Do EBT Cards Work at Gas Stations?
Understand EBT card usage at gas stations. Learn what you can buy inside convenience stores and important spending guidelines.
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards distribute government benefits, primarily Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds. While EBT cards do not cover fuel purchases, they can be used for eligible food items inside a gas station’s convenience store.
Eligible Purchases at Gas Station Stores
EBT cards, specifically for SNAP benefits, can be used to purchase a variety of food items found within gas station convenience stores. These eligible items fall under the broad categories of food intended for household consumption. Such items include breads and cereals, which are staples for many meals. Fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables are also eligible, providing important nutritional components.
Meats, poultry, and fish, dairy products including milk, cheese, and yogurt can also be bought. Many snack foods like chips, cookies, and candy, along with non-alcoholic beverages such as soda, juice, and bottled water, are typically eligible. Seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat are covered.
Non-Eligible Purchases
Certain items commonly found at gas station convenience stores are not eligible for purchase with SNAP EBT benefits. Fuel and gasoline cannot be bought using an EBT card. Alcoholic beverages are also prohibited. Tobacco products are similarly excluded from EBT purchases.
Hot prepared foods, like freshly brewed coffee, rotisserie chicken, or pizza slices, are generally not covered, as SNAP benefits are intended for food prepared and consumed at home. Vitamins, medicines, and any items with a “Supplement Facts” label cannot be purchased. Live animals, with exceptions for shellfish and fish removed from water, are ineligible. Non-food items such as paper products, cleaning supplies, pet food, and hygiene items also fall outside the scope of SNAP eligibility.
How to Use Your EBT Card at a Gas Station Store
Using an EBT card inside a gas station convenience store follows a process similar to using a debit or credit card. Before shopping, check the EBT balance, which can often be done by reviewing a recent receipt, calling the customer service number on the back of the card, or using an online portal or mobile app. Many stores that accept EBT will display a sign, often with the Quest logo, near the entrance or at the register.
When checking out, select your eligible food items and then swipe or insert your EBT card into the point-of-sale (POS) terminal. Enter your Personal Identification Number (PIN). If the purchase includes both eligible and non-eligible items, the non-eligible items must be paid for separately using an alternative form of payment. Take your receipt, as it typically shows your remaining balance.