Does Kum & Go Accept EBT Card, SNAP or Food Stamp – The EBT card is a means through which the federal government issues SNAP, WIC and TANF program benefits to eligible households in all 50 U.S. states, including the District of Columbia, Guam, Virginia, and Puerto Rico. The card can be used at an authorized convenience store or grocery chain. One such popular gas station and convenience store that operates in 11 states situated in the Midwest part of the United States of America and accepts EBT from SNAP beneficiaries is Kum & Go.
SNAP recipients who are wondering whether they can use their EBT/ food stamps/ SNAP benefits at Kum & Go or not would be pleased to note that the convenience store is accepting EBT cards for eligible purchases only. This comprehensive guide will provide an overview of how you can use your EBT card to Kum & Go and what eligible food items you can purchase with the card.
Key Takeaways
- Kum & Go accepts EBT cards in all its stores for SNAP-approved food purchases.
- Kum & Go accepts EBT cards for in-store purchases of approved food items in all locations, but not online.
- Separate transactions are required for SNAP and non-SNAP items.
- Only approved food items like fruits, vegetables, and dairy can be bought with EBT.
Overview of the SNAP/ EBT Program
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides food benefits to low-income households and individuals throughout the United States of America. The state distributes government SNAP funds in the form of a card known as an Electronic Benefits Transfer to the beneficiaries of the program. Presently, there are 248,000 vendors throughout the country that accept EBT cards.
The card gets refilled automatically each month with EBT or SNAP benefits. Once you get approval for the EBT program, you will get a specific amount of food benefits each month to purchase from participating stores and retail shops. Using an EBT card to purchase grocery from stores like Kum & Go is a simple and straightforward procedure. You just have to use your PIN to confirm the purchase of eligible items. EBT cards, unlike paper checks or food stamps, are an easy and secure way for low-income individuals to purchase groceries.
What Is Kum & Go?
Kum & Go is a convenience retailer and a gas station chain that operates in the Midwest part of the United States of America, and there are approximately 1700 stores in 11 states throughout the Midwest. Unlike other grocery or convenience stores, Kum & Go sells various food products. For more than 60 years, they have been dedicatedly serving communities by sharing nearly 10% of its profits with charitable causes.
The family-owned convenience store chain has focused for four generations on offering dedicated service and delivering quality products to customers. Established in 1959 in Hampton, the chain is growing with each passing day and has 500 associates in approximately 400 stores in the following 11 states:
- Iowa
- Colorado
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Wyoming
Does Kum & Go Accept EBT or SNAP?
Yes, Kum & Go convenience stores accept EBT, food stamps, or SNAP Benefits as a method of payment in all of their store locations. However, they do not accept EBT as a form of payment for their online stores. Like any small grocery chain or convenience store, Kum & Go accept payments while shopping online.
You can access the retailer’s online store through your desktop, Android, or Apple apps. However, it is critical to note that Kum & Go accept EBT or SNAP benefits for approved food items and groceries such as fruits, vegetables, milk, meat, etc.
SNAP recipients also look for: Does Winn Dixie Accept Food Stamps or EBT
What Is the Kum & Go Policy On The SNAP/ EBT Card?
Kum & Go, like any other convenience store, accepts EBT cards from SNAP beneficiaries, and even places EBT-eligible labels on its in-store products. You may find plenty of items at Kum & Go stores that are perfectly fine for SNAP-EBT purchases even if not all are not labeled. If you are purchasing any items that are not on the list of EBT-approved products, then you have to use an alternate form of payment to buy them.
A few Kum & Go stores have had the process expedited. For instance, you can have a specific number of items to be eligible for EBT along with non-EBT items. Once you visit the counter and all the items get scanned, you have to swipe your EBT card and wait for the total amount to separate.
Once the second total amount pops up, you have to use your alternate payment method, like cash, credit, or debit card. At the Kum & Go store, you have to separate all the items yourself and pay for the goods individually. It is, however, not possible to swipe your EBT card and pay for the eligible scanned items automatically.
What Is The Return Policy Of EBT Eligible Items At Kum & Go?
It is against the federal law to receive refunds or cash back on any items you bring back for EBT return. Kum & Go will credit the amount back to your SNAP EBT card if any item is eligible for return, but cannot give it back to you in cash.
The return items will be processed by the retailer as a gift card, or you can take an identical item off the shelf for the same amount. According to the official website of Kum & Go, some returns can be processed as store benefits.
A 90-day return policy is followed by a Kum & Go that doesn’t cover any perishable items. You may return purchases that you have made with your debit card at any time within the return time frame set by the company. You will get a refund back to your EBT card or store credit.
Does Kum & Go Accept EBT Online?
Kum & Go accept EBT benefits from SNAP recipients in approved store locations in America. Customers can use their card to purchase wholesome foods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, cereals, meats, whole wheat bread, juice, non-alcoholic beverages, and other snack items. However, you cannot use your EBT card or food stamps online. SNAP recipients who want to use their EBT card at Kum & Go must visit the store in person.
People also look for: Does the Amish Market Take SNAP, EBT, or Food Stamps?
What Can You Purchase With Your EBT Card At The Kum & Go Convenience Store?
SNAP recipients can purchase several food items and beverage products from Kum & Go convenience stores. However, you must ensure that you purchase essential foods that fall under the approved items umbrella for the SNAP EBT card. These items are as follows:
- Cereals and Bread: All types of bread, crackers, cereals, pasta, oatmeal, and rice are allowed.
- Fruits and vegetables: All types of fresh, canned, or frozen fruits and vegetables are allowed for EBT purchase. This also includes dried fruits and vegetables.
- Milk and Dairy Products: All types of milk, yogurt, cheese, and butter are eligible.
- Meat, poultry, and fish: This comprises all forms of meat such as pork, beef, turkey, chicken, fish, and lamb.
- Snacks and desserts: Chips, cakes, cookies, and other snack items are eligible as long as they do not have any vitamins or minerals in them.
- Seeds and Plants: SNAP participants can purchase plants and seeds to grow their produce.
Read also: What can you Shop Online With EBT?
What Can’t You Buy With Your EBT Card At Kum & Go Convenience Store?
Similar to any other convenience store chain or grocery store, there is a list of items that you cannot cover using your EBT card at a Kum & Go convenience store. The following is a list of items that you cannot purchase from the Kum & Go convenience store.
- Alcoholic beverages such as liquor, wine, and beer
- Prepared hot food
- Cigarette and tobacco-containing products
- Drugs, vitamins, medicines, and supplements
- Non-food items like pet foods
- Cleaning supplies
- Laundry detergent
- Diapers
- Shampoo
- Live animals except fish and shellfish
- Gas
- Clothing
- Hygiene and sanitary products
- Cosmetics and skin care products
- Paper products
As per Kum & Go, there is an exception to the live animal eligibility, such as if you visit your local Kum & Go that sells fish or shellfish alive or are in an aquarium, they can be purchased using your EBT card. Even though Kum & Go is not a real grocery store, it is likely you will not find live shellfish or fish in aquariums at any of its store locations. You also can’t buy hot, prepared food at Kum & Go with your EBT card. This comprises hot dogs, pizza stuff, nachos with hot cheese or chili, etc.
Read also: Does Shipt Accept Food Stamps, SNAP, or EBT?
What If You Purchase Ineligible Items Using Your EBT Card At Kum & Go?
Customers shopping at Kum & Go must adhere to strict SNAP guidelines when it comes to shopping for food items or groceries using an EBT card. The restrictions are due to the rules of the food assistance program you are a part of.
SNAP recipients who are using their EBT card at Kum & Go must not purchase non-edible food items, tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, or other items mentioned in the above section of the article, as SNAP funds can be used only for buying necessary items to feed the family.
You may face severe consequences if you use your EBT card to buy any unapproved SNAP item. The consequences may lead to the following:
- A 3-month ban for the first unapproved SNAP purchase
- A 1 year ban for the second unapproved purchase
- A 3-year ban for the third unapproved SNAP purchase.
Read also: Does Lidl Accept Food Stamps or EBT?
Can I Use My EBT or Food Stamps at the Kum & Go Gas Station?
Customers can use their food stamps or EBT to purchase eligible food and drink items at authorized retailers. In other words, you can buy staple food items at gas stations using your food stamp benefits, which will help you prepare meals at home. However, you cannot use the benefits of purchasing gas at the deli, at food counters, at restaurants, or in any places like sandwich or pizza shops inside gas stations.
EBT cards are allowed for the purchase of eligible food and drink items instead of gas. The only exception to this rule is to qualify for cash benefits. The cash benefits can be used for general purposes, for instance, getting cash back. TANF is a federal program that offers EBT cash benefits.
Once you qualify for TANF, you will receive deposits to your EBT card automatically that you can withdraw from ATMs for cash. Every state has its own rules and guidelines on how EBT cash benefits can be utilized. EBT cash benefits will allow you to purchase fuel, food, clothing, transportation hygiene, home maintenance, and employment expenses.
Interested in knowing: Does H Mart Accept Food Stamp or EBT? Find the answer in our next guide.
How Can You Use Your EBT Card at the Kum & Go Store?
You can use your EBT card at Kum & Go stores in select states throughout America in the same way as you shop for groceries in any other food market or convenience store. EBT cards work similar to debit or credit cards. You just have to inform the cashier of the store that you will be using your EBT or food stamp benefits as a method of payment, and he or she will let you know how to swipe or insert the card through the machine.
You have to enter the four-digit PIN that you have selected while applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. You have to make two different transactions for each payment if you are using both SNAP and cash benefits. Do not forget to take the receipt for any returns, as the receipt will help you track your spending and see the EBT SNAP balance on the bottom of the receipt.
SNAP recipients also look for: Which Restaurants Accept EBT In Kentucky?
Which Other Retailers Accept EBT Payments?
Kum & Go convenience stores operate in the Midwest part of the United States of America, and if you are not living in the aforementioned 11 states, then you can take a look at the following grocery stores that accept EBT and are scattered throughout the United States of America.
Target
Target accepts EBT payments online. They have been allowing customers to use EBT cards for payment recently. EBT recipients get the convenience of choosing their desired food and grocery items online.
DoorDash
The latest app based on every service that accepts EBT payments is DoorDash. Similar to Amazon, Walmart, and Target DoorDash enable SNAP recipients to use EBT cards for online grocery delivery and pickup. For this, you have to create a DoorDash account and add your EBT information to the account.
While shopping with the DoorDash website or app, look for products and stores featuring SNAP labels. DoorDash provides SNAP recipients with two free months of Dash Pass that normally come at a rate of $9.99 per month.
ALDI
ALDI has partnered with Instacart for delivery and offers curbside pickup to EBT card holders. For this, you need to become an ALDI customer first and create an account to shop online.
Instacart
Instacart is a popular grocery delivery service that appoints staff to shop for groceries and food items for you and deliver the ordered items to your doorstep. It has partnered with many big-box chains throughout the country.
Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s accepts EBT cards. If you are a SNAP recipient, then you can shop for groceries at Trader Joe’s and get the food you need for yourself by paying with your SNAP benefits or EBT card. Trader Joe’s is one of the most popular go-to for fresh fruits, vegetables, vegan, gluten-free, and organic food options for customers in America.
Walmart
Walmart is one of the most popular retailers in the United States of America that accepts EBT payments in 44 states. Walmart provides an affordable and convenient place for SNAP recipients to pay for their eligible food and groceries at checkout or at online pickup. The Walmart brand has been a pioneer in accepting food stamp benefits as payment for food items from its stores.
SNAP recipients also wonder: Does Wawa Accept SNAP, EBT, or Food Stamps?
Additional Stores That Accept EBT
- Amazon
- Costco
- City Market
- Albertsons
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Kroger
- Publix
- Rite Aid
- Market Basket
- Family Food Stores
- Foodland
- Speedway
- All Stores
- Sam’s Club
- Food Lion
- Friendly Foods
- Harris Teeter
- Safeway
- Kroger
- Big Y Foods
- Walgreen
- Jubilee Foods
- Piggly Wiggly
- H Mart
- Dollar Tree
- CVS
- Hometown Foods
Which Gas Stations Accept EBT Near Me?
A lot of big-name gas stations accept EBT throughout the United States of America, and this includes iconic brands like Maverick, Loves, and Shell. Let’s take a look at the following brands that usually accept EBT benefits as a method of payment:
- Kroger
- Kum & Go
- Kwik Trip
- Loves
- Marathon
- 7-Eleven
- Circle K
- Stop-A-Minit
- Stewart’s Shops
- Thorntons
- Turkey Hill
- ConocoPhillips
- ExxonMobil
- Holiday Station stores
- Maverick
- Mobile
- Phillips 66
- Sheetz
- Sinclair
- Speedway
- Sunoco
- Texaco
- QuikTrip
- Shell
- Wawa
- TravelCenters of America
- Valero
Conclusion
Kum & Go is an American chain of convenience stores and gas stations that operates in 11 U.S. states located in the Midwest part of America. The store sells hot dishes, snacks, grocery supplies like butter, milk, eggs, baked goods, and drinks. A critical thing to note while shopping at a Kum & Go store with your EBT card is to add only SNAP-eligible items to the bucket. In other words, SNAP recipients can buy only healthy and nutritious groceries and food items like dairy products, meat, fruits, vegetables, and other items listed in the above section of the article. For purchasing non-eligible items with your EBT card, you must use an alternate source of payment like cash, a debit card, or a credit card. We have also listed the alternate convenience stores and gas stations that accept EBT if you’re unable to find a Kum & Go store near you.
Learn more about the government grants and financial assistance program and improve your living situation by reading our guide at the Get Government Grants’ section today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kum & Go Accept Food Stamps or EBT Cards?
Yes, there are many Kum & Go stores located in the Midwest part of America that allow SNAP beneficiaries to buy eligible food items and groceries using their EBT card. You can also use the SNAP Retail Locator to identify stores near you that accept food stamps or EBT cards. You just have to fill in your zip code or tap on the map for directions to learn details about the authorized retailers.
Can I Use My EBT Card For Online Purchases At Kum & Go?
Unfortunately, you cannot use your EBT card for online purchases. This is because the store is not participating in the Online Pilot Purchasing Program that enables SNAP beneficiaries to pay for grocery delivery or curbside pickup. Kum & Go allows shoppers to use their EBT card to buy items only in-store.