Does Honey Baked Ham Accept EBT Cards? Everything You Need To Know

With the holiday season coming up, many families are starting to think about festive meals and treats. For some, a highlight is enjoying a delicious spiral-cut ham from Honey Baked Ham. But can you use your EBT card to purchase Honey Baked Ham’s famous hams, turkeys, and side dishes?

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about using EBT benefits at Honey Baked Ham.

What is EBT and How Does It Work?

EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. This system allows recipients of government assistance programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Women Infants, and Children) to pay for groceries using an EBT debit card.

When you qualify for SNAP or WIC benefits based on income and other eligibility factors, you are issued an EBT card. This works like a debit card that can be used to purchase approved food items at participating retailers.

SNAP benefits come monthly and can be used to buy most grocery staples WIC provides specific supplemental foods like milk, cheese, eggs, cereal, and baby formula

Does Honey Baked Ham Accept EBT Cards for Payment?

The short answer is no, Honey Baked Ham does not currently accept EBT cards as a payment method either online or in stores.

There are two main reasons for this:

• EBT benefits cannot be used to purchase prepared or hot foods. SNAP rules prohibit using your EBT card on ready-to-eat meals intended for immediate consumption. This includes deli items, rotisserie chicken, pizza by the slice, etc. Since Honey Baked Ham sells pre-cooked hams, turkeys, and side dishes, they do not qualify under SNAP guidelines.

• Honey Baked Ham has chosen not to participate in the SNAP retailer program. While some restaurants and specialty food stores accept EBT through this USDA program, Honey Baked Ham has opted out. So even if a product did meet SNAP rules, EBT cards still could not be used to buy it from Honey Baked Ham.

The same applies for WIC benefits – they cannot be redeemed at the Honey Baked Ham store or website due to these restrictions

Are There Any Exceptions? The Restaurant Meals Program

There is one scenario where using EBT at Honey Baked Ham would be possible – through SNAP’s Restaurant Meals Program (RMP).

This federal program allows certain SNAP recipients who may not be able to prepare food for themselves to use benefits at approved restaurants. Those eligible include seniors over 60 and people with disabilities.

For Honey Baked Ham to accept EBT through the Restaurant Meals Program, two things would need to happen:

• The state where the Honey Baked Ham store is located would have to participate in the RMP. As of 2022, only 6 states offer this program.

• That specific Honey Baked Ham location would have to apply, get approved, and agree to participate in the RMP.

Even in states with the Restaurant Meals Program, individual businesses can choose not to take part.

So unless your local Honey Baked Ham opts into this program, EBT cards still cannot be used. But it remains a possibility depending on state and store policies.

Using SNAP Benefits to Buy Ham from Other Retailers

While Honey Baked Ham itself does not accept EBT, you can use your SNAP benefits to purchase ham and holiday meal ingredients from participating grocery stores. For example:

• Supermarkets like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, etc. all accept EBT and sell hams around the holidays. You can prepare your own holiday meal at home using your SNAP benefits.

• Walmart sells spiral cut hams in their deli section and accepts EBT for grocery pickup orders.

• Amazon participates in the online SNAP program, so you can use benefits to buy Fresh or Whole Foods hams online.

• Dollar General accepts SNAP and may offer discounted hams seasonally, though selection is more limited.

The hams won’t have that Honey Baked flavor, but buying from a grocery store is an affordable way to use your SNAP benefits for holiday meals.

Are There Any Discounts for EBT Users?

While EBT cards are not accepted directly, Honey Baked Ham does offer various discounts that can help lower costs:

• They typically offer 10-15% off hams and turkeys leading up to major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

• You may be able to find promo codes and coupons online to save a few extra dollars on your order.

• Buying their heat-and-serve meals for a group can provide savings versus dining out.

• Special deals are sometimes offered, like a free side dish or dessert with a ham purchase.

For those on a budget, combining these discounts with a grocery store ham bought with EBT may be an option to enjoy some Honey Baked items.

Using Gift Cards to Purchase Honey Baked Ham

If you receive supermarket gift cards through a nonprofit group or other program, you could use those funds to buy a basic ham from the grocery store.

Then purchase a Honey Baked Ham gift card to put toward indulgent holiday sides or desserts not covered by your EBT benefits.

While you can’t directly spend your EBT or SNAP amounts at Honey Baked Ham, gift cards provide a way to mix government benefits with splurges on special items.

Volunteering for Discounts

Around the holidays, some Honey Baked Ham locations donate hams and offer discounts for volunteers who help out in stores. Opportunities may include packing meal boxes, distributing food to seniors, or assisting with catering.

In exchange for a few hours of your time, you may earn vouchers for money off your own Honey Baked Ham purchase. Availability varies by location and slots fill up fast, so call ahead if interested.

The Bottom Line on Using EBT at Honey Baked Ham

Unfortunately, while Honey Baked Ham’s spiraled hams and hearty sides are holiday favorites, EBT cards cannot be used to purchase their products directly. This is due to rules prohibiting the use of SNAP and WIC benefits on prepared and hot foods.

However, you do have options like buying a basic ham using your SNAP benefits at the grocery store, complementing it with Honey Baked Ham sides purchased at a discount or with gift cards, and volunteering for additional savings.

With a little creativity, you can likely find ways to incorporate these delicious Honey Baked Ham flavors into your EBT-funded holiday meals. Check your specific state and local store policies for any updates on the Restaurant Meals Program that could allow EBT use in the future.