For the over 41 million Americans who rely on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, stretching those food dollars is a constant challenge. While it‘s common knowledge that you can use your EBT card to purchase groceries at supermarkets and convenience stores, many SNAP recipients wonder if they can also buy prepared meals at restaurants like Domino‘s Pizza. The answer is…it depends. Let‘s break it down.
EBT Cards are Generally for Unprepared Foods Only
According to the USDA, SNAP benefits are intended for the purchase of breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, dairy products, seeds, and plants that produce food. In other words – ingredients you use to cook meals at home. The general rule is that you cannot use your EBT card to buy hot, ready-to-eat foods like pizza, burgers, or deli sandwiches. This means that in most cases, walking into Domino‘s and expecting to pay with your EBT card will not work.
However, there is one exception to this restriction on prepared foods. Certain states participate in the Restaurant Meals Program, which allows qualified elderly, disabled, and homeless SNAP recipients to use their EBT cards to purchase prepared meals at approved restaurants. So does that mean you can use your EBT at your neighborhood Domino‘s? Possibly.
States Where Domino‘s Accepts EBT Through the Restaurant Meals Program
As of 2024, the Restaurant Meals Program is active in the following states:
- Arizona
- California
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
However, just because a state participates doesn‘t mean you can use your EBT card at any Domino‘s location within its borders. Restaurants have to apply and be approved for the program on an individual basis. Typically, only certain counties or cities have Domino‘s restaurants that accept EBT payments.
For example, in California, Domino‘s accepts EBT in Los Angeles County, San Francisco County, Santa Clara County, and a few other select areas. In Arizona, you can use your EBT card at some Phoenix and Tucson Domino‘s stores. Illinois has a number of Domino‘s restaurants that take EBT in the Chicagoland area.
To find out if a specific Domino‘s location near you is part of the Restaurant Meals Program, you can use the store locator on the Domino‘s website. Enter your address, find the store you‘re inquiring about, and click "More Info" to reveal the phone number. Give them a call and ask if that particular location is authorized to accept EBT payments through the Restaurant Meals Program. The employees should be able to give you a definitive answer.
How to Qualify and Apply for the Restaurant Meals Program
Meeting the eligibility requirements is key to being able to use your SNAP benefits at Domino‘s and other participating restaurants. You must fall into one of these categories:
- Over the age of 60
- Disabled
- Homeless
- The spouse of an eligible elderly or disabled individual
Able-bodied adults without dependents are not qualified to use their EBT cards to purchase prepared restaurant meals. If you receive SNAP benefits and believe you meet the above criteria, contact your local SNAP office to apply for the Restaurant Meals Program. You will be asked to provide verification of your age, disability status, or lack of permanent housing depending on your circumstances.
Once approved, be aware that program rules still apply when using your EBT card at Domino‘s. You won‘t be able to purchase alcohol, tobacco products, or non-food items. Expect to show a valid photo ID along with your EBT card when paying. Also keep in mind that just like when shopping for groceries, you are not allowed to get cash back or use your SNAP funds to cover tips for delivery drivers.
Other Payment Options and Ways to Save at Domino‘s
If you receive SNAP benefits but aren‘t eligible for the Restaurant Meals Program, you unfortunately cannot use your EBT card to purchase food at Domino‘s. However, the popular pizza chain does accept a variety of other payment methods including:
- All major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
- Debit cards
- Cash (for carryout orders)
- Domino‘s gift cards
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- PayPal
Note that for delivery orders, paying with cash is not an option – you must use a card or digital wallet. There may also be a small minimum purchase amount required to use a credit or debit card, usually around $10-15.
Just because you can‘t rely on SNAP benefits doesn‘t mean you can‘t still enjoy an affordable meal from Domino‘s. The restaurant offers plenty of opportunities to save big on your pizza fix. Be sure to sign up for the Piece of the Pie Rewards program, which gifts you points toward free food with every order. You‘ll also get exclusive access to special discounts and promotions.
Opting to pick up your pizza rather than having it delivered is another easy way to save money by avoiding delivery fees and driver tip. Of course, you‘ll also want to keep an eye out for any Domino‘s coupons offering deals like two or more pizzas for a low price, free sides with a minimum purchase, or a percentage off your total order.
When you‘re feeding a crowd, ordering a couple of large pizzas is far more economical than buying multiple smaller ones or individual meals. Go for plain cheese or a simple one-topping variety for the best value. If you wind up with leftovers, Domino‘s pizza freezes exceptionally well. Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then place in the freezer for up to two months. This lets you stretch a single Domino‘s meal into two or three, making those SNAP dollars go further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If I qualify for the Restaurant Meals Program, how will I know how much of my SNAP balance I can use at Domino‘s?
A: The amount you can spend at Domino‘s or any other participating restaurant depends on your total monthly SNAP allotment. You can check your EBT card balance by calling the customer service number on the back of your card, logging into your online account, or checking your most recent receipt. Just budget accordingly and track your spending to avoid running out of benefits before the end of the month.
Q: Can I still tip the Domino‘s delivery driver if paying with my EBT card?
A: No. If you are using SNAP benefits through the Restaurant Meals Program, you cannot use those funds to tip the driver. You would need to provide a separate cash tip or tip via the Domino‘s app using a linked credit/debit card if you wanted to tip on an EBT order.
Q: Are there any limits on what menu items I can buy at Domino‘s with my Restaurant Meals Program benefits?
A: Yes. As with regular SNAP benefits meant to be used on groceries, there are restrictions on what you can purchase through the Restaurant Meals Program. Alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, and hot foods intended for immediate consumption (like slices sold individually at the counter) are not allowed. You should be able to use your EBT to buy any of Domino‘s standard pizza, pasta, chicken, or sandwich menu items though.
The Bottom Line
While the SNAP program remains a crucial lifeline for low-income Americans, being able to use those food benefits at restaurants like Domino‘s is far from guaranteed. EBT cards can only be used to purchase prepared meals through the Restaurant Meals Program, which is limited to a relative handful of states and further limited to Domino‘s locations that have been approved on an individual basis.
For elderly, disabled, and homeless individuals who qualify, the Restaurant Meals Program can make enjoying the occasional pizza that much easier. For the majority of SNAP recipients however, it‘s back to stretching those grocery benefits as far as they can go. That doesn‘t mean you have to swear off Domino‘s altogether though – with a little savvy shopping and deal-hunting, even those on the tightest budgets can still savor this perennially popular pizza joint.
