SNAP New Rules: Possible Changes May Reduce Benefits in Nine States

Carlos Rodriguez
Published Nov 24, 2025


The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps over 42 million low-income Americans buy food. Traditionally, SNAP benefits are used to purchase groceries at stores, allowing people to make meals at home.

However, there's a special part of SNAP called the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). The RMP lets certain people use their SNAP cards (called EBT cards) to buy already-prepared meals at approved restaurants.

This is meant for vulnerable groups who may not be able to cook for themselves, like seniors, people with disabilities, or those who are homeless.

Recently, there has been debate about the expansion of the RMP, especially because some large fast-food restaurants are now included.

Some lawmakers are concerned that too much SNAP money is being spent at these places, which may not offer the best nutrition.
 

Right now, the RMP is available in nine states:
 

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Illinois
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • New York
  • Rhode Island
  • Virginia

Oregon is also testing the program.

A new law, called the "McSCUSE ME" Act, has been proposed to change how the RMP works. This law would adjust the rules about who can use SNAP benefits at restaurants and might reduce the number of people who qualify for the program.

If passed, these changes could affect SNAP users in the states listed above.

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