as payment at authorized locations in the states of California and Arizona. The locations are approved by the USDA to accept EBT payments under the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). To pay using your EBT card at Jack in the Box, you must live in one of the states participating in the RMP, be enrolled in the program, and find an RMP-approved Jack in the Box location near you.
With over 2,200 locations, Jack In The Box is a popular fast-food restaurant chain based in California in the United States. You will come across the majority of the Jack in the Box restaurants on the West Coast, specifically in California, Arizona, and Washington.
Unfortunately, only 25% of Jack in the Box locations accept EBT payments. To understand why, you need to understand how the Restaurant Meals Program is administered in the states. For any Jack in the Box restaurant to start accepting EBT payments, it must first get the approval of the relevant state agency to become an authorized RMP location.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) gives each state the authority over who is eligible for the RMP and which fast-food outlets should be permitted.
This further explains why you can not pay with your EBT card at Jack in the Box restaurants in the RMP-participating states of Rhode Island, Michigan, Maryland, and Illinois. Jack in the Box is not an authorized RMP retailer in those states.
Therefore, you can only use your EBT card to pay for your food at a Jack in the Box restaurant if you live in the states of California and Arizona and take part in the RMP program. Even yet, there may be certain Jack In The Box locations in the two states that do not accept EBT.
Jack in the Box may soon be available in more states as several other states are developing their own RMPs. We will make sure to keep you updated on any new additions.
Let’s take a look at the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program in more detail.
Restaurant Meals Program
If this is your first time hearing about the Restaurant Meals Program, here is a quick overview.
The Restaurant Meals Program is an extension of another federal initiative, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. The RMP was specially introduced to assist the most vulnerable populations who may be at risk of chronic hunger.
The purpose of the program was to support individuals and families who find it hard to prepare meals for themselves or do not have a place to cook or store food. To achieve its goal, the RMP allows disadvantaged people to utilize their EBT food benefits to purchase hot and ready-to-eat meals from RMP-authorized restaurants.
In 1978, the RMP was originally introduced to aid the elderly and people with disabilities who receive SNAP benefits with the option to buy prepared meals from participating restaurant vendors. But later, in 1996, the scope of the program was revised to include SNAP recipients who are homeless.
Contact your local social services county office for more information about the SNAP RMP.
Who Can Buy Jack in the Box Meals with EBT?
As we have already explained, you need to be eligible for the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program to purchase hot meals from Jack in the Box using your EBT card.
All SNAP recipients with a valid EBT card are eligible for the RMP if they fall under one of the following categories:
- an elderly (60-year-old adult or older),
- a person with a disability,
- the spouse of someone in one of the above categories, or
- a homeless person.
Usually, if you are eligible for the RMP, your caseworker will automatically activate your EBT card to be used at RMP-authorized restaurants. If your card is denied, you should reach out to them to fix the issue.
Does Jack in the Box Accept EBT for Online Payments?
No, Jack In The Box does not accept EBT for online payments. You can only use your EBT cards for in-store food purchases. It also means you can not order food delivery online or via their app using your EBT card.
Moreover, food delivery services like Instacart, Uber Eats, and Doordash also do not participate in the RMP program. So, you can not use them to order food delivery or pick-up from Jack in the Box.
This is because many U.S. states, including California and Arizona, only allow a small fraction of SNAP recipients to use their EBT card to purchase hot or prepared foods. Instead, you will have to use a different payment method, like a debit/credit card to order food online.
Which Jack in the Box Locations Accept EBT?
Currently, California and Arizona are the only two states with an extensive Restaurant Meals Program in the country. Therefore, you will find the majority of RMP-authorized Jack in the Box locations in these states.
As of now, there are 547 Jack in the Box restaurants that accept EBT payments. Here is an extensive list of all the locations grouped by county:
How to Use an EBT Card at a Jack in the Box Restaurant?
As we have already discussed, you can use your EBT card to purchase hot meals at a Jack in the Box restaurant only if you qualify for the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program. So, if you live in one of the two states of California or Arizona, you can essentially buy any meal sold at an RMP-approved Jack in the Box restaurant near you.
Follow these easy steps to purchase food with your EBT card from Jack in the Box:
Find a nearby participating outlet: To use your EBT card at Jack in the Box, you need to start by finding an outlet that accepts EBT food benefits. You can check for a window or door with an RMP sign or ask an employee if that location accepts EBT. Otherwise, you can use the SNAP Retailer Locator to search for a restaurant that accepts EBT in your area.
Check your EBT balance: You will not face any issues unless your EBT card has insufficient balance. The best way to avoid such embarrassment is to keep the receipt from your last purchase, as it displays the remaining balance in your EBT account.
Instead, you can call the EBT Customer Service number at 1-877-328-9677 (TTY: 1-800-735-2929). It is a 24/7, free service available in ten languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, and Farsi.
Order your food: Once you are ready to order, place your order at the register.
Inform the cashier: Always inform your cashier that you will be paying with an EBT card. This will help you to avoid any unexpected mishap later.
Make the payment: The cashier will swipe your card and ask you to enter the EBT PIN. Finally, to complete the purchase, simply enter your secret four-digit EBT PIN. And that’s all!
Does Jack in the Box Accept EBT Payments for Drive-thru Orders?
Most of the Jack in the Box restaurants that take part in the RMP program will accept EBT for their drive-thru orders. All you need to do is go to one of the locations on our list, place your order at the drive-thru, and swipe your EBT card to pay.
However, we would recommend calling ahead of time and asking if they support EBT payments at their drive-thru. One of the employees will most likely be able to walk you through the payment process and also give all the necessary details, if any.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your EBT Benefits at Jack in the Box
If you want to make the most of your EBT benefits at Jack in the Box, you must be mindful of your budget and make smart choices. Here are some tips that can help you:
Check if they accept EBT: Obviously, it’s always a good idea to check if the restaurant accepts EBT payments. So, you should call ahead or check their website to be sure the restaurant you are going to takes EBT.
Go for value menu items: Usually, Jack in the Box offers a value menu with cheaper alternatives. GO for these items to stretch your benefits further.
Avoid combo meals: At most fast food restaurants, combo meals can cost more than ordering each item separately. To save money, avoid the combos and order individual items.
Keep an eye out for promotions and discounts: From time to time, Jack in the Box offers special promotions or discounts on certain menu items. Watch out for these deals to save more on your benefits.
Do not ask for add-ons: Requesting add-ons like extra toppings, sauces, or sides, can further add to your bill. Avoid unnecessary add-ons to stay inside your budget.
Alternative Payment Methods Accepted at Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box accepts both cash and card payments for in-store and drive-through orders in all its restaurant locations across the country. It takes most major debit cards as well as credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express (Amex). You can also use digital payment methods like Apple Pay for in-store purchases.
However, for online delivery orders, Jack in the Box only allows debit or credit cards as payment options.
Additionally, you can use a Jack in the Box gift card to pay for in-store and drive-through orders. It has yet to take gift cards for online payments.
Looking For Alternatives? These Additional Fast Food Restaurants Also Accept EBT.
We understand that folks who do not live in California or Arizona cannot use their EBT cards to purchase hot meals from Jack in the Box. But, do not worry; you still have plenty of other choices.
If you live in a state without an RMP-approved Jack in the Box location, or if the closest one is too far away, you can still buy meals at other fast food joints with RMP approval.
Here’s a list of other fast-food restaurants that accept EBT in the US:
- McDonald’s
- KFC
- Pizza Hut
- Taco Bell
- Domino’s Pizza
- Burger King
- Carl’s Jr.
- Subway
- Papa John’s Pizza
- Wendy’s
- El Pollo Loco
- Church’s Chicken
- Del Taco
Final Takeaways
Jack in the Box accepts EBT payments at authorized locations in the states of California and Arizona. However, only 547 of their locations accept EBT payments. To use your EBT card at a Jack in the Box restaurant, you must live in one of the RMP-participating states, be enrolled in the program, and find an RMP-approved Jack in the Box location near you.
Jack in the Box does not accept EBT for online payments, only for in-store food purchases. Food delivery services like Instacart, Uber Eats, and Doordash do not participate in the RMP program, so you will need to use a different payment method, such as a debit/debit card or Apple Pay.
Most Jack in the Box restaurants that participate in the RMP program will also accept EBT for drive-thru orders.
