The Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance (DHA) announces the implementation of the EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) Restaurant Meals Program for elderly, disabled or homeless people who receive food stamp benefits in Sacramento County. Sacramento County is one of only a few counties offering this innovative program.

The more than 4,000 elderly, disabled, or homeless people who receive food stamp benefits in Sacramento County can now purchase prepared hot meals in addition to making their grocery store purchases using their EBT card.

Often the elderly or people with disabilites have difficulty getting to the grocery store and preparing their own meals. Homeless people or individuals staying in temporary shelters may not have storage or cooking facilities. Also, if an individual is homeless and employed, they often use their limited cash instead of their food stamp benefits to purchase meals while at work.

With this new program, individuals and families who meet the criteria will have more meal choices and possibly improve their nutrition and overall health. The program will help them stretch their food stamp benefits and use their cash for neccessities such as housing and transportation.

Here's how it works: Food stamp clients who are in the above named categories should contact their DHA worker. If the client is determined to be eligible, their worker will sign them up for the program. Prior to ordering a meal from an approved restaurant, the client must present their EBT card to the cashier. The cashier will check to see if they have been approved for the EBT Restaurant Meals Program.