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Frequently Asked Questions

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Department of Public Social Services
Food Stamp & Nutrition Program
 12820 Crossroads Parkway South
City of Industry, California 91746
Restaurant Owner Questions - Click Here


Participant Questions

1.
 What can the Restaurant Meals do for me?
  The Restaurant Meals Program allows homeless, elderly (age 60 or over), and disabled food stamp households to use food stamp benefits to purchase prepared meals using Golden State Advantage (EBT) card at participating restaurants.
2.
 How can I find out if I am eligible for the Restaurant Meals Program?
 

If you or anyone of your food stamp household member is homeless, elderly (age 60 or over), receives Social Security Disability, Railroad Retirement Benefit Annuities, or Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), you may be eligible to purchase meals at participating restaurants.

3.
 Do I have to apply for the Restaurant Meals Program?
  No, an application is not required, if you are eligible to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program.  That is, you or someone in your household meets one of the conditions in question #2.
4.
 How do I find out if a restaurant is participating in the program?
  A restaurant is participating in the program if the Restaurant Meals Program sign or logo is displayed on its door or window. You may also click here for the list of participating restaurants or ask your Eligibility Worker for a list.
5.
 Do I have to show an identification card aside from my Golden State Advantage (EBT) card to purchase a meal?
  No, an identification card is no longer required.  All you need is your EBT card to purchase a meal.
6.
 After purchasing a meal, do I get a sales receipt showing my food stamp benefit balance?
  Yes, your sales receipt will show the cost of your meal and your food stamp benefit balance.
7.
 Will I be charged a service gratuity or sales tax if I purchase a meal?
  No, the participating restaurant is not allowed to charge a service gratuity or sales tax under the Restaurant Meals Program.
8.
 If my EBT Food Stamp benefit is not enough to purchase a meal, can I use the EBT cash benefit to cover the difference for payment?
 

Yes, you must inform the cashier that you will use a mixed transaction (EBT Food Stamp and EBT cash combined).  Before you buy a meal, check your last receipt or you may call the toll-free EBT Customer Service number (1-877-328-9677 or the TTY at 1-800-735-2929) to find out the balance in your EBT Food Stamp account.
9.
 What do I do if my EBT Food Stamp transaction is denied by a participating restaurant?
  You must call your Food Stamp Eligibility Worker or call the EBT Customer Service Center number (1-877-328-9677 or the TTY at 1-800-735-2929).
10.
 Need more information?
  For more information about the Restaurant Meals Program, call your Food Stamp Eligibility Worker or you may call Central Help Line at (1-877-481-1044)


Restaurant Owner Questions


1.
 What is the purpose of the Restaurant Meals Program?
The Food Stamp Restaurant Meals Program is a voluntary component of the Federal Food Stamps Act.  It enables the homeless, elderly (age 60 or over), and disabled food stamp households to purchase prepared meals at participating restaurants.  Its goal is to provide a variety of nutritious meal choices to eligible food stamp households.
2.
 Are there any fees that I must pay to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program?
There are no fees/dues that a restaurant owner must pay for the Restaurant Meals Program.
3.
 I have more than one restaurant. Can I apply for all my restaurants to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program?
Yes, currently there is no limit as to the number of restaurants authorized to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program throughout Los Angeles County. In line with our commitment to provide a variety of nutritious meal choices to the homeless, disabled and elderly food stamp households, we are continuously inviting restaurant owners to participate in this program.
4.
 How long does it take to become an authorized restaurant?
The entire process to become authorized takes approximately 60 days.
5.
 What happens if a participating restaurant changes ownership or closes for business?
The restaurant owner must notify the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), Food Stamp and Nutrition Program and the Food Stamp and Nutrition Service (FNS) when a restaurant changes ownership or closes.  This ensures that the authorization is cancelled immediately since the previous owner’s authorization is NOT TRANSFERABLE.  If the new owner wants to continue to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program, he/she must sign an MOU with the County of Los Angeles and apply for authorization with the FNS.
6.
 How do I know if a customer who provides a Golden State Advantage (EBT) card is eligible for the Restaurant Meals Program?
The state issued Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) equipment or your EBT integrated Point-of-Sale (POS) devise has an Automated Eligibility Identifier that enables to automatically identify if an EBT card can be processed for the Food Stamp Restaurant Meals Program.  EBT cards work similar to ATM and credit cards.
7.
 How can I handle a customer whose Golden State Advantage (EBT) card was denied when processed on the EBT/POS device?
You may inform the customer to contact his/her Food Stamp Eligibility Worker at the DPSS local office or to call the EBT Customer Service Center at (1-877-328-9677 or the TYY at 1-800-735-2929).
8.
 Can I process an EBT cash transaction when an EBT cardholder, not eligible to participate in the Food Stamp Restaurant Meals Program, wants to use the EBT cash as payment for meals?
Yes, an EBT cardholder not eligible for the program, but does have EBT cash portion on its card may use it at any sites with EBT equipment, even at the Restaurant Meals Program sites.
9.
 Can a participating restaurant allow a mixed transaction (EBT Food Stamp and EBT Cash combined)?
Yes, you may process a mixed transaction when EBT cardholder, eligible for the program, informs the cashier that meal payment is EBT Food Stamp and EBT Cash combined.
10.
 How can the eligible food stamp households know that our restaurant is participating in the program?
Your restaurant name and address will be placed on a list of participating restaurants, which we provide to eligible participants through our local district offices, community organizations, community partners and advocates.  The list of participating restaurants can also be accessed through the Food Stamp Restaurant Meals Web Page.
11.
 How long does it take to be reimbursed for the Golden State Advantage (EBT) card meal purchases?

EBT meals purchases are usually reimbursed within forty-eight hours.