Food stamps: See where you may be able to use your benefits card at Starbucks
Jack Birle
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The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, allows low-income citizens to receive nutrition assistance via monthly benefits provided by the government.
SNAP beneficiaries can use their benefits to purchase food and groceries at authorized retailers, and while coffee shops such as Starbucks are typically not included in that list, there are some loopholes that may allow EBT cards to be used at those locations.
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One of the ways people can purchase select items from a Starbucks with an EBT card is if the location is within a grocery store, such as Safeway or Target.
These in-store locations may allow beneficiaries to purchase eligible items under SNAP guidelines because they are a licensed store that operates as part of the grocery store.
Another way to purchase Starbucks with an EBT card is if the location participates in the Restaurant Meals Program.
The Department of Agriculture defines the program as “a state option to allow certain SNAP clients, who might not be able to prepare meals for themselves or who do not have permanent housing for storing and preparing food, to be able to buy prepared meals at restaurants with their SNAP benefits.”
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If a Starbucks shop is a participating location, beneficiaries are allowed to purchase hot food there.
States participating in the Restaurant Meals Program include Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Virginia. For more information on these programs, visit individual state websites.