Interested in Participating?

Each SNAP recipient receives an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card which is primarily used to purchase groceries at authorized retailers. A restaurant interested in Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) must apply to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to receive authorization to accept EBT as a form of payment at their facilities. The application packet includes the following forms and documents.

FNS 252-2 Form (please note the form instructions provided following this section A signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MD DHS

FNS 252-2 Instructions
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[su_spoiler title=”Part 1 – Meal Service Types” icon=”caret”]

• Restaurant Meals Program applicants will join as a private, for-profit Restaurant and indicate whether their business is a franchise.
• A restaurant is defined as a private, for-profit establishment where meals are sold or served to customers.

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[su_spoiler title=”Part 2 – Sponsoring Organization or Business” icon=”caret”]

• Enter store information (also included as Site #1 in Part 3),
• Or enter corporate information if the restaurant is owned by a corporation.

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[su_spoiler title=”Part 3 – Specific Site Information” icon=”caret”]

• Must be filled out completely for each location including the telephone number. This telephone number will print on the bottom of EBT receipts.
• Include store number of the franchise under Site Name. (E.g.: Subway #4217).
• If there are more than three sites, the applicant may make additional copies of page two to report all restaurants or they can create a Word or Excel file that contains all the required information for each location. Manager information would be entered in this section for large chains.

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[su_spoiler title=”Part 4 – Ownership Information” icon=”caret”]

• This section applies to owners and their spouses
• Home addresses are required.
• A photo ID and verification of Social Security Number are required for all owners/officers and their spouses.

Note: Elements of Part 4 including restaurant name, location, days of operation, and meals served, will be gathered for use in an informational listing. This listing will be distributed to recipients and posted online.

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[su_spoiler title=”Part 5 – Business Information” icon=”caret”]
All questions must be answered.
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[su_spoiler title=”Part 6 – Agreement and Signature Block Original Signatures of all owners are required.” icon=”caret”]
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
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[su_spoiler title=”Section A – Private For-Profit Restaurant Details” icon=”caret”]

• Provide all Required Documentation including:
  • Copy of a government-issued photo identification card and a copy of a Social Security card, or other verification of a Social Security Number (e.g.: tax form) for:
  • all owners/partners
  • all officer(s) of private corporations, also
  • provides for spouses of owners/officers

Note: Above documentation is not required for publicly-owned corporations.

• Copy of a valid business license. (A health permit or business license is required for each location. It should be current and have the correct address of the location and correct ownership.)

Restaurant Meals Program Details
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[su_spoiler title=”What is the process for businesses interested in RMP to submit an application to become an EBT vendor?” icon=”caret”]
The Maryland Department of Human Services (MD DHS) will collect all required documentation from the restaurant and submit the package to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. Please submit all applications and supporting documents via mail to the address below.:
USDA
Food and Nutrition Services
PO Box 7228 (USPS Only)
Falls Church, VA 22040
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[su_spoiler title=”What specific documents should be included in the packet?” icon=”caret”]

• A copy of a government-issued photo identification card and a copy of a
  Social Security card, or other verification of Social Security Number for
  • All owners/partners
  • All officer(s) of private corporations
• Copy of MOU with MD DHS
• Copy of valid business license/health permit
• Signed certificate and signature statement (page 4) of the application, for each owner, partner,
  and corporate officer
• FNS-252 Form – SNAP application for stores https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-apply

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[su_spoiler title=”How long does it take to process an application?” icon=”caret”]
Once we have a completed application package, FNS has 45 days to make an authorization decision. The average approval times varies based on application volume
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[su_spoiler title=”Are businesses that already accept EBT required to submit an application to participate in RMP?” icon=”caret”]
A business cannot be both a retailer, food store, and restaurant. So a firm can only qualify for one program or the other. A restaurant or carry-out food business is defined as a business with 50% or more of its gross sales in prepared foods
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[su_spoiler title=”Will I need to purchase equipment to process EBT transactions?” icon=”caret”]
After you are authorized by FNS to accept EBT as a form of payment, you will need to choose a Point of Sale (POS) equipment. If you already have the equipment, talk to your current processor about programming it to accept EBT and to obtain cost information. A partial list of available vendors for EBT equipment and services can be found at this link: SNAP EBT Third Party Processor List. You are not required to select from one of the companies on the list; you should review the cost of leasing or purchasing equipment and services and make the best choice for your business.

Link to FNS website to become a vendor
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[su_spoiler title=”Where can I get additional instruction on how to complete FNS 252-2 form?” icon=”caret”]
Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to complete FNS 252-2 form
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