Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the US. It allows families to receive financial assistance for essential goods and pay with a card that is loaded with funds each month. Many different stores accept EBT cards for qualifying goods, but understanding the rules and regulations surrounding the program is important.
Wawa is a popular chain of convenience stores that also operate as gas stations at many locations. In addition to gasoline, EBT cards can be used at Wawa to pay for certain food items and other essential products. However, there are many goods sold at Wawa that do not qualify for the SNAP benefits program.
Does Wawa Accept EBT?
Wawa accepts EBT cards for food and gasoline purchases. Some items sold at Wawa will not be covered by the SNAP benefits program, and so cannot be purchased with EBT.
Keep reading to see details on using EBT at Wawa, as well as information on what you can and cannot purchase at Wawa using EBT.
What Can You Buy With EBT at Wawa?
Although the EBT program is convenient for families and individuals who may have trouble feeding themselves without financial assistance, there are some limits on what you can and can’t buy with EBT. This obviously applies to many products sold at Wawa.
EBT can be used to purchase the following goods at Wawa:
- Fresh produce
- Meat (including poultry and fish)
- Dairy products
- Grain and bread products
- Snack foods
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Seeds and/or food producing plants
This covers most essential food types, and should allow families on the SNAP benefits program to feed themselves with well-rounded meals without issue. However, there are some specific items you cannot buy with EBT.
Items you cannot purchase with EBT include alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medicine, pet food, cleaning supplies, and cosmetics. Families on SNAP benefits who require some of these items will need to pay for them another way.
For more information on what you can and can’t buy with EBT, you can visit the eligible food items page on the USDA website.
How to Shop at Wawa With EBT
The federal assistance programs that eventually evolved into the SNAP benefits program have changed quite a bit over the years. Families and individuals receiving assistance used to use “food stamps” in exchange for essential goods. This was changed many times over the years, sometimes in response to recipients illegally trading their food stamps for non-essential goods and services.
With the current SNAP benefits program, recipients receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer card. This card tracks the recipient’s balance and spending habits, and is used very similarly to a debit or credit card.
To purchase goods with EBT at Wawa, you simply swipe your EBT card at checkout just like you would a debit or credit card. Recipients also have to input a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to verify the purchase.
The register and payment system Wawa uses should automatically differentiate between items that do or do not qualify for SNAP benefits. If the transaction includes items that do not qualify for SNAP, you will have to pay for them separately.
At some Wawa locations, it may be necessary to process the two sets of items separately if the register does not automatically differentiate between them.
In What States Does Wawa Accept EBT?
Wawa owns and operates locations in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Although Wawa stores should accept EBT, the specific rules for what qualifies for SNAP benefits may vary between these different states.
Wawa stores should accept EBT in all seven states where they operate. However, the exact rules governing SNAP benefits in these states may vary. It is best to contact your local Wawa location to confirm the exact expectations.
You can also use the USDA’s SNAP retailer locator page to determine whether or not a local Wawa location accepts EBT. Remember that EBT can only be used to purchase goods that qualify for the SNAP benefits program in your state. It might also be a good idea to check the SNAP benefits page for your specific state. For more information, you can visit the state agency page on the USDA website.
Want to learn more about Wawa? Check out our related post to learn if Wawa takes Apple Pay.
Conclusion…
Wawa convenience stores and gas stations will accept EBT for qualifying goods, including gasoline and fresh food items. Like with other stores, hot food and other ready-made goods at Wawa cannot be purchased in EBT.
Wawa owns and operates retail locations in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington D.C. Some of these states may have specific regulations on what can be purchased with EBT, so it’s best to check your local laws and regulations before attempting to use EBT at these locations.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask away in the comments section.