How to apply for Michigan Restaurant Meal Program (RMP) for SNAP Households

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)

Who it's for

Michigan's Restaurant Meal Program lets some people who get SNAP food benefits use their Michigan Bridge card to buy hot, prepared meals at participating restaurants. Everyone in the SNAP group must be 60 or older, disabled, or homeless (a spouse of an eligible person also counts). There is no separate application: if you already get SNAP and meet the rule, you can use your card at a participating restaurant. Find restaurants on the MDHHS map or list. If you do not get SNAP yet, apply for SNAP first through MI Bridges.

Only for households that already get SNAP. Every member of the SNAP group must be 60 or older, disabled (gets disability or blindness payments), or homeless, or be the spouse of an eligible member. It does not add money: it lets you spend your existing SNAP benefits on prepared meals at participating restaurants, which are not in every county.

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What you'll need

  • Your Michigan Bridge card (SNAP must already be active)

Where to apply

Apply online: official application

Step by step

  1. Check that you already get SNAP food benefits. The Restaurant Meal Program is only for households with active SNAP.
  2. If you do not get SNAP yet, apply for SNAP first online through MI Bridges. Come back to this program after your SNAP is active.
  3. Make sure everyone in your SNAP group is 60 or older, disabled (gets disability or blindness payments), or homeless. A spouse of an eligible person also counts.
  4. Know that there is no separate application for this program. If you get SNAP and meet the rule, you can use your card at a participating restaurant.
  5. Look up participating restaurants on the MDHHS map or list. Restaurants are not in every county, so check what is near you.
  6. Take your Michigan Bridge card to a participating restaurant and use it to pay for a hot, prepared meal.

What to expect: There is nothing to submit for this program, so there is no approval wait. It does not add any money to your card. It lets you spend your existing SNAP benefits on prepared meals at participating restaurants. You can keep using it as long as you keep getting SNAP and your whole SNAP group still meets the rule. If you have questions about your SNAP case, contact MDHHS.

Renewals

ongoing while you get SNAP

Official source →Last verified · November 8, 2026

Related programs

Other help that people in the same situation often look at.

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Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.