If you currently live in Imperial County and receive CalFresh benefits we have great news! Your CalFresh EBT Card or Golden State Advantage card can be used at select restaurants and fast food places if you meet the eligibility criteria. In this post, we will explain in detail how the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) works in Imperial County and how you can qualify to use your EBT at these restaurants. In addition, we will provide you with a complete list of food places and restaurants that Accept EBT in Imperial County, including in the cities of El Centro, Brawley, and Calexico.
First, we are going to explain what the California Restaurant Meals program is about and which counties are participating.
Second, we will explain the requirements for the RMP and how you can use your CalFresh EBT at these restaurants.
Finally, we will provide you with a complete list of restaurants that Accept EBT in Imperial County.
Table of Contents:
- California Restaurant Meals Program
- How to use your EBT Card at Restaurants in Imperial county
- List of Restaurants that Accept EBT in Imperial County
- Get Free Food in Imperial County
California Restaurant Meals Program
The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) allows CalFresh recipients who are 60 years of age or older, disabled, or homeless to use their CalFresh benefits to purchase lower-cost prepared meals at approved participating restaurants.
If you fit one of the groups described above, you can use your CalFresh California EBT card at select restaurants and fast-food chains within the state.
As of September 1, 2021, the RMP has expanded to a statewide program and is managed by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS).
Therefore, restaurant vendors who are federally approved may participate in the RMP statewide, within all 58 counties in California.
As of April 2023, the restaurant meals program is active in 39 counties in California, with the CDSS working to bring the program to all 58 counties in the near future.
Currently, the restaurant meals program is active in the following counties:
- Alameda
- Butte
- Contra Costa
- Fresno
- Glenn
- Imperial
- Kern
- Kings
- Los Angeles
- Madera
- Marin
- Mariposa
- Merced
- Nevada
- Orange
- Placer
- Riverside
- Sacramento
- San Benito
- San Bernardino
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Joaquin
- San Luis Obispo
- San Mateo
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Clara
- Santa Cruz
- Shasta
- Siskiyou
- Solano
- Sonoma
- Stanislaus
- Sutter
- Tehama
- Tulare
- Ventura
- Yolo
- Yuba
California Restaurant Meals Program Requirements
To use your CalFresh Golden State Advantage EBT Card at restaurants and fast-food chains in Imperial county, you must first meet certain requirements.
To be eligible for the Restaurant Meals Program, you must:
- Currently be enrolled and receiving CalFresh benefits
- Have an active California EBT Card
- Be homeless, elderly (age 60 or older), or disabled
If you do not meet the requirements listed above, you are not eligible to use your California EBT Card at restaurants and fast food chains.
How to use your EBT Card at Restaurants in Imperial county
Using your EBT Card to purchase hot meals at restaurants and fast food locations is easy.
Here’s what you do:
- Find a participating restaurant or fast food chain near you. Eligible locations will display the Restaurant Meals sign (pictured below).
- Purchase hot meals – breakfast, lunch, or dinner at the restaurant by using your California EBT Card at checkout.
- Follow the instructions and enter your 4-digit EBT Card PIN to complete your purchase.
- Get your receipt to see the remaining balance on your EBT Card CalFresh benefits account.
List of Restaurants that Accept EBT in Imperial County
We have listed below the restaurants that accept CalFresh EBT in Imperial County.
Scroll down to find a nearby restaurant that accepts CalFresh EBT.
El Pollo Loco
This is a must-visit destination for all chicken lovers.
It is located at:
El Pollo Loco
1403 N Imperial Ave
El Centro, CA 92243.
Pizza Hut
The pizza chain has multiple branches in the county.
Here are the locations:
Pizza Hut
375 W Main St,
Brawley, CA 92227
Pizza Hut
635 N Imperial Ave,
El Centro, CA 92243
Pizza Hut
2534 Rockwood Ave Ste 103,
Calexico, CA 92231
You can expect your favorite pizzas and sides at each of these branches.
Sombrero- El Centro Mexican Food
This is a destination for Mexican food lovers.
They offer a wide range of traditional Mexican dishes including:
- BREAKFAST
- COMBOS & DINNER PLATES
- BURRITOS
- TACOS
- TORTAS
- TOSTADAS
- BOWLS & SALADS
- HEALTHY DINING
- DRINKS
- KIDS MENU
You can find them at:
Sombrero- El Centro Mexican Food
703 E Danenberg Dr,
El Centro, CA 92243
Wendy’
Wendy’s is another popular option for quick and tasty meals.
The branch at 2290 N Imperial Ave, El Centro, CA 92243 is a great place to enjoy Wendy’s classic burgers and other fast food options.
The CDSS plans to approve more restaurants in Imperial county for the RMP program.
We will update this post as more restaurants are added.
Get Free Food in Imperial County
If your household is struggling and needs additional food assistance, visiting a food pantry is one way to get more food.
Imperial County Food Pantries
In Imperial County, a significant number of children rely heavily on school-provided breakfasts and lunches as their primary source of nourishment.
The problem intensifies over the weekends when they lack access to school cafeterias.
Alarmingly, about 1 in 3 children in Imperial County are battling food insecurity.
Weekend Backpack Program
Addressing this pressing issue, the Weekend Backpack Program offers a viable solution to alleviate weekend hunger.
Teachers play a crucial role by identifying students who are most vulnerable to food insecurity.
These students are then provided with food to pack into their backpacks every Friday before they head home.
The Weekend Backpack Program reaches out to a total of 33 schools scattered throughout Imperial County.
These schools are grouped according to their locations for better understanding:
- Brawley:
- Miguel Hidalgo Elementary School
- J. W. Oakley Elementary School
- Barbara Worth Junior High School
- Myron D. Witter Elementary School
- Phil D. Swing Elementary School
- Westmorland:
- Westmorland Union Elementary School District
- Imperial:
- Frank Wright Middle School
- Imperial High School
- Ben Hulse Elementary School
- El Centro:
- SIATech El Centro Charter High School
- Valley Academy School
- Desert Oasis High School
- Central Union High School
- Imperial Pathways Charter School
- Kennedy Middle School
- Southwest High School
- Holtville:
- Emmett S. Finley Elementary School
- Seeley:
- Seeley Union Elementary School District
- Calexico:
- Blanche Charles Elementary School
- Calexico High School
- Rockwood Elementary School
- William Moreno Jr. High School
- Cesar Chavez Elementary School
- Jefferson Elementary School
- Aurora High School
- Kenndy Gardens Elementary School
- Dool Elementary School
- De Anza 9th Grade Academy
- Mains Elementary School
- Enrique Camarena Junior High School
- San Pasqual:
- San Pasqual Elementary School
- San Pasqual Middle School
- San Pasqual Valley High School
Each of these schools plays a pivotal role in identifying the students most at risk of food insecurity and ensuring they receive the nourishment they need over the weekend.
Click here for the full list of other free food resources in Imperial County.
Restaurants that Accept EBT in Imperial county Summary
Here’s the bottom line:
The Imperial county Restaurant Meals program applies to those who are homeless, elderly (age 60 or older), or disabled.
If you are one of the groups above and have an active California EBT Card, you can use your CalFresh benefits to buy food at select restaurants.
This includes hot food that can be eaten at the premises.
Currently, 37 counties in California participate in the program, including Imperial county.
Questions?
We hope this post on restaurants that accept EBT in Imperial county was helpful.
If you have further questions about CalFresh or California EBT Card, please let us know in the comments section below.
Be sure to check out our other articles about CalFresh and CalFresh EBT, including:
