Does Love’s Take EBT Card, Snap Or Food Stamps – With approximately 550 stores running in 41 U.S. states, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores is an incredibly popular place to buy snacks and fuel your vehicle for your trip. A lot of customers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program wonder if Love’s take EBT or food stamps.
Those who are looking for a gas station where they can drive their car on the trip and enjoy some quick snacks using EBT cards must look no further. In this comprehensive guide, we will help you to learn the ins and outs of Loves’ EBT policy and how you can find a convenient gas station near you that accepts EBT benefits. So let’s get ready to fuel up your vehicle without breaking the bank.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaways
- Love’s accepts EBT for SNAP-eligible food items. This includes dairy, meat, produce, and some snacks.
- EBT cannot be used for gas at Love’s. The SNAP program is designed to fight hunger, not cover fuel costs.
- Hot prepared food cannot be purchased with EBT at Love’s. This includes restaurants and prepared items like sandwiches.
- Many other gas stations accept EBT for groceries. Alternatives include Chevron, Exxon Mobil, and Shell.
- Check your state’s participation in the Restaurant Meals Program. This program allows EBT use for hot meals in some cases.
How Does An EBT Card Work?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program formerly known as Food Stamps is a federal initiative that offers money to individual states for assistance with food. There are more than 248,000 vendors that are accepting EBT SNAP across the country. The EBT benefits are received to the beneficiaries through a debit card known as the Electronic Benefits Transfer Card.
The card gets refilled automatically each month with SNAP benefits and allows recipients to use at authorized places for purchasing food and beverages. EBT recipients can use their SNAP benefits card at grocery stores, convenience markets, local co-ops, farmers markets, gas stations and in some cases fast food restaurants or local eateries through the Restaurant Meals Program.
Do you know whether Wegmans accept food stamps or not? Read them in our next guide.
What is Love’s Travel Stop?
Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores which is simply known as Love’s is a popular American family-owned and operated chain of 630+ truck shops running in 42 states throughout the United States of America. This privately owned company is headquartered in Oklahoma City and is ranked #10 on the Forbes list of America’s largest private companies in 2022.
The company has two kinds of stores: travel stops and country stores. While country stores are fueling stations that have convenience stores attached to them, travel stores on the other hand are located along highways that provide various amenities like parking spaces, laundry, showers and food from restaurant chains. The company offers various services like gasoline, diesel fuel, truck maintenance, driver amenities, storage, hospitality, convenience stores and restaurants.
You can also read about whether the popular pharmacy chain Rite Aid accepts EBT or not in our next guide.
What Makes Love’s Travel Stop Stand Out From Other Gas Stations?
Here’s what you need to know more about Love’s Travel Stop that makes it stand out from other gas stations.
- Love’s Travel Stops provide clean and safe restrooms to travelers without a line
- Love’s travel rooms are not only humans but also their furry friends. A lot of Love’s Store locations feature pet waste stations and dog parks.
- You can find many items apart from gasoline and snacks at Love’s. A lot of locations throughout the country provide truck care, hookups, RV parking, private showers and laundry facilities.
- Giving back to the community generously is a significant part of the Love’s culture. The franchise donates to Oklahoma-based nonprofit organizations including Operation Home Front, Teach for America and United Way of Central Oklahoma. Till date Love’s has raised $33 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
- A lot of Love’s store locations are paired with restaurants and fast-food favorites like Dairy Queen, Burger King, Bojangles, Hardies, Arby’s and so on. The company has its own line of tacos and hot sandwiches including breakfast and lunch items and a roller grill that features smoked sausages and hot dogs. Their signature tornado taquitos and southwestern-style chicken loved by all its customers
- With 600+ travel stops in 42 states every highway is blessed with Love’s store location. Moreover they remain open 24/ 7 and this can be helpful for those driving late into the night. You can fuel your vehicle and enjoy quick snacks here.
- Like any other convenience store Love’s Travel Stop has a huge collection of packaged snack slices, flower seeds, chips, beef jerky, little Debbie cake etc. You can also find frosted heart pretzels, gummy bears, peach rings, saltwater taffy and so on.
Do you know which retailers in California accept EBT payments? Head over to our next guide to learn about the comprehensive list.
Does Love’s Take EBT/ Food Stamps/ SNAP?
Yes, Love’s accepts EBT or food stamp benefits from SNAP beneficiaries at all of its store locations throughout the country. It is important to note that you can purchase only qualified items at Love’s with your EBT card and this will not include gas to fuel your vehicle.
Most of the Love’s store locations accept food stamps so that customers can get the flexibility and convenience of shopping with their stores. No matter whether you have a Love’s location near you or have come across one during your road trip you need not worry about whether the store accepts EBT, SNAP or food stamps since all stores are authorized by USDA to accept EBT as a viable payment method.
Do Love’s Take EBT At Their Gas Pumps?
SNAP recipients can use the EBT card at authorized gas stations like Love’s as long as they buy eligible items on the USDA-approved list. Since a lot of gas stations like Love’s come with convenience stores that sell milk, bread, dairy products and other SNAP-eligible items you can use your EBT benefits to purchase these products.
However, gasoline is not an eligible item so you cannot cover the expense of gas for your vehicle with the help of EBT at Love’s gas pumps. EBT cards don’t work at gas pumps as the objective of the SNAP program is to offer necessary food items to eliminate hunger among low-income Americans. It is always recommended to show up at the gas station with an alternate source of payment if you want to buy gasoline at Love’s gas pumps.
Do you know whether ARCO gas stations accept food stamps or not? Read them in our next guide.
Can I Purchase Hot Prepared Food At Love’s Travel Stops With My EBT Card?
Love’s Travel Stops provides food options like sandwiches, pizza, and hot dogs. A lot of their locations are paired with fast food joints like Dairy Queen, Burger King or Arby’s so that customers can enjoy restaurant meals at their store. It is critical to understand hot prepared foods are not eligible for EBT or SNAP purchase. This restriction is placed by the USDA to ensure SNAP or food stamp benefits are used to cover essential food items instead of restaurant meals or convenience items.
The only exception to this rule is the Restaurant Meals Program that is available in many states to assist certain populations like the homeless, disabled and elderly individuals. If you fall into one of these categories then you must contact your local SNAP office to see if you are eligible for purchasing hot prepared food with your EBT card at Love’s travel stops.
This also requires your state to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program. Love’s is a one-stop destination for convenience items, but it is necessary to note that you cannot purchase non-food items or services with your EBT card like tobacco products, pet food, cleaning supplies, personal care products etc.
What Can I Purchase With The EBT Card At Love’s?
Here’s what you can purchase with your EBT card at Love’s.
- 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.
You can also read about whether Restaurant Depot accepts EBT in our next guide.
What Can’t I Purchase With My EBT Card At Love’s?
There are various items that you cannot cover at Love’s or any other gas station. These items are as follows:
- 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 and supplements
- Cosmetics
- Paper products
- Cleaning supplies
- Hygiene items
How To Use Your EBT Card At Love’s Travel Stops?
Using your EBT card to purchase SNAP-eligible items at Love’s is a convenient and pretty straightforward process. In this section, we will guide you on how you can use your EBT card at Love’s for eligible food items.
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Check The Type Of Benefits Loaded Into Your EBT Card
Before using your food stamps at gas stations like Love’s Travel stops it is important to know what type of benefits are loaded into the card stop.
There are two types of benefits: Temporary Assistance For The Needy Families Program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. SNAP benefits can be used for the purchase of eligible food and beverages and not gasoline. TANF on the other hand can be withdrawn from ATMs for quick cash that you can use for purchasing gasoline or other items.
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Locate A Participating Love’s Travel Stops
The first and foremost place for using your EBT card to purchase food from Love’s is to find a participating location that is EBT-friendly.
You can use the store locator of Love or use the USDA SNAP Retailer Locator to find a participating location in your area. Another means is to use a website or app like GasBuddy that will help you to filter out gas stations that accept EBT in your area.
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Swipe Your EBT Card And Enter The Four Digit PIN
Once you have located a participating Love’s store that accepts EBT, swipe it at the store and follow the instructions on the screen. You have to select the payment option and enter your 4-digit PIN to complete the transaction. Don’t forget to take the receipt as it will help you to keep track of your balance on your EBT account.
What Are The Accepted Payment Methods At Love’s?
Love’s accepts EBT payments at select locations authorized by USDA. Let’s take a look at the alternate source of payment that you can use here to cover non-SNAP eligible goods like gasoline or restaurant food.
- Love’s Express Credit
- All Major Credit Cards
- Company Checks
- CFNA
- CPS/Compass
- Comdata
- T-Check
- TCH Check
- EFS Check
- Fleet One and Fleet One OTR
- Fuelman
- Voyager
- Natso
- WEX
- Transcom
- Quik
- Multiservice
- My Love Rewards Card
- Love’s Gift Card
- Billing Company Checks
- Apple and Samsung Pay
Can I Use My EBT/ Food Stamps For Online Purchases At Love’s Travel Stops?
No, you cannot use your food stamp benefits for online purchases at any Love’s Travel Stop since the company does not provide online delivery or curbside pickup. It is possible to use your EBT card for shopping SNAP-eligible food and beverages while checking out.
Alternative Places That Accept EBT Online
You can take a look at the following alternative platforms that accept EBT cards online.
Amazon
The Groceries on Amazon and Amazon Fresh are the two popular grocery delivery and pickup services by Amazon that accepts EBT. Amazon Fresh is available only in select states whereas the grocery and government food section on Amazon.com has a wide array of shelf-stable and non-perishable pantry items.
Walmart
Walmart accepts EBT as a method of payment in all of its physical store locations. They are also accepting EBT online in select states. You can get free curbside pickup service with a minimum $35 order or else you will be charged a small pickup fee. You first need to create an account with Walmart and select it as a method of payment.
Instacart
Being one of the biggest grocery chains in the United States of America, Instacart accepts payments from EBT recipients and helps them purchase food items and groceries at participating locations. SNAP recipients can use their EBT card for online grocery delivery and pickup with Instacart’s participating merchants.
ALDI
ALDI is a renowned grocery store that accepts EBT payments across all their store locations. Around 1900 store locations throughout America already accept EBT cards to help SNAP beneficiaries access nutritious and healthy food items.
DoorDash
DoorDash is one of the latest updated delivery services that accept SNAP payments like Amazon, Walmart and Target. You can use your EBT card online for grocery delivery and pick-up. You have to create a new DoorDash account if you do not have one existing account and add your EBT card details.
Read about the comprehensive list of SNAP-eligible goods and grocery stores that accept EBT payments online in our next guide.
Can I Use My EBT Card/ Food Stamps At Any Approved Gas Stations?
Yes, it is possible to use your SNAP benefits to purchase eligible food and beverages at authorized retailers including gas stations. However, you cannot use the benefits for purchasing gas, at a restaurant, at a deli, at food counters or other places like sandwich or pizza shops inside gas stations.
The USDA guidelines require beneficiaries to purchase staple food items with nutritional value at gas stations with the help of government food stamp benefits that they can take home and prepare as a part of a snack or meal. This includes dairy products like cheese and milk or snack foods like crackers and chips. The only exception to this is if you are eligible for cash benefits.
EBT cash benefits are used for general purposes and have less stringent eligibility criteria, unlike EBT SNAP benefits. The cash benefits come from the Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program and if you qualify for the program you get automatic deposits to your EBT card that you can withdraw from ATM for cash and use for various purposes including restaurant meals or non-food items.
List Of Gas Stations That Accept EBT Cards: Best Alternatives Of Love’s To Consider
Besides Loves, many popular gas stations accept EBT cards or SNAP benefits as a method of payment. However, it is important to know that you can purchase only eligible food and beverages with your EBT cards here and not gasoline.
- Costco
- Chevron
- 7-Eleven
- 76
- Flying J
- Exxon Mobil
- Shell
- Speedway
- Kroger
- Texaco
- ampm
- BP
- Casey’s General Stores
- Circle K
- CITGO
- Clark’s Pump-N-Shop
- Conoco
- Country Fair
- Coen
- Cumberland Farms
- Delta Sonic
- Exxon/Mobil
- Fas Mart
- Gulf Oil
- GetGo
- High’s
- Holiday Stationstores
- Huck’s Food & Fuel
- Kroger
- Kum & Go
- Kwik Trip
- Lassus Handy Dandy
- Love’s Travel Stops
- LUKOIL
- Marathon
- Murphy USA
- Phillips 66
- Pilot Flying J Travel Centers
- Plaid Pantry
- QuickChek
- QuikTrip
- RaceTrac/Raceway
- Royal Farms
- Rutter’s Farm Store
- Sam’s Club
- Sheetz
- Shell
- Sinclair
- Spinx
- Stop-A-Minit
- Stewart’s Shops
- Sunoco
- Texaco
- Thorntons
- Turkey Hill
- TravelCenters of America
- Valero
- Wawa etc.
Conclusion
Love’s Travel Shop is the leading travel shop network across the nation with 644 locations running in 42 states. Founded in 1964 and headquartered in Oklahoma City, this family-owned and operated company has 40,000 employees and provides professional truck drivers and motorists with 24-hour access to safe and clean places to buy gasoline, fresh coffee, restaurant offerings, diesel fuel and many more services. The company is committed to providing people with clean places, and friendly faces at every stop. They also accept EBT as a method of payment from customers for eligible food and beverages.
We hope this article has been informative enough to give you all the details you need regarding Love’s that accept EBT. You can learn more about the government grants and financial assistance program at the Get Government Grants’ blog section today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Find A Love’s Store Nearby?
You can find a Love’s Store in your area of residence by using the Love’s Store Locator. You can visit the official website to find the nearest convenience store by entering your city, state or zip code and then click on the submit button.
Does Love’s Take Food Stamp, SNAP Or EBT?
Yes, Love’s accepts SNAP, food stamps or EBT and if you are unsure whether you can use your EBT card at a Love’s store or not then you can contact your local store and ask for detailed information.