A bill in Congress would eliminate the Restaurant Meals Program nationwide. The bill, H.R. 10268, would end a SNAP option that lets eligible people use their benefits to buy prepared meals at approved restaurants.
How the Restaurant Meals Program works
The Restaurant Meals Program allows certain seniors, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness to use SNAP benefits at approved restaurants in participating states. Recipients who use the program can buy prepared meals rather than relying only on groceries.
Who would be affected
SNAP recipients in the eligible groups who rely on the program to buy prepared meals would lose that option if the bill becomes law. The program’s effect is limited to participating states, so the change would matter most to recipients in those areas.
What comes next
H.R. 10268 is a bill in the 119th Congress. A bill must pass both the House and the Senate and be signed by the president before it becomes law. Any change to the Restaurant Meals Program would take effect only after those steps are complete.
