The six US states where you can use food stamp SNAP benefits to buy restaurant meals

HERE are six US states where folks can use their food stamp Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to buy restaurant meals.

Around 42million Americans across the country receive SNAP benefits.

The program ensures households can put food on the table and recipients get a pre-loaded card allowing them to buy groceries.

Each state runs its SNAP program differently, but you need to reside in the state to apply.

Now, restaurants in six states are now participating in the SNAP program, offering recipients discounts on meals.

The SNAP restaurant meals program is a special state-run program that allows elderly, homeless, and disabled SNAP recipients to purchase food at SNAP authorized restaurants.

The program was created for those who do not have a place to store, cook food, are not able to prepare food or don’t have access to a grocery store to shop for food.

Arizona, Rhode Island and California participate in a SNAP Restaurant Meals Program.

Other states like Maryland, Michigan and Virginia offer the restaurant meals program in select cities or counties.

Illinois and New York have passed laws allowing each state social services agency to apply to the federal program.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has introduced two new programs to help restaurants stay afloat while also feeding families in need.

To join the SNAP restaurant meals program, states must prove to the US Department of Agriculture that some high-needs residents aren’t well-served by traditional food benefits.

The program then allows members of three target populations: adults over 60, people with disabilities, and homeless people, plus their spouses, to eat at low-cost, state-certified restaurants.

Chains, such as Subway and McDonald’s, participate in the program in select states.

HOW TO APPLY FOR FOOD STAMPS

You must apply for SNAP in the state where you currently live.

Each state has a different application form and process.

Generally, SNAP is limited to people with gross incomes up to 130% of the federal poverty line.

This currently starts at $12,880 for a single-person household and increases depending on the family size.

For example, the poverty threshold for a four-person household is $26,500.

There are also other requirements that states can set, such as how much you have in your bank account.

You can see poverty guidelines on the US Department of Health website.