Do you know if Subway accepts EBT Food Stamps in Florida? this is one of the questions our readers ask a lot. Well, we´ve got you covered.
At this time, Subway does not accept EBT in Florida as a valid form of payment for any purchases made from the chain restaurant. You will need to use another form of tender in order to pay for your meal.
In this article, we will delve into why Subway doesn’t accept EBT in Florida and whether or not there are exceptions to the rule.
Additionally, we will advise you on food retailers where you can use your EBT card and if there is any hope for Subway to accept EBT in the future in Florida.
Table of Contents
Why Doesn’t Subway Accept EBT in Florida?
EBT funds can only be used to pay for food items used to prepare meals, not for ready-to-go prepared food designed to be consumed immediately.
Some states allow you to use EBT funds to purchase restaurant food, but Florida is not one of them. In order to qualify, Florida needs to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program designed by SNAP.
Currently, only a handful of states are a part of the program. Since Florida does not participate, you cannot use your EBT to purchase anything from Subway or any other fast food or restaurant establishment.
The Restaurant Meals Program is fairly new and is slow to go throughout the country.
At this time, Florida is sticking to EBT recipients purchasing food items from grocery stores and other food retailers but will not allow the use of funds at restaurants.
This may be to encourage EBT card holders to promote healthy eating practices and acquire more products for their EBT funds from the grocery store.
Are There Any Exceptions?
While on the whole Florida does not participate in the Restaurant Meals Program, there was a pilot program initiated to allow certain residents to use EBT funds at certain restaurants.
This was only put into action in one county and the participating restaurants were limited to only fourteen locations.
Additionally, although the elderly, disabled, and homeless recipients of SNAP are typically eligible to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program, only homeless EBT card holders could use their EBT funds at the participating restaurants.
It is unclear whether this trial was a success or not considering that it may have been terminated.
Another exception to the rule of not allowing EBT funds to pay for restaurant purchases is in the case of a natural disaster emergency.
The USDA has the power to make an exception allowing EBT users to purchase restaurant food if they have been displaced because of severe flooding, tornado, or hurricane damage.
These allowances are not permanent, however, and once the disaster relief efforts have satisfactorily been put into place, the USDA will revoke the ability for EBT Food Stamps recipients to use their cards at any restaurant or fast food location.
Read also: Does Target Accept EBT Cash? (Here Is What To Do!)
What Food Retailers Will Accept EBT in Florida?
Most food retailers in Florida participate in the EBT program. Almost any store that sells meat, fish, poultry, cereal, bread, dairy products, non-alcoholic beverages, vegetables, and fruit is eligible to accept payment via EBT.
If you are unsure if your local retailer accepts EBT, you can visit their website or call them up to ask before planning your purchase.
Walgreens, Publix, Dollar General, gas station convenient stores, and some farmer’s markets are just a few of the food retailers that will allow you to pay for qualifying food products with your Florida EBT card.
As long as you meet the income, resource, and work requirements that enable you to sign up for SNAP benefits, you can apply for an EBT card.
There are limits to EBT funds depending on household size and certain participants may be exempt from work requirements such as those who are pregnant, elderly, minors, or disabled.
Florida does its best to provide every opportunity for its citizens to have access to healthy, nutritious food so most stores will accept EBT payments without a problem.
Another good indication that a retailer is participating in the SNAP program is a sticker on the window outside or near the register letting its customers know they can use EBT cards to pay for food.
Will Subway Ever Accept EBT Food Stamps in Florida?
It’s hard to say if EBT will ever be accepted in Florida. No one can predict the future, although the initiation of the pilot program is a positive sign.
The state was willing to give the program a trial run and the question remains whether or not they deemed it worth it to invest in.
Participating in the Restaurant Meals Program is a state by state decision so it is in the hands of state representatives and senators to bring their state’s desire to participate to Congress.
If the people of Florida collectively want the Restaurant Meals Program to be enacted for their state, they should express this desire to the state’s representatives.
Congress is encouraging more than just the current handful of participating states to enable the Restaurant Meals Program to be active.
Due to food insecurities and the downturn of the restaurant economy during the pandemic, the Restaurant Meals Program could significantly help the Florida restaurant industry.
If legislation is proposed to allow Florida to accept EBT in restaurants, it may pass very quickly unless met with vehement opposition.
Perhaps, Subway will accept EBT payments in Florida sooner than you think!
Read also: Does Subway accept EBT in Washington? (You´ll Be Surprised)
Conclusion
Although Subway restaurants in Florida do not currently accept EBT payments, there are pathways to initiate the program and exceptions to allow those in desperate need to have access to ready to eat meals.
Florida does not currently participate in the Restaurant Meals Program which would allow EBT recipients to use their cards to purchase food at places like Subway, but a proposal to change state legislation could change that.
There is a respite for those who do need it, however. If you are the victim of a natural disaster, the USDA may temporarily allow you to use EBT funds to eat at participating restaurants.
References
https://smarterflorida.com/restaurants-that-take-ebt-in-florida/
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