Restaurants that Accept EBT in Kern County - California Food Stamps Help

If you currently live in Kern 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 Kern County and how you can qualify to use your EBT at these restaurants. In addition, we will provide you a complete list of food places and restaurants that Accept EBT in Kern county, including in the cities of Bakersfield, Ridgecrest, and California City.

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 a complete list of restaurants that Accept EBT in Kern county.

Table of Contents:

California Restaurant Meals Program
How to use your EBT Card at Restaurants in Kern county
List of Restaurants that Accept EBT in Kern 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 February 2023, the restaurant meals program is active in 37 counties in California, with the CDSS working to bring the program to all 58 counties in the near future:

California Restaurant Meals Program Requirements

To use your CalFresh Golden State Advantage EBT Card at restaurants and fast-food chains in Kern 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 Kern 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 Kern County

The CDSS plans to approve more restaurants in Kern county for the RMP program.

We will update this post as more restaurants are added.

Restaurants that Accept EBT in Kern County Summary

Here’s the bottom line:

The Kern 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 Kern county.

Questions?

We hope this post on restaurants that accept EBT in Kern 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:

How to fill out and submit SAR 7 Report