Subway offers fresh sandwiches efficiently and at a reasonable rate, making it a great place for a quick breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Some people can’t afford to eat at Subway regularly, though, due to unemployment or underemployment.
To help ensure low-income households get the nutrients they need, the government may provide an EBT card with funds on it specifically designated for groceries.
Subway seems like a great place for citizens to enjoy healthy food at a reasonable rate.
Does Subway take EBT?
Does Subway Take EBT?
In states that allow it, you can pay for Subway inside the store with an EBT card, but you cannot pay for your meal with your EBT card through the Subway app or third-party delivery services.
Subway takes EBT through the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) in the following states:
- Arizona
- California
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Michigan
- New York
- Rhode Island
You can find Subway locations in all 50 states, including the states above that have the RMP.
In these states, you can pay for your Subway meal with the funds on your EBT card, just as you would pay with a debit card or credit card.
Subway benefits from accepting EBT since more people will spend money there (even if it’s government money).
To accept EBT, Subway must have credit card terminals that support EBT cards.
They also must work with the government in their state to activate the technology on the credit card terminals.
What Is An EBT Card?
An EBT card is a physical card that grants recipients access to their SNAP benefits (previously known as “food stamps”).
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits refer to funds provided to low-income households to supplement the cost of healthy groceries.
The federal government provides the money, and the state distributes and regulates the funds.
The funds can go toward groceries at participating grocery stores and convenience stores.
You can also use the funds to buy things like seeds for herbs and vegetables.
The funds were originally not designed to apply to ready-prepared food, as hot food tends to cost more than groceries.
Items not covered by SNAP benefits include:
- Pet food
- Vitamins and supplements
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Household goods (paper products and cleaning supplies)
- Hot and ready-made food
People who accidentally try to buy restricted items with their EBT card usually get the purchase declined.
However, it can lead to serious consequences, especially if someone repeatedly makes the same mistakes.
One person from a qualifying household must apply for the benefits and the account is under that person’s name, but the money pays for groceries for the entire household.
The main account holder can add an authorized user to the account so that they can use the card, too.
People not on the account are technically not allowed to use the EBT card.
All EBT cards require a PIN.
You should never give the PIN to someone you don’t trust with your card.
You will have a hard time disputing charges if your child uses the PIN to make unauthorized expenditures, so you may decide not to give them the PIN in the first place to avoid a problem when you go to buy groceries.
The funds replenish every month on the same day.
Extra funds roll over to the next month for up to 12 months.
After 12 months of not using the benefits, the card will become invalid.
Do I Qualify For SNAP Benefits?
Every state establishes who qualifies for SNAP benefits based on the average income in the state.
In order to qualify for SNAP benefits, the household income and assets cannot exceed a certain amount.
See the following monthly income maximum for non-disabled persons in the states that offer the RMP*:
1 person | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people | |
Arizona | $1,354 | $1,832 | $2,311 | $2,790 | $3,269 | $3,748 |
California | $1,383 | $1,868 | $2,353 | $2,839 | $3,324 | $3,809 |
Illinois | $1,771 | $2,396 | $3,020 | $3,644 | $4,268 | $4,893 |
Maryland | $1,354 | $1,832 | $2,311 | $2,790 | $3,269 | $3,748 |
Michigan | $1,472 | $1,983 | $2,495 | $3,006 | $3,518 | $4,029 |
New York | $1,396 | $1,888 | $2,379 | $2,871 | $3,363 | $3,855 |
Rhode Island | $1,987 | $2,686 | $3,386 | $4,087 | $4,786 | $5,485 |
*Specific qualifications for your home may vary based on special circumstances or updated litigation.
Full-time students, boarding residents, employees on strike, and undocumented immigrants cannot generally receive SNAP benefits.
If you get a new job that increases your income dramatically or other serious change in income, you have a responsibility to report the change in income in a timely fashion.
How Much Will I Get Through SNAP?
You can only get so much money each month.
To help you anticipate how much to expect, see the max amount of SNAP offered by each state for different sized households:
1 person | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people | |
Arizona | $194 | $355 | $509 | $646 | $768 | $921 |
California | $204 | $374 | $535 | $680 | $807 | $969 |
Illinois | $250 | $459 | $658 | $835 | $992 | $1,190 |
Maryland | $194 | $355 | $509 | $646 | $768 | $921 |
Michigan | $250 | $459 | $658 | $835 | $992 | $1,190 |
New York | $250 | $459 | $658 | $835 | $992 | $1,190 |
Rhode Island | $250 | $459 | $658 | $835 | $992 | $1,190 |
Making The Most Of SNAP Benefits
Every SNAP recipient can use their funds in the way that they see fit.
However, it’s important to remember that, just like your paycheck, you can take certain actions to make the most of your funds.
Here are some tips to ensure that you make the most of your SNAP benefits:
- Shop at discount stores, such as ALDI, instead of buying groceries at gas stations.
- Buy dry items in bulk (you can use your SNAP benefits at Costco).
- Look for sales.
- Minimize restaurant purchases.
- Fill your cabinets and fridge with nutritious food that will make you feel full.
- Budget wisely.
Can I Take Out Cash With My EBT Card?
You can receive cash from your SNAP balance, but it’s not how the program is designed.
If you do receive an EBT card, you can use it at an ATM, but you will incur fees, and you can only take out cash twice a month (may vary by state).
If you do want to take out cash from your EBT card, you will get better results by requesting cash back at stores that support cash back.
You will need a PIN in order to get cash back.
You will still use the EBT option on the credit card terminal and not the debit card option.
Subway does not give customers cash back.
Restaurant Meals Program
Initially, SNAP benefits were only made to purchase groceries and not food from restaurants.
However, some states adopted the Restaurant Meal Program (RMP) that allows SNAP recipients to use their funds toward certain restaurants on top of groceries.
Some people, such as people in wheelchairs, may struggle to buy groceries and cook meals, making restaurants a much better option for them.
While opposition exists claiming that restaurant food costs much more than buying groceries and the food at participating restaurants isn’t always healthy, more and more states are adopting the program.
As RPM is still a relatively new program, they are still working out the kinks.
Do I Qualify For The Restaurant Meals Program?
Not everyone who receives SNAP benefits also qualifies for RMP.
As a good example, Illinois provides RMP for the following SNAP recipients:
- Homeless citizens
- Veterans
- Disabled citizens
- 60+
Spouses and dependents in the household can also utilize the RMP benefits.
The idea is that RMP gives people with mobility issues or no access to a kitchen a way to eat.
Keep in mind that RMP may only qualify in certain counties or zip codes.
How To Pay At Subway With EBT
To pay for your food at Subway with EBT, start by ordering your meal as normal.
All items on the menu qualify if you receive RMP.
After you order, slide your EBT card through the credit card terminal.
After you slide your card, you will have the option to select the type of card.
Be sure to select “EBT” and not a debit card or credit card.
The credit card terminal will then process the card information and take the total of your meal out of your SNAP balance.
Always check your balance before you use your EBT card to ensure that you have enough funds to cover the meal.
our transaction will get declined if you go over your account balance.
Don’t only check your SNAP benefits balance, but also verify that you have RMP on your account.
Your transaction will also get declined if you accidentally hit “debit card” or “credit card” instead of “EBT” when prompted.
Finally, you may experience a problem if the card was reported as stolen or if the card hasn’t been used in over 12 months.
What If I Forgot My EBT Card?
You won’t be able to pay for your meal if you left your EBT card at home.
Unfortunately, you can’t pay for Subway with EBT using your mobile wallet on your smartphone as EBT cards aren’t compatible with mobile wallets.
You also won’t be able to order with your EBT card on the app.
You must go into the restaurant and pay at the cashier with your EBT card if you want to pay for your Subway with your SNAP benefits.
Ways To Save Money At Subway
1. Sub Of The Day
Most Subways offer a “sub of the day” at a reduced price based on the day of the week:
- Monday: Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki
- Tuesday: Oven-Roasted Chicken
- Wednesday: Turkey Breast
- Thursday: Italian BMT
- Friday: Tuna
- Saturday: Black Forest Ham
- Sunday: Meatball Marinara
Some stores also offer deals on footlongs and 6” meal deals.
Check with your local restaurant to learn about all current promotions in which they participate.
2. Rewards Program
Subway offers a rewards program that allows regular customers to receive rewards when they purchase food that can then be redeemed for discounted items and free items.
Rewards members receive a $2 coupon for every 200 points earned.
To stack up the points, you should keep your eyes open for bonus periods when you can earn double or triple the rewards.
On top of the savings you’ll accumulate with your points, members also receive exclusive deals only available to rewards members.
You’ll even get a treat on your birthday!
You can order through the app to gain points, or you can scan your rewards card at the store’s credit card machine (you can even put the rewards card in your mobile wallet if you want!)
Other Restaurants That Participate In RMP
Each state regulates RMP on its own terms, so the list of restaurants that accept EBT varies from state to state.
Despite the program being designed to provide nutritional food to recipients, many of the restaurants are fast food restaurants known for healthy eating but also for being inexpensive.
Some restaurants other restaurants that accept your EBT card in Arizona include
- Papa Murphy’s
- McDonald’s
- Burger King
- Carl’s Jr.
- Dairy Queen
- El Pollo Loco
- Firehouse Subs
- Dominos
- KFC
- Taco Bell
In California, you can use your EBT card at Jamba Juice.
It’s your responsibility to spend wisely and pick foods that support a healthy lifestyle.
Subway offers both inexpensive and healthy options.
Additional Nutritional Resources
1. Food Banks And Food Pantries
Food banks provide free meals to those in need and may even also provide basic dry groceries and produce.
Food pantries are very similar, but they tend to operate on a smaller scale through private organizations, such as small charities and religious institutions.
2. School Meals
Children, in particular, need proper nutrition to nurture their physical and cognitive development.
In order to help children who may not have the most nutritious options at home, the School Nutrition Program offers the Free School Lunch Program.
Even when schools closed thanks to the recent pandemic, they offered free meals for pick-up.
3. Additional Charitable Resources
No one deserves to go hungry.
If you or someone you know still need further assistance, there are more resources to consider:
- WIC: Program designed for women, infants, and children.
- The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): Program designed for people who suffered a tragic event.
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): Program designed for seniors.
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR): Program designed for Native Americans on reservations.
You can also utilize numerous resources to help you find a program that suits your needs or a food bank/food pantry in your area.
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