Does McDonald’s Accept EBT/Food Stamps? Answered

Does McDonald’s Accept EBT?

McDonald’s does not accept EBT/food stamps at most locations. However, a few McDonald’s locations in California accept EBT as a part of the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program (RMP).

The CalFresh RMP allows some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to buy meals at individual, participating restaurant locations. To qualify for the CalFresh RMP, you must be either elderly, disabled, or homeless.

We confirmed this information with benefits agencies in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, and San Luis Obispo counties. To find out whether a McDonald’s location in your area takes EBT or to see the full list of participating CalFresh RMP restaurants, check with your county agency or log into California’s EBT cardholder portal.

See our related research for more information on what you can and can’t buy with your EBT card.

Other Places That Take EBT

While only select McDonald’s locations in California take EBT, California is not the only state with a Restaurant Meals Program. For more information about RMPs, including which states have one, see our research on restaurants that take EBT.

If your state’s SNAP program doesn’t allow restaurant meals, find other places where you can use your card in our list of stores that accept EBT.