Arizona Lawmaker Seeks to Ban EBT Fast Food Purchases

I'll never forget the first time I saw the sign in a fast-food restaurant's window: "EBT Accepted Here," the sign read. I was floored. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, was allowing recipients to buy a type of food that is not typically very nutritious, such as fast food.

In case you're not up to speed on the acronyms, EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. It's the system the USDA's SNAP program uses to deliver what has been rebranded from what used to be called Food Stamps.

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What is the Federal Restaurant Meals Program (RMP)?

The program was recently expanded into the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). This is a system that allows certain SNAP recipients use EBT at certain participating fast-food restaurants.

Arizona and California are two states that have rolled out this program, and it's not intended for everyone with an EBT card. Participants must be 60 years old or older, disabled, or homeless.

The program is intended to help folks who don't have a kitchen to prepare hot food or someone who may not be able to cook for themselves. Food must also be purchased in the restaurant; delivery apps like DoorDash won't work.

Arizona lawmakers have recently tried to restrict other EBT purchases. Read Arizona Attorney General Rethinks Limits On SNAP Benefits.

What Is the New Arizona Bill Trying to Do?

The Arizona Legislature is floating a new proposal to ban the use of SNAP/EBT benefits at fast‑food restaurants. If it's passed into law, it would end Arizona’s participation in the RMP.

Under federal law, SNAP purchases are restricted to groceries, with the exception of eligible RMP purchases. If this new bill is passed, the people who use their benefits to buy hot meals would no longer have access to fast food.

Who Is Proposing the Bill?

The proposal to do away with RMP in Arizona is being led by Arizona State Representative Teresa Martinez, a Republican from Casa Grande. Martinez argues that most fast‑food EBT purchases are being made by people who do not fall under the federal exception categories, despite USDA safeguards that automatically deny unauthorized transactions.

How Much EBT Money is Spent on Fast Food in Arizona?

There is no formal tracking of EBT dollars spent on fast food in Arizona, but experts estimate total RMP spending at $15 Million to $40 Million per year, with participating McDonald's raking in the largest share.

Read about another Arizona bill aimed at restricting unhealthy choices: New Arizona SNAP Soda Law Could Stigmatize Low-Income Families

Mixed Opinions on Restricting EBT Purchases

Reactions to the proposed bill are mixed. Supporters argue that the bill would reduce fraud and misuse and encourage healthier food choices.

Hunger‑relief advocates criticize the bill, arguing that removing the RMP option could harm people who don't have a kitchen or can't cook for themselves. Hardest hit, they say, could be seniors, disabled persons, and the homeless.

Bills like this have been vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs. She recently vetoed a bill that would have disallowed EBT benefits from being used to purchase soda. Hobbs argues that this would stigmatize EBT recipients and could create an “underclass” of shoppers.