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.

-

Subscribe to secure your food stamps and learn more about this government benefit.

Related Articles

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

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 me...

SNAP Recertification in November 2025: What You Need to Know About Renewing Your Food Stamps...

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) gives millions of families in the United States help to buy food. If you receive SNAP benefits, you must regularly recerti...

What the Government Shutdown Deal Means for SNAP Benefits...

A group of Democrats and Republicans in the Senate reached an agreement late Sunday night to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. They took a first vote to reopen the government, with eight Demo...

SNAP Benefits to Be Smaller in November Due to Government Funding Issues...

Millions of families in the United States will get less money from SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps) in November. This is because the federal government is ...

Government Shutdown Threatens Four Key Aid Programs Including SNAP...

The ongoing shutdown of the U.S. federal government is causing serious problems for millions of Americans who depend on government assistance. As the political disagreement continues into its second mo...

When to Expect SNAP Payments in November 2025?...

Millions of people in the United States rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) each month to help pay for their groceries. SNAP benefits are given out using electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, w...