What Restaurants Accept EBT in Michigan?

Did you realize that some restaurants accept EBT in Michigan? If you’re a recipient of SNAP benefits, you may have the opportunity to buy freshly prepared, hot meals from specific restaurants through the Restaurant Meals Program.

In this article, we will explore the specifics of this program, including who qualifies for it, how it operates, and which restaurants are involved in accepting SNAP payments for ready-to-eat meals.

About the Restaurant Meals Program

The Restaurant Meals Program is a special loophole that allows restaurants to accept EBT in Michigan. It’s is a component of the federal food stamps legislation, but it’s not mandatory for states to implement it. States have the freedom to decide whether they want to adopt this program or not. Certain states, such as California and Arizona, have long-standing versions of similar programs with many restaurants actively participating.

In Michigan, the history of the Restaurant Meals Program has been marked by fluctuations. It was initially introduced for a few years, then discontinued, and later reinstated with an announcement in 2020. It seems that this time, the program is here to stay!

Who Is Eligible for Michigan’s Restaurant Meals Program?

The Restaurant Meals Program is only available to people who already qualify for Michigan’s Food Assistance Program (FAP), the state’s name for SNAP.

Every single person on your case needs to meet at least one of the following:

• Be 60 years old or older; OR
• Be permanently disabled and receiving disability or blindness payments, or disability retirement benefits from a government agency; OR
• Be experiencing homelessness; OR
• Be the spouse of someone who meets one of the conditions above

If even one person on your case doesn’t fit one of these categories, your whole household won’t qualify.

How Does the Restaurant Meals Program Work in Michigan?

If you’re eligible, your caseworker activates the option on your case. You can check your status by logging into your MI Bridges account, or by contacting your caseworker directly if you believe you qualify but don’t see it there.

Once it’s active, you take your Bridge Card (Michigan’s EBT card) to a participating restaurant and swipe it just like you would at the grocery store. A few things to know:

• You can only buy EBT-eligible food, so no alcohol, tobacco, or non-food items
• You won’t be charged tax or expected to tip
• Delivery orders don’t qualify, only in-person purchases
• Participating restaurants are required to offer meals at a reduced cost, so you’re often paying less than a regular customer would

If your balance doesn’t cover the full bill, let the cashier know before you swipe so they can split the payment between your card and another methods.

These Restaurants Accept EBT in Michigan

There are several restaurants that accept EBT in Michigan through the Restaurant Meals Program. Here’s an overview.

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Restaurants that Left the Program

Unfortunately, we’ve identified several restaurants that used to take EBT but no longer do so. These include:

• Breadless (Detroit)
• Emma’s Coffee House (Bad Axe)
• Foundry Bakehouse & Deli (Albion)
• McDonald’s (Kalamazoo location)
• Motor City Smoothies (Detroit)
• Ray’s Chicken and Pizza (Detroit)

Relief Recap

Michigan’s Restaurant Meals Program has grown steadily since its 2021 launch, and MDHHS continues working toward covering every county in the state. Check the list above for restaurants near you, and check back often since new locations are being added regularly.