Can you buy rotisserie chicken with EBT?
At a glance
- You can’t buy any hot food with your SNAP benefits.
- Only foods intended for making and eating at home are approved for SNAP.
- Alternatives like raw chicken or packaged deli meats are SNAP-eligible.
No, you can’t buy rotisserie chicken with your SNAP benefits because it’s a hot, ready-to-eat food. SNAP doesn’t cover any hot foods (unless your state participates in the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) that lets eligible SNAP recipients buy hot meals at certain restaurants).
Learn how SNAP rules apply to rotisserie chicken and other hot and prepared foods and what alternatives are eligible for purchase with food stamps.
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Why doesn't EBT cover rotisserie chicken?#why-doesnt-ebt-cover-rotisserie-chicken
SNAP benefits (also known as food stamps) are meant to be used on foods you can prepare and eat at home, like raw meat, vegetables, and frozen foods. Rotisserie chicken is a hot, ready-to-eat food so it doesn't qualify for SNAP, even if you take it home to eat it.
Some other hot foods that aren't SNAP-eligible include:
- Soup from a deli or hot bar
- Ready-made pizza (frozen or uncooked pizza you bake at home is eligible)
- Hot sandwiches or burritos
- Roasted or fried chicken
- Hot coffee or tea
In general, you can’t buy any foods that are sold hot and fully prepared with your food stamps—a good rule to remember is that most groceries with a “nutrition facts” label are SNAP-eligible, so look for that when you’re grocery shopping.
Hot meal exception: The Restaurant Meals Program#hot-meal-exception-the-restaurant-meals-program
While hot, ready-to-eat foods generally aren’t eligible under SNAP, there is a notable exception. In states that participate in the RMP, eligible recipients can use SNAP benefits to buy hot meals at approved restaurants.
The Restaurant Meals Program helps ensure that people who can’t easily prepare meals at home still have access to nutritious, warm food.
Who qualifies:
- Seniors (usually 60 or over)
- People with disabilities
- People experiencing homelessness
- A spouse of an eligible SNAP recipient
Participants must be approved for the program and can only use SNAP benefits at designated restaurants. To find a participating restaurant in your area, visit your state’s SNAP website, contact your local SNAP office, or check this list.
SNAP-eligible alternatives to rotisserie chicken#snap-eligible-alternatives-to-rotisserie-chicken
If you’re craving a rotisserie chicken, SNAP can still cover some options to make a similar meal at home. You can use your benefits to purchase uncooked, frozen, or packaged meats.
Some SNAP-eligible alternatives include:
- Raw chicken
- Frozen cooked chicken
- Packaged deli meats
- Canned chicken or tuna
- Plant-based chicken
Helpful prep ideas:
- Cook extra chicken and store leftovers for quick meal planning throughout the week
- Use marinades or spice blends to mimic the flavor of rotisserie chicken
- Shred cooked chicken to add protein to salads, soups, tacos, sandwiches, and pasta
