Does Dairy Queen Accept EBT in 2024? Your Full Guide
Stretching SNAP benefits is tricky when every dollar counts. Could grabbing some burgers and Blizzards at Dairy Queen make your budget go further? Here’s what to know about using EBT at Dairy Queen in 2024.
The Restaurant Meals Program: A Potential Fast Food Lifeline
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides crucial food assistance, but commonly can’t be used for prepared meals. Enter the Restaurant Meals Program.
This state-level initiative allows SNAP recipients who are elderly, disabled, or homeless to buy food at participating restaurants. Nationwide, over 7 million people rely on SNAP, so this program offers a lifeline for those facing barriers to cooking.
Currently, Restaurant Meals Program availability looks like:
| States With Restaurant Meals Programs | States Without Restaurant Meals Programs |
|---|---|
| Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island | Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
This means fast food joints like Dairy Queen can be EBT-accessible for America’s most vulnerable populations in those six states.
Can You Use EBT at Dairy Queen in 2024?
Here’s the deal: Only some Dairy Queens accept EBT cards for payment.
In the six Restaurant Meals Program states, local Dairy Queen franchises can choose to participate. That means eligible EBT cardholders can use benefits to grab food there.
For example, older adults and people with disabilities can use Restaurant Meals Program EBT cards at select Dairy Queens in:
- Arizona
- California
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Rhode Island
However, in the 44 states without Restaurant Meals Programs, EBT cards remain strictly for grocery purchases.
So access depends entirely on your state and personal circumstances. Call ahead to confirm, since not all locations within those six states allow EBT for meals.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Using EBT at Fast Food Chains
The Restaurant Meals Program provides invaluable food access. But is grabbing fast food the best use of limited SNAP benefits? Here are some pros and cons to consider if you can use EBT at Dairy Queen in your state:
Potential Pros
- Convenience for those who can‘t easily prepare meals
- No groceries to buy, store, or cook yourself
- Kids may favor fast food options over home cooking
- Possible to grab a quick meal while out running errands
Potential Cons
- Less healthy than home-cooked food generally
- Risk of overspending benefits on pricier fast food
- Some local restaurants may offer better value than chains
- Could encourage poor nutrition and health if overused
As with any major decision around SNAP benefits, look at your unique situation. Using EBT at fast food chains offers clear advantages for some. But it likely works better as an occasional option, not the main source of meals.
Other Ways You Can Use and Save EBT Benefits
If Dairy Queen isn’t EBT-accessible in your state or you want to maximize benefits, plenty of options exist:
Grocery Pickup/Delivery – Walmart, Aldi, Safeway and other major chains allow online EBT purchases in nearly every state. No shopping required.
Farmers Markets – Many accept EBT cards for fresh, local produce. Incentive programs may double your buying power.
Discounts – Retailers like Amazon, Walgreens, Target and more offer EBT discounts on essentials. Stack them with coupons for maximum savings.
Food Banks – Local food banks can supplement groceries. Find yours via Feeding America’s nationwide database.
Saving money on a tight food budget takes creativity and resourcefulness. But making EBT benefits stretch is absolutely possible with some savvy planning.
Key Takeaways: Using EBT at Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen only accepts EBT cards in some locations within the 6 states offering Restaurant Meals Programs
Eligibility for using EBT for fast food is limited to seniors, people with disabilities and the homeless
Weigh convenience against nutrition and value when deciding whether to use benefits on fast food
Grocery delivery, food banks, discounts and farmers markets can also help maximize EBT
The ability to grab a Blizzard on benefits represents a nice perk. Yet for most, groceries likely remain the wisest EBT investment. With extra effort, you can eat well and thriftily. Saving on essentials frees up cash for the occasional DQ splurge.
