Does Honey Baked Ham Accept EBT? What You Need to Know
This information is current as of March 31, 2022.
The Honey Baked Ham® Company has come a long way since opening its first store in Detroit, Michigan, in 1957. According to the Honey Baked Ham website, the family-owned business serves its customers online and at more than 400 year-round retail locations in 40 states across the United States. The retailer is known for its spiral-sliced ham—perfect for family holidays or gifts—but also sells turkey and sides like macaroni and cheese and veggies.
Customers can order menu items online, order catering, and even pick up sandwiches or salads for lunch. If you’re looking for a premade holiday meal and wonder if Honey Baked Ham stores or websites accept EBT, the answer is no. However, this could change and depends on the Honey Baked Ham location.
This blog post answers covers the following topics:
- Using SNAP, EBT, or Food Stamps at Honey Baked Ham
- What Is the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP)?
- States That Offer the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP)
- Does Honey Baked Ham Accept EBT in States Offering the SNAP RMP?
- How Can Families on a Budget Shop at Honey Baked Ham?
Using SNAP, EBT, or Food Stamps at Honey Baked Ham
Before jumping into how to use EBT at Honey Baked Ham locations, let’s quickly define SNAP and EBT.
What Is SNAP?
SNAP stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program—formerly known as food stamps—provides nutritional benefits to supplement the food budget of millions of Americans every month. Are you or is someone you know eligible for this government benefit? If so, we feature a variety of articles on how to sign up for SNAP, depending on your state. Check here to learn more.
What Is Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)?
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is the electronic system allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to pay for food.
What Is the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP)?
SNAP’s Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is a state option allowing specific SNAP clients to buy premade, prepared, or hot meals at restaurants with their SNAP benefits. Because of the RMP, SNAP/EBT recipients can purchase fast food at a handful of Taco Bell or McDonald’s locations who participate in the program.
This program was developed for SNAP recipients must be and all members of the household who are:
- 60 years of age or older
- Receiving disability or blindness payments or receiving disability retirement benefits from a governmental agency because of a disability considered permanent
- Homeless, or
- A spouse of a SNAP client who is eligible for the RMP.
The SNAP Restaurant Meals Program makes it possible for those who qualify to purchase hot or premade food from retailers such as Honey Baked Ham.
States That Offer a SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP)
According to the official government website, as of February 23, 2022, only six states operate a Restaurant Meals Program. These states include:
- Arizona
- California
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Rhode Island – Providence and Washington Counties Only
- Virginia
The program is not widespread just yet. However, other states such as Illinois and New York are working toward joining the program.
According to the official Illinois Department of Human Services website, Illinois will participate in the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) starting late Spring of 2022. The catch is, as of now, the restaurant must reside in one of the following counties and zip codes:
- Dewitt County
- Franklin County
- Cook County with 60619, 60620, 60628, and 60617 zip codes
Does Honey Baked Ham Accept EBT in States Offering the RMP?
The answer is no. Calls made to Honey Baked Ham’s corporate headquarters confirmed that stores in Arizona, California, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Virginia do not accept EBT. Though these stores are located in states offering SNAP’s Restaurant Meal Program, the retailer does not accept EBT as payment.
Even if a state participates in the RMP, it doesn’t mean all restaurants or stores accept EBT cards for packaged or hot foods.
For example, only these restaurants participate in Arizona’s RMP. If you’d like to suggest that your local Arizona Honey Baked Ham location accept EBT, here’s a flyer you can provide the manager.
There are several qualifications restaurants must meet to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program.
In addition to being in a state that offers SNAP’s RMP, these restaurants must:
- Receive approval from the state and provide a signed agreement to the government’s USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
- Be authorized to accept SNAP benefits by FNS.
- Have an EBT card reader to accept payment.
How Can Families on a Budget Shop at Honey Baked Ham?
Because Honey Baked Ham does not accept EBT in-store or online, you may be wondering if there’s a way to save money or still shop with your EBT card.
Those with a Direct Express card can use their Debit MasterCard® for payment. Another way would be to take out cash and make a cash purchase inside a Honey Baked Ham store.
Coupon codes from apps and websites such as RetailMeNot or Rakuten are a great way to save money on your Honey Baked Ham purchases. But, of course, this would depend on whether the company is running any specials at your time of purchase.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you agree this blog answers the question, “Does Honey Baked Ham accept EBT, food stamps, or SNAP benefits?” SNAP’s Restaurant Meal Program is a fantastic idea.
The program serves many people who cannot prepare food for themselves due to housing, medical conditions, age, lack of a working kitchen or cooking utensils, etc. Perhaps more states and restaurants will operate the program, and Honey Baked Ham will allow EBT cards for purchase.
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