Does Shell Take EBT Cards Or SNAP Payment 2024 (2024)

Does Shell Take EBT Cards Or SNAP Payment – The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a federal initiative that has been designed to help low-income Americans pay for their food bills and eliminate hunger. A gas station convenience store named Shen has recently emerged to be a popular destination among American shoppers who are seeking easy and quick access to essential items.

A lot of customers who have enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program wonder if Shell will accept EBT/ food stamps. This comprehensive blog will help you delve into the details of Shell’s SNAP policy and will help you explore the eligibility criteria, the potential limitations and accepted food items that you can cover using your EBT card. We aim to help people gain insights and make well-informed decisions so that they can maximize their food grocery budget.

Key Takeaways

• Shell accepts EBT cards at authorized locations for buying SNAP-approved food and drinks.
• You cannot use EBT for gas, hot meals, or non-food items.
• Check with your local Shell to confirm EBT acceptance and specific guidelines.
• Other EBT-friendly gas stations include 7-Eleven, Chevron, and Speedway.

What Is Shell?

Shell USA Inc. formerly known as Shell Oil Company Inc is a US-based subsidiary of Shell PLC— a UK-based international corporation oil major that is one of the biggest oil companies across the globe. Shell USA is headquartered in Houston TX and has 18,000 employees based in America. It is one of America’s largest oil and natural gas producers, fuel marketers, natural gas marketers and petrochemical manufacturers.

Founded in 1912 Shell has become a market leader in America’s full industry. As of 21st March 2024, there are 12283 shell gas station locations throughout the United States of America. To find a shell gas station near you you can use the shell gas station located available on the official website and enter your zip code.

Do you know whether Grocery Outlet accepts EBT or not? Learn the answer in our next guide.

In What States Does Shell Accept Food Stamps/ EBT?

Shell owns as well as operates various store locations throughout the United States of America. Following are the states where the company operates its store location and even accepts EBT from SNAP beneficiaries.

• Alabama (2)
• Alaska (2)
• Arizona (5)
• Arkansas (2)
• California (25)
• Colorado (6)
• Connecticut (7)
• Delaware (6)
• District of Columbia (6)
• Florida (9)
• Georgia (9)
• Hawaii (2)
• Idaho (3)
• Illinois (11)
• Indiana (4)
• Iowa (2)
• Kansas (2)
• Kentucky (2)
• Louisiana (24)
• Maine (4)
• Maryland (7)
• Massachusetts (13)
• Michigan (6)
• Minnesota (3)
• Mississippi (4)
• Missouri (4)
• Montana (3)
• Nebraska (1)
• Nevada (5)
• New Hampshire (5)
• New Jersey (9)
• New Mexico (3)
• New York (10)
• North Carolina (7)
• North Dakota (1)
• Ohio (13)
• Oklahoma (1)
• Oregon (8)
• Pennsylvania (15)
• Rhode Island (5)
• South Carolina (7)
• Tennessee (3)
• Texas (34)
• Utah (4)
• Vermont (1)
• Virginia (10)
• Washington (10)
• West Virginia (4)
• Wisconsin (4)
• Wyoming (1)

Even though Shell stores accept EBT or food stamps the specific guidelines for what may or may not qualify for EBT or SNAP benefits may vary from one state to another. Generally, Shell stores in all these states accept EBT from SNAP beneficiaries however the exact rules and guidelines governing the SNAP benefits in respective states can vary so you must contact your local Shell store location to confirm the accurate expectations.

Does Shell Take SNAP Benefits/ EBT Card?

The short answer to the burning question among SNAP recipients: “Does Shell accept EBT cards?” is Yes! The popular gas station Shell enables EBT cardholders to pay for qualifying food or drink items with their EBT card. However, you cannot use your EBT benefits at Shell gas stations to fill up your gas tank or buy gasoline.

Moreover, EBT cardholders are restricted with what they can purchase with their EBT benefits inside Shell convenience stores. These limitations are placed by USDA on the SNAP EBT program and not due to Shell’s policies. In other words, EBT cardholders can use their EBT card at the Shell to purchase cold beverages, fruits, vegetables, cold drinks, prepackaged snacks etc.

What Can I Purchase At Shell With My EBT Card?

Following is the list of items that you can purchase with your EBT card at Shell.

• Cooking oil like vegetable and olive oil
• Seafood like fish, shrimp and lobsters
• Dairy products like milk, cheese and almond milk
• Red meat like ground beef, ribs and steak
• Poultry products like eggs and chicken
• Snack foods like chips, snack crackers, salads, cold sandwiches, candy
• Seeds and plants that produce food for the household
• Non-alcoholic beverages like soft drinks and energy drinks with nutrition facts level instead of supplement facts label
• Desserts like cookies from ice cream or brownies
• Bread and cereals like rye bread or pita bread for pasta, tortillas, rice and bagels.

Do you know whether Albertsons accept food stamps or not? Read them in our next guide.

What Can’t I Purchase At Shell With EBT?

Even though Shell is a gas station it does not accept SNAP EBT payments for fuel since gasoline or fuel is not a USDA-approved SNAP-eligible item. The objective of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is to provide EBT benefits so that low-income households can access nutritious and healthy groceries. Other things that you cannot purchase include the following.

• Gasoline unless you are enrolled in the Temporary Distance For Needy Families Program
• Lottery tickets
• Medicine
• Hot prepared food
• Beer wine liquor cigarettes or tobacco
• Pet food
• Medicine vitamin supplements
• Cosmetics
• Paper products
• Cleaning supplies
• Hygiene items.

Do you know whether Schwan’s accept food stamps or not? Read them in our next guide.

Can I Purchase Hot Prepared Foods At Shell With My EBT Card?

No, it is not possible to purchase hot prepared food or restaurant meals at Shell Convenience Store with your EBT card. This is because the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program prohibits recipients from purchasing hot ready-to-eat food using their EBT cards as the SNAP funds are used for staple food and groceries only. This includes things like pizza, hot entries, preparing breakfast items and hot sandwiches.

The only exception to the SNAP program is cold prepared foods that you can buy with their EBT card. This includes cold subs, sandwiches, cold drinks, frozen entrees etc. As these goods are cold at the time of purchase they are often not considered in the ready-to-eat food category.

The goal of the federal SNAP is to provide healthy nutritious food and groceries to low-income families that they can prepare and feed at their homes. SNAP recipients can purchase hot prepared meals from participating fast food joints and restaurants that are authorized to accept EBT through the Restaurant Meals Program. This program is available only in select states like Arizona, California, Michigan, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Virginia.

You can also read about which popular fast-food restaurants accept EBT in our next guide.

How To Use Your EBT Card At The Shell Check Out?

The process of using the EBT card at authorized locations anywhere throughout the country is a simple procedure. This is similar to shopping with your debit or credit card at any convenience store or grocery chain food store. Following are the steps through which you can make use of your EBT card at participating stores to use your food stamp benefits:

• Separate your EBT-eligible and non-eligible items as soon as you reach the operator register while loading the checkout
• Swipe or insert your EBT card at the point of sale and provide your 4-digit PIN for the transaction
• Inform the cashier at the Shell convenience store about whether you will be charging your order using SNAP benefits or cash.
• Re-enter the four-digit PIN on the point-of-sale keypad and confirm if the charges are accurate. Once done the purchase total will be deducted from your SNAP or Cash account as per your direction. Take the receipt to see the latest balance on your EBT account. For any ineligible item that you cannot cover with your EBT card use an alternate source of payment like cash, credit or debit card.

What Are The Payment Methods Accepted At Shell?

Outside EBT, there are many other payment methods accepted at Shell gas stations. These payment methods include the following:

• Cash
• Visa
• MasterCard
• Discover
• American Express
• Samsung Pay
• Apple Pay
• Google Pay
• Major debit cards
• Visa checkout
• Major credit cards
• PayPal while you pay on your phone via pay at the pump
• Shell gift card

Customers who fill up at Shell regularly can use a Shell credit card to get $0.10 off per gallon, up to 35 gallons for each purchase at the time of writing. Some other credit cards are available that provide up to 5% cash back on fuel purchases and this will help to amazing savings if gasoline is more than $2 per gallon in your area.

Do you want to know whether Grubhub takes EBT payments or not? Read more insights in our next guide.

Can I Use My EBT Card At Shell Gas Pumps?

No, unfortunately, EBT cardholders cannot use their SNAP benefits at Shell gas stations. EBT card holders are allowed inside Shell convenience stores for the purchase of qualifying food and beverages. Even if you try to use your EBT card at Shell gas station the transaction will get denied automatically.

Therefore if you want to purchase gasoline then you must bring an alternate source of payment to purchase non-food items or gasoline. The alternate payment methods accepted at Shell have been listed in the above section of the article.

However, it is possible to purchase gasoline with your EBT card and take cash out of your cash account and use that for other purposes besides food. This is possible for those who are qualified for Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program.

Can I Use My Food Stamps/ EBT Card For Online Purchases At Shell?

Even though online payment is an easy and convenient option for a lot of people there is no scope to use an EBT card for purchasing SNAP-approved items at Shell.

This is because Shell, unlike other major retailers, is not enrolled in the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot Program. You can use your EBT card to purchase SNAP-approved items on-site.

If you’re facing mobility issues, transportation barriers or hindrances to shopping eligible food items in-store then you can take a look at the alternate major retailers who are authorized by USDA to take EBT for online grocery delivery and/ or pick-up orders.

• Amazon
• Walmart
• Instacart
• DoorDash
• Target
• ALDI etc.

Read about the comprehensive list of SNAP-eligible goods and grocery stores that accept EBT payments online in our next guide.

Which Grocery Stores Near Me Accept EBT Cards?

The USDA prohibits stores that offer adult entertainment, stores that sell alcohol, casinos and gambling places like race tracks from accepting EBT cards.

Only grocery stores, convenience markets, local co-ops and gas stations that sell necessary food and groceries are allowed to accept EBT. If you are looking for stores that accept SNAP, then we have covered everything for you. Following is the list of grocery stores in America that take EBT.

• HEB
• Harris Teeter
• Wegmans
• Weis Markets
• Whole Foods
• Jewel-Osco
• King Soopers
• Kings Food Markets
• Kroger
• Safeway
• Acme Markets
• AJ’s Fine Foods
• Albertsons
• Speedway
• Associated Food Stores
• Bashas
• Big Y Foods
• Foodtown
• Fred Meyer
• Stater Bros
• Fry’s Food Stores
• Giant Eagle
• Giant Food
• Hannaford Supermarkets
• Lowe’s Grocery
• 99 Ranch Market
• BJ’s Wholesale Club
• Bravo Supermarkets
• Brookshire’s
• Smart and Final
• City Market
• Dillons Stores
• Meijer
• Piggly Wiggly
• Pick N Save
• Price Chopper
• Fareway Meat & Grocery
• Fine Fare Supermarkets
• Food 4 Less
• Food City
• Sprouts
• Food Lion
• Publix
• QFC Supermarkets
• Raley’s
• Shaw’s
• ShopRite
• Smith’s Food and Drug
• WinCo
• Ralphs
• Save Mart
• Schnucks Market
• CVS
• Stop & Shop
• Super 1 Foods
• H Mart
• Kroger
• Jubilee Foods
• Superior Grocers
• Tops Markets
• Trader Joe’s
• Vons
• Publix etc.

List Of Popular Gas Stations That Accept EBT Payments

Besides Shell, many popular gas stations are USDA-approved to accept SNAP EBT payments. In the below section, we will cover some popular gas stations that are SNAP-authorized.

711

711 is the go-to choice for SNAP recipients who want to get quick snacks and fuel up their vehicle during the trip. With an EBT card, you can purchase only SNAP-approved food and cold beverages from 711. EBT cards are accepted by 711 throughout the United States of America.

Chevron

One of the leading energy sources that help to meet the growing energy demand across the globe is Chevron. This popular American multinational energy corporation is easy to locate. Thankfully they accept EBT in various locations throughout America so you can use your EBT card for the purchase of SNAP-eligible items.

Speedway

A popular American convenience store as well as gas station that is headquartered in Ohio is Speedway. You can find numerous food items like drinks, candy bars, hot and cold beverages and snacks here. You can use your EBT card at any Speedway convenience store for eligible grocery and food items.

Texaco Inc.

The American oil brand which is owned and operated by Chevron Corporation is known as Texaco Inc. The company provides unbeatable mileage for whatever fills your tank. You can use your EBT card for eligible food and beverages.

76 Gas Station

76 is a popular chain of gas stations situated throughout the United States of America. It is an incredible choice since it has a large extension and has 18004 stations. The 76 gas stations take EBT payments from SNAP beneficiaries for approved items only.

Exxon Mobil

One of the world’s biggest publicly owned international oil and gas companies Exxon Mobil accepts EBT in various places throughout America. You can refill your card on your trip with gas from Exxon Mobil and also enjoy quick refreshments that are available here. Nearly 50+ Exxon Mobil gas stations in America accept EBT for approved items.

Circle K

Circle K is a popular American chain of convenience stores and gas stations in the US. The store sells snacks, hot dishes, drinks, and grocery supplies like milk, butter, eggs and baked products. All of the authorized stores at Circle K currently allow shoppers to use their SNAP benefits cards or EBT cards for purchasing SNAP-eligible food items and groceries.

QuikTrip

QuikTrip is one of the biggest chains of gas station convenience stores in the United States of America. You can use your food stamp benefits to buy approved items from QuikTrip. As per the SNAP guidelines customers cannot purchase hot food items, gas or alcoholic drinks from the Grab-and-Go Bar section of a QuikTrip.

Sheetz

Sheetz is a popular name when it comes to looking for gas stations, truck shops, fast food restaurants and convenience stores. The authorized store locations of Sheetz allow SNAP beneficiaries to use EBT to purchase eligible items and groceries with the help of their EBT card. However, you cannot pay for the goods online at Sheetz or fund deliveries.

Wawa

Wawa is a popular convenience store as well as a gas station chain on the East Coast. The convenience store and gas station chain provides an extensive variety of convenience items, ready-to-eat food, beverages and grocery items. Wawa accepts EBT or food stamp benefits as a method of payment.

Murphy USA

The popular gas station convenience store– Murphy USA makes it easier and more convenient for the low-income population in the United States to use their EBT card as a method of payment. You need to confirm which authorized store of Murphy USA accepts EBT or food stamp benefits.

A few more resources include the following:

• Flying J
• Kroger
• Ampm
• BP
• Casey’s General Stores
• CITGO
• Clark’s Pump-N-Shop
• Conoco
• Country Fair
• Coen
• Cumberland Farms
• Delta Sonic
• Exxon/Mobil
• Fas Mart
• Gulf Oil
• Costco
• GetGo
• High’s
• Holiday Stationstores
• Huck’s Food & Fuel
• Kum & Go
• Kwik Trip
• Lassus Handy Dandy
• Love’s Travel Stops
• LUKOIL
• Marathon
• Phillips 66
• Pilot Flying J Travel Centers
• Plaid Pantry
• QuickChek
• RaceTrac/Raceway
• Royal Farms
• Rutter’s Farm Store
• Sam’s Club
• Sinclair
• Spinx
• Stop-A-Minit
• Stewart’s Shops
• Sunoco
• Texaco
• Thorntons
• Turkey Hill
• TravelCenters of America
• Valero

Conclusion

The Electronic Benefits Transfer through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a federal initiative that comes with several limitations and restrictions. SNAP recipients enrolled in the program must know these rules and regulations as well as the grocery stores and gas stations where they can use their food stamp benefits. One of the popular gas stations in America that accepts EBT cards at their authorized convenience store location is Shell. However, you are not allowed to purchase or prepare meals or gasoline from Shell using your EBT card. The primary aim of the EBT card is to supplement the nutrition needs of low-income individuals so you can buy only staple food, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages from Shell convenience stores. Our guide has also listed alternate gas stations that accept EBT throughout America.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Shell Allow SNAP Recipients To Use EBT Benefits During Self Checkout?

Yes, you can use your food stamp or EBT card at the self-checkout at Shell. It is one of the easiest ways for SNAP recipients to authorize their transactions compared to regular checkout.

Are There Any Restrictions On The Type Of Food I Can Buy With An EBT Card At Shell?

Yes, EBT cards can be used to purchase eligible food items only such as fruits, vegetables, poultry meat, fish, dairy products, cereals, bread, snacks, cold beverages etc. Non-food items like pet food supplies, tobacco, alcohol and hot prepared meals are not eligible for purchase by EBT.