Does Circle K Take EBT?

Yes, Circle K accepts EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), formerly known as food stamps.

For those who qualify, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) deposits funds onto the same EBT card as SNAP benefits, and TANF funds can be used like cash, to be spent on necessities such as food, rent, medical bills, transportation, or child care.

Circle K is a gas station and convenience store. The convenience store menu includes sandwiches, snacks, cold drinks, hot coffee, pizza, hot dogs, burgers, and alcoholic drinks. The SNAP Retail Locator finds locations near you that accept EBT. Locations can be found by city and state or zip code.

A Circle K app is available, which offers exclusive coupons, online ordering, gas prices, and store locations. Please proceed to read the rest of this article to fully understand the details of shopping at Circle K with EBT.

What Can You Buy With EBT at Circle K?

The Circle K items that may be purchased with EBT include any cold food items such as sandwiches, snacks, cold non-alcoholic drinks, doughnuts, and muffins.

What Can You NOT Buy With EBT at Circle K?

According to this government website, products such as hot foods, alcohol, tobacco products, non-food items, vitamins, medicines, and supplements may not be purchased on EBT. For example, Circle K items that may not be purchased with EBT include hot coffee, hot sandwiches, alcohol, and gasoline. These Items can be purchased with TANF funds, however.

How to Use an EBT Card at Circle K

1. Check Your Balance:  Before going to Circle K, check your balance on your EBT account to make sure you know your spending limit. You can check your balance by calling the number on the back of your card and following the prompts on the call.
2. Separate Items:  In order to avoid charging items that are not eligible on your EBT card on accident, it’s best to separate EBT eligible items and regular items before checkout. It is a good idea to present the EBT eligible items to the cashier first and pay first using your EBT card. The cashier will then tell you your total for the non-EBT items, and you would pay for them another way.
3. Swipe your EBT card and enter your PIN. Alternatively, you may need to hand the card to the cashier.
4. Take your receipt. Your current EBT balance is on the receipt. 

What is the Circle K Return Policy for Items Purchased With EBT?

According to this federal law, all SNAP recipients must be treated like any other customer. It says that “you may return or refund an item bought with a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, so long as store policy allows it. 

All refunds for food items that you purchased with SNAP benefits go directly onto your EBT card. Cash refunds are not allowed for food items purchased with SNAP benefits under any circumstances.”

Circle K’s return policy states that all products can be returned within 30 days. Circle K is a franchise, so return policies may vary between stores. 

What Circle K Locations Accept EBT?

EBT is accepted at most Circle K locations. Whether EBT is accepted at a particular location depends on the franchisee. You may find a Circle K location here. Circle K is located in 48 states:

• Alaska
• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia 
• Hawaii
• Iowa
• Idaho 
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana 
• Massachusetts
• Maryland
• Maine
• Michigan
• Minnesota 
• Missouri
• Mississippi 
• Montana
• North Carolina
• North Dakota 
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico 
• Nevada
• New York
• Ohio
• Oklahoma 
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee 
• Texas
• Virginia
• Vermont
• Washington
• Wisconsin 
• West Virginia 
• Wyoming 

EBT Card FAQ at Circle K