Restaurant Meals Program for Snap Recipients
https://otda.ny.gov/programs/rmp/restaurant-owners/FAQ.asp
If you receive SNAP benefits, you may be eligible to buy prepared meals at some restaurants with your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.
The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) serves SNAP recipients who:
- May not have access to food preparation
- May not have storage resources
- Are unable to prepare meals for themselves
You can’t apply for RMP. If you meet one or more of the eligibility requirements, your SNAP case is automatically updated as eligible for the program.
Overview
The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) allows some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households the option to purchase prepared meals at participating restaurants with their SNAP benefits using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.
This program is designed to serve SNAP recipients who may not have access to food preparation or storage resources or may be unable to prepare meals for themselves.
Households using SNAP benefits to purchase meals at participating restaurants receive a 10% discount on the cost of their meal. When purchasing prepared meals at participating restaurants, households will be responsible for covering the entire, discounted cost of their meals.
To be eligible for the RMP, all members of the SNAP household must be either:
- Older adults, aged 60 or older and their spouses;
- People with disabilities and their spouses; or
- People experiencing homelessness.
You cannot apply for RMP. If you meet one or more of the requirements above your SNAP case will be automatically updated as RMP eligible. Households can check their own RMP eligibility status by visiting www.ebtEDGE.com and creating or logging into their account. If the household is creating a new ebtEDGE account, they will need their EBT card number, PIN, and an email address.
Clients can also check for the eligibility message for RMP on the ebtEDGE Mobile App.
Benefits
Those eligible for RMP receive a 10% discount when using their SNAP benefits to purchase meals at participating restaurants.
Restaurant Meals Program Frequently Asked Questions for SNAP Households
The following information provides answers to SNAP households’ most frequently asked questions.
What is the Restaurant Meals Program?
The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) allows some people aged 60 or older, and their spouses; individuals with disabilities, and their spouses; as well as those experiencing homelessness to purchase prepared meals at participating restaurants with their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.
The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), along with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) manage the program in New York State. Local departments of social services are responsible for identifying eligible households and updating their SNAP cases.
Am I eligible for RMP?
If you, or your spouse, are age 60 or older, have a disability, or are experiencing homelessness, you may be eligible to purchase meals at participating restaurants using your SNAP benefits.
You can check if you have been identified as RMP eligible by logging into your ebtEDGE account at www.ebtEDGE.com or through the ebtEDGE mobile app. If you have not already set up an ebtEDGE account, one can be created using your EBT card number, PIN, and an email address. Once logged into the home page, in the “Account Information” section, you will see a thumbs up icon with “Account is Restaurant Meal Program Eligible” if you are eligible for the RMP. If you are not eligible for the RMP, the “Account is Restaurant Meal Program Eligible” message will not appear in the “Account Information” section. You can also see the eligibility message for RMP on the ebtEDGE Mobile App.
If you don’t see “Restaurant Meals Program Eligible” in the “Cardholder Information” section, and believe you are eligible for RMP, you may contact your local department of social services to check if you are eligible.
Please note, if you are not eligible for RMP, you are responsible to pay the cost of any meal purchased at a restaurant.
Do I need to apply for RMP?
No, you do not need to apply for RMP. If eligible, your SNAP case will automatically be updated so you may use your SNAP EBT card to purchase meals at participating restaurants.
Will I receive more SNAP benefits each month because I am eligible for RMP?
No, your monthly SNAP benefit allotment will not change because you participate in RMP. You should carefully budget your SNAP benefits each month if you decide to use some benefits to purchase meals at a participating restaurant.
How do I find out if a restaurant is participating in RMP?
Restaurants participating in RMP will display the decal below on their doors or windows. For a complete list of participating restaurants visit: otda.ny.gov/programs/rmp/participating-restaurants/
What if my SNAP EBT transaction is declined at a RMP participating restaurant?
SNAP EBT transactions will be declined for two reasons:
- You are not eligible for RMP.
- Contact your local department of social services if you believe you should be eligible for RMP.
- You do not have enough available SNAP benefits to cover the cost of your meal. It is important that you make sure you have enough available SNAP benefits before purchasing a meal at a participating restaurant.
If your SNAP EBT transaction is declined after placing your order, please be prepared to pay for the meal using a different payment method (e.g., cash, credit or debit card).
How do I check my EBT card balance before ordering a meal at a RMP participating restaurant?
You can check your EBT balance by visiting www.ebtEDGE.com, using the ebtEDGE app, or by calling 1-888-328-6399.
Will I be charged tax or tip when I purchase a meal at a RMP participating restaurant?
No, restaurants should not charge tax or tip for meals purchased using SNAP benefits through RMP. You will also receive a 10% discount when using your SNAP benefits to purchase a meal at a participating restaurant.
Are there any restrictions on what I can buy at a RMP participating restaurant?
Yes, you can only use your SNAP benefits to purchase food, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Participating Restaurants
This webpage is regularly updated as new restaurants are added to the program. Please check back to see if restaurants have been added to your county.
Information for Restaurant Owners
Overview
The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) allows some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households to use their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to buy prepared meals at participating restaurants. This program is designed to serve SNAP recipients who may not have access to food preparation or storage resources or may be unable to prepare meals for themselves.
Restaurants with more than 50% of total gross retail sales that come from the sale of hot or cold prepared foods intended for immediate consumption may apply. If your restaurant is interested in participating in RMP, complete the RMP interest form. Upon submitting a completed interest form, restaurants will be contacted by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) and receive an agreement document.
What is the Restaurant Meals Program?
RMP allows some SNAP households to use their EBT card to buy prepared meals at participating restaurants. The program is available to people aged 60 or older, and their spouses; individuals with disabilities, and their spouses; as well as those experiencing homelessness.
OTDA, along with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) manage the program in New York State. Local departments of social services offices identify and designate eligible households.
Can my restaurant participate in RMP?
For the purpose of RMP, restaurants are businesses in which more than 50% of total gross retail sales come from the sale of hot or cold prepared foods intended for immediate consumption. Restaurants wanting to participate in RMP will need to enter into an agreement with OTDA and acquire federal authorization to accept SNAP benefits. In addition, participating restaurants must:
- Abide by the rules and regulations of USDA regarding SNAP benefit acceptance and redemption.
- Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and/or orders throughout the duration of participation in the program.
- Have a current public health operating permit and general liability insurance.
- Provide a 10% discount off all eligible menu items for SNAP EBT customers.
- Collect payment from customers via their SNAP EBT cards.
- Not include a service gratuity in the cost of the meals or accept SNAP benefits as payment of a gratuity.
- Not charge a sales or meals tax to any eligible customer who uses SNAP benefits to purchase a meal.
- Not accept SNAP benefits for the purchase of alcoholic beverages or any nonfood item.
- Install EBT equipment and/or software from an EBT certified processor. Restaurants must be available to service RMP customers within 60 calendar days of notification from OTDA acknowledging USDA-FNS authorization.
- Must be handicap accessible.
- Display RMP decal, provided by OTDA, on the restaurant’s door or window to inform of the business’s participation in the program.
- Surrender immediately all EBT equipment, software and/or hardware to the appropriate EBT vendor upon termination of the agreement with OTDA, or the revocation of authorization by USDA-FNS.
What steps must I take for my restaurant to participate in RMP?
Restaurants interested in participating in RMP must:
- Complete an online RMP interest form. Upon submitting a completed interest form, restaurants will be contacted by OTDA and receive an agreement document.
- Complete, sign and return the agreement to OTDA. When finalized, OTDA will return fully executed agreement to the applying restaurant. Upon receipt of the agreement, restaurants must request federal authorization to accept SNAP benefits.
- Complete the USDA FNS 252-2 form.
- Submit the form and a copy of the signed OTDA agreement to USDA FNS. Restaurants should mail their complete application package to:
Retailer Service Center
USDA Food and Nutrition Services
PO Box 7228
Falls Church, VA 22040 - Once federal approval is granted, submit a copy of the USDA FNS approval letter to OTDA.
- Obtain the necessary equipment to process EBT card transactions. Upon notifying OTDA that the necessary equipment has been purchased and in place, restaurants will be provided with a participating restaurant RMP window decal.
- Display the RMP window decal in a publicly visible location (e.g., door or window).
For more information on obtaining federal authorization to accept SNAP benefits visit: USDA FNS Restaurant Meals Program website.
How long does it take to become a participating RMP restaurant?
The entire process to become a participating RMP restaurant takes approximately 60 to 90 days.
Are there any fees restaurants must pay to participate in RMP?
There are no fees associated with participation in RMP, however, participating restaurants are responsible for the cost of obtaining EBT compatible point-of-sale (POS) devices. If a restaurant already uses equipment that accepts credit/debit cards, they can contact their TPP to ask about adding EBT to their service. There may be additional expenses to integrate EBT into their current commercial POS equipment. See SNAP EBT TPP Information for Retailers to learn about acquiring the right EBT POS for a participating restaurant.
Can multiple restaurants with the same owner participate in RMP?
Yes, multiple restaurants (up to 10) owned by the same proprietor can participate in RMP. Only one agreement is required under the same ownership, however, all locations must be listed in the agreement. The USDA FNS 252-2 form, to request authorization to accept SNAP benefits, provides space to list three locations—additional sites must be attached separately, using the same format. Restaurants do not need to have the same name, just the same ownership.
What happens if a participating restaurant changes ownership or closes for business?
The restaurant owner must notify OTDA and USDA FNS when a restaurant changes ownership or closes. This ensures that the authorization is cancelled immediately because authorization to accept SNAP benefits is NOT transferable. If the new owner is interested in participating in RMP, they must sign an agreement with OTDA and request federal authorization to accept SNAP benefits.
Please send any questions regarding restaurant participation in RMP to: NYSRMP@otda.ny.gov.
How will RMP eligible SNAP customers know that our restaurant participates in the program?
Upon notifying OTDA that federal authorization to accept SNAP benefits was approved and the necessary POS equipment has been acquired, restaurants will be provided with a participating restaurant RMP window decal to display in a publicly visible location (e.g., door or window). In addition, RMP eligible SNAP recipients are directed to the OTDA RMP website for an up-to-date list of participating restaurants. In addition, RMP-eligible SNAP clients may receive information about their eligibility for RMP in their SNAP client notices.
How long does it take to be reimbursed for EBT card transactions?
Meals purchased with an EBT card are usually reimbursed within 48 hours. For more information about RMP related reimbursements, call the EBT Retailer Service Center number at (877) 823-4369.
How do restaurants know if a customer can purchase meals with SNAP benefits?
RMP eligible SNAP customers’ cases will be updated to allow their EBT cards to be accepted at participating restaurants. If the customer is eligible and has sufficient funds in their SNAP account, the transaction will be approved. If the customer is ineligible or there are not enough funds available, the transaction will be declined.
Please note, EBT compatible POS devices do not provide information about SNAP customers’ RMP eligibility. Households can check their own RMP eligibility status by visiting www.ebtEDGE.com and creating or logging into their account. If the household is creating a new ebtEDGE account, they will need their EBT card number, PIN, and an email address. Once logged into the home page, in the “Account Information” section, the cardholder will see a thumbs up icon with “Account is Restaurant Meal Program Eligible” if the household is eligible for the RMP. If the household is not eligible for the RMP, the “Account is Restaurant Meal Program Eligible” message will not appear in the “Account Information” section. Clients can also see the eligibility message for RMP on the ebtEDGE Mobile App.
Individuals who plan to use their EBT card to purchase a meal through RMP may receive a notice from their local department of social services informing them that they are eligible for RMP.
How can I assist a customer whose EBT card was declined?
SNAP EBT transactions will be declined for two reasons, (1) the household is not eligible for RMP, or (2) the household does not have enough available SNAP benefits to cover the cost of their meal. If a SNAP customer’s transaction is declined, they are expected to purchase the meal with another form of payment (e.g., credit card or cash). Restaurants may direct customers to contact their local department of social services with any questions relating to RMP eligibility.
Can participating restaurants accept mixed transactions?
Yes. POS equipment enabled to accept EBT transactions can process both EBT SNAP and cash assistance benefits, as well as credit card transactions. However, RMP eligible customers must notify the restaurant of their intention to pay for their meal using a mixed transaction (e.g., combining SNAP and EBT cash assistance benefits, a credit card and/or cash). Please note, EBT cardholders may also purchase their meal using just cash assistance benefits.
Restaurants should contact their TPP to ensure their POS devices are enabled for these transaction
Bloggers Note: This information on New York City’s Restaurant Meals Program for SNAP Recipients comes directly from their website and I give them full copyright credit on this blog. I do not know about this program as I have never used it so I have no opinion on it. I believe though this is a win-win both for restaurants and patrons offering a much needed service.
Please call the above numbers and check their website for more information.
bergencountycaregiver 
I think this program is a win-win both for the restaurants and for the patrons to provide hot meals to New Yorkers who need them.
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