Does KFC Accept EBT Cards?
Fast food establishments like KFC are frequently asked if they accept government assistance programs like EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer), Food Stamps, or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). For individuals and families who rely on these programs, knowing which establishments accept them can be essential.
This article will provide a detailed explanation of whether KFC participates in these programs and under what conditions.
What is EBT?
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is an electronic system that allows participants in government assistance programs to pay for food with funds provided through SNAP benefits. These benefits are typically accessed through a card similar to a debit card.
Does KFC take EBT?
Yes, but only at 131 specific locations across the United States. That’s because these restaurants operate under a program that’s only available to certain SNAP areas in certain areas, as explained below.
KFC accepts EBT cards for meal purchases in states that participate in the Restaurant Meals Program, according to QuerySprout, a consumer advocacy site.
Before you run out to buy a box of popcorn chicken, it’s important to read all the fine print so you don’t end up disappointed at the checkout. We’ll help you understand who’s eligible and how this program works so you don’t end up ordering food that your SNAP can’t cover.
Does Sprouts Accept EBT, SNAP or Food Stamp?
Eligible Food Items You Can Buy in KFC with EBT Card
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits can only be used to purchase food. They cannot be used to purchase non-food items, such as promotional products. You must purchase food that you can eat.
Here are some of the foods that EBT cardholders can purchase at participating KFC restaurants, according to QuerySprout:
- Fried Chicken
- Chicken Tenders
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Famous Bowls
- Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
- Mac & Cheese
- Biscuits
- Coleslaw
- Green beans
- Corn
- Cookies
- Chocolate chip cakes
- Beverages
- and more!
The bad news is that you won’t get any extra spending money through the Restaurant Meals Program, and most people don’t get much money in food stamps.
Which KFC locations take EBT?
Unfortunately, this is where things get complicated. Each KFC location must be approved by the government to accept SNAP benefits. That means you need to make sure you’re going to the right place to be able to use those benefits. Some cities have a lot of KFC locations, but only one or two can process those benefit payments.
LOS ANGELES
ALHAMBRA – 1425 New Ave
AZUSA – 806 E Alosta Ave
BELL GARDENS – 5735 E Florence Ave
CAYON COUNTY – 19307 Soledad Canyon Rd
CARSON – 619 W Carson St
CARSON – 545 E Sepulveda Blvd
CARSON – 18401 S Avalon Blvd
CITY OF INDUSTRY – 17901 S Colima Rd
COMPTON – 221 S Long Beach Blvd
COVINA – 1057 North Grand Ave
DOWNEY – 7865 E Florence Ave
DUARTE – 1128 Null Huntington
EL MONTE – 3814 Peck Rd
GARDENA – 1078 W Rosecrans Ave
HAWTHRONE – 11523 Hawthorne Blvd
HUNTINGTON PARK – 3100 E Gage Ave
INGLEWOOD – 2941 W Imperial Hwy
LA MIRADA – 13145 Neff Rd
LA MIRADA – 13970 Imperial Hwy
LA PUENTE – 939 N Hacienda Blvd
LAKEWOOD – 4917 Bellflower
LANCASTER – 1827 E Avenue J
LANCASTER – 866 W Avenue I
LANCASTER – 43559 10th St W
LOMITA – 26715 Western Ave
LONG BEACH – 1601 W Willow St
LONG BEACH – 1607 E 7th St
LONG BEACH – 2970 N Bellflower Blvd
LONG BEACH – 4528 Atlantic Blvd
LONG BEACH – 209 E Pacific Coast Hwy
LONG BEACH – 4001 E Anaheim
LOS ANGELES – 340 N Western Ave
LOS ANGELES – 5925 W 3rd St
LOS ANGELES – 1425 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
LOS ANGELES – 624 Lorena St
LOS ANGELES – 1244 S La Brea Ave
LOS ANGELES – 320 N Soto St
LOS ANGELES – 2801 N Broadway
LOS ANGELES – 5220 W Centinela Ave
LOS ANGELES – 8500 Lincoln Ave
LOS ANGELES – 8515 S Central Ave
LOS ANGELES – 5720 S Vermont Ave
LOS ANGELES – 11864 Wilmington Ave
LOS ANGELES – 1148 W Manchester Ave
LOS ANGELES – 1990 S Bundy Dr Ste 250
LOS ANGELES – 2801 W Olympic Blvd
LYNWOOD – 4339 E Imperial Hwy
MAYWOOD – 4025 Slauson Ave
MISSION HILLS – 10865 Sepulveda Blvd
NORTH HILLS – 8800 Sepulveda Blvd
NORTH HOLLYWOOD – 12044 Roscoe Blvd
NORWALK – 10937 Alondra Blvd
NORWALK – 12959 Rosecrans Ave
NORWALK – 10905 Imperial Hwy
PALMDALE – 2351 E Avenue S
PASADENA – 2896 E Colorado Blvd
PASADENA – 820 N Lake Ave
PASADENA – 2050 N Fair Oaks
POMONA – 375 E Mission Blvd
POMONA – 2294 N Garey Ave
SAN GABRIEL – 518 E Las Tunas
SAN PEDRO – 415 S Gaffey St
SOUTH EL MONTE – 1927 Durfee Ave
SOUTH PASADENA – 1318 Huntington Dr
TORRANCE – 2215 Sepulveda Blvd
TORRANCE – 4525 Torrance Blvd
TORRANCE – 16502 Crenshaw Blvd
WALNUT – 19080 La Puente
WEST COVINA – 555 S Glendora Ave
WHITTIER – 16161 Leffingwell Rd
WHITTIER – 13106 Whittier Blvd
Orange County
COSTA MESA – 465 E 17th St
FOUNTAIN VALLEY – 17239 Brookhurst St
HUNTINGTON BEACH – 19091 Brookhurst ST
HUNTINGTON BEACH – 6100 W Warner Ave #105
SANTA ANA – 1345 S Main St
YORBA LINDA – 23030 Eastpark Dr
Riverside County
CATHEDRAL CITY – 32120 Date Palm Dr
PERRIS – 2250 N Perris Blvd
RIVERSIDE – 18585 Van Buren Blvd
ALPINE – 5005 Willows Rd #E-113
BONITA – 5080 Bonita Rd
CARLSBAD – 745 Carlsbad Village Dr
CHULA VISTA – 1361 Medical Center Dr
CHULA VISTA – 461 3rd Ave
CHULA VISTA – 1327 Broadway
CORONADO – 100 B Avenue
EL CAJON – 2949 Jamacha Rd
EL CAJON – 724 Fletcher Pkwy
EL CAJON – 555 N 2nd St
ESCONDIDO – 2429 E Valley Pkwy
ESCONDIDO – 639 N Broadway
FALLBROOK – 1077 S Mission Rd
IMPERIAL BEACH – 1056 13th St
LAKESIDE – 12061 Woodside Ave
LEMON GROVE – 7012 Broadway
NATIONAL CITY – 840 Highland Ave
OCEANSIDE – 4100 Oceanside Blvd
San Diego County
OCEANSIDE – 3747 Mission Blvd
OCEANSIDE – 2007 Mission Ave
SAN MARCOS – 771 Center Dr
SAN MARCOS – 201 S Rancho Sante Fe Rd
POWAY – 12660 Poway Rd
RAMONA – 1025 Main St
SAN DIEGO – 12305 Alemania Rd
SAN DIEGO – 66055 Mission Gorge Rd
SAN DIEGO – 4545 El Cajon Blvd
SAN DIEGO – 4140 Convoy St
SAN DIEGO – 2829 University Ave
SAN DIEGO – 6745 Mira Mesa Rd
SAN DIEGO – 4380 Palm Ave
SAN DIEGO – 155 Market Place Ave (combo with Long John Silver)
SAN DIEGO – 7049 Eastman St (combo with Taco Bell)
SAN DIEGO – 7180 Miramar Rd (combo with Taco Bell)
SAN MARCOS – 771 CEnter Dr
SAN MARCOS – 201 S Rancho Sante Fe Rd
SAN YSIDRO – 2030 Dairy Mart Rd
SAN YSIDRO – 4698 Border Village Rd
SANTEE – 8890 Cuyamaca St
SPRING VALLEY – 8330 Paradise Valley Rd (combo with Taco Bell)
VISTA – 840 E Vista Way
Ventura County
CAMARILLO – 2350 Las Posas Rd
OXNARD – 191 W Gonzalas Rd
OXNARD – 3351 Saviers Rd
PORT HUENEME – 351 E Channel Island Blvd
SIMI VALLEY – 1595 E Los Angeles Ave
VENTURA – 3553 Telegraph Rd
WESTLAKE VILLAGE – 3605 E Thousand Oaks Blvd
Who can buy KFC with EBT?
The only people who can purchase KFC with EBT are those who are eligible for the Restaurant Meals Program. You may be eligible if ALL THREE of the following requirements are met:
- You must live in a state with a Restaurant Meals Program.
- You must be unable to cook your meals at home because you are elderly, homeless, or disabled.
- You must purchase food from approved participating establishments.
If all of these are true for you, then your caseworker should automatically put you in this program. Once you check the box in the system, your card will automatically be approved for use at restaurants that have registered with the state. Sometimes this step is skipped, so you may need to contact your caseworker to fix it if there are any issues.
Does Sam’s Club Accept EBT Cards
Why doesn’t every KFC take EBT?
Currently, SNAP EBT is accepted at about 131 of the 3,913 KFC locations nationwide. It’s a great start and a wonderful resource for people who live near one of the participating locations, but there are many people in other areas who are frustrated that they can’t use their benefits to purchase hot chicken meals.
Unfortunately, strong opposition from political leaders, healthcare advocates, and taxpayers has made it difficult to expand the Restaurant Meals Program to other areas of the country. Some areas that previously had a program like this had to discontinue it due to the huge backlash.
Even in areas that have authorized it, some restaurant owners have decided not to participate. They may be worried about bad press or simply unable to keep up with the extra paperwork the program requires. Some may not be eligible due to the program’s strict requirements. There are many reasons why so many locations have refused to participate.
How do I pay with EBT at KFC?
Once you arrive at an eligible establishment, paying for your order is incredibly easy. You simply swipe your card through the terminal like you would at a grocery or convenience store. The process is the same.
However, you must be present at the restaurant to swipe that card. You, a member of your household, or your authorized representative will need to visit KFC in-person to pay for your order. You cannot pay with EBT when placing a delivery order through a third-party app.
Alternatives to KFC for EBT Users
If KFC in your area doesn’t accept EBT, consider these options:
- Grocery stores: Use your SNAP benefits to purchase groceries and prepare meals at home.
- Participating restaurants: Other fast food chains like Taco Bell, Subway, or Domino’s may accept EBT under the RMP in eligible states.
- Community programs: Food banks and community kitchens may provide hot meals for those in need.
Conclusion
KFC accepts both EBT and SNAP benefits, but only in states that participate in the Restaurant Meals Program and for eligible individuals. It is critical to check local regulations and confirm with the KFC location nearest to you. For those who rely on SNAP benefits, understanding these restrictions ensures you can make the most of your resources.
For more guidance, check your state SNAP office or visit the USDA website for the latest information on eligible restaurants and state programs.
