Does Murphy USA Take EBT?
This information is current as of July 3, 2022.
Contrary to popular belief, Murphy USA is not a Walmart gas station. Walmart has its own gas stations. Instead, Murphy USA partnered with Walmart, allowing Walmart customers to take advantage of Walmart and Murphy USA deals. If you’re an EBT recipient, you know that Walmart accepts it. However, does Murphy USA take EBT?
Murphy USA accepts EBT at all locations, and you can check its list of gas stations for each state here. However, some Murphy USA stores are minimal, with only a few EBT-eligible items for sale outside rather than inside a larger store.
Of course, like all retail chains that sell food items, snacks, or popular drinks, there are some stipulations on what you can and cannot purchase with an EBT card at Murphy USA. There are typically Murphy USA stations near major Walmart centers throughout the country, but not all of them are inside stores.
Using an EBT Card at a Murphy USA
Several websites say you must have some sort of membership to shop at a Murphy gas station or convenience store. That is entirely untrue. Murphy USA has a Murphy Drive Rewards program and also accepts discount gas prices that you get with a Walmart+ membership.
However, you don’t have to be a member of anything if you want to use your EBT card at Murphy USA. Using your EBT card at Murphy USA is like using your EBT card anywhere else. You simply pick out the eligible items you want to purchase and pay for them with your EBT debit card, just like anywhere else.
Like any store that sells food items, there are certain things Murphy USA sells that you can’t purchase with an EBT card. There are three parts to an EBT card. The first is the food stamp benefits, the second is the SNAP (which is basically your card), and the third is TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).
These are just various uses attached to your EBT card, and there are many eligible items you can purchase, even at some of Murphy USA’s smaller convenience stores. When we say smaller, we mean small, like a few islands worth of snacks sitting outside.
You also make your purchases outside, with the cashier inside a small, square building.
Murphy USA’s Policies on EBT Card Use in Its Stores
It’s easy to shop for food or snacks at Murphy USA because store policy requires them to place labels on things that are EBT or WIC eligible. Murphy USA has an exciting return policy that includes several food items, so long as they aren’t expired.
You can return items you purchased at Murphy USA with your EBT card. However, Murphy USA cannot process your return with cash. Returns on EBT card purchases that are done with cash are violations of federal law.
Murphy USA will process your return by crediting your EBT account, so the money is returned to you. Items not eligible for EBT purchases cannot be purchased with your EBT card.
For instance, if you grab 10 or 15 items off the shelf and only ⅔ of those items are EBT eligible, you can pay with your EBT card, and ⅔ of the entire balance will be deducted from your account. However, you will have to use an alternative payment method for the remaining ⅓.
What Items Can You Purchase at Murphy USA with an EBT Card?
Most of your essential food items are covered. However, it’s not that often that you will find “essentials” at Murphy USA since most of their 1,900 locations throughout the US are tiny stores with a minimal stock of food and beverages.
There are larger Murphy USA stores that are more akin to something you would expect from a large convenience store, but they are few and far between. If the following items are on offer, however, you can purchase them with EBT:
- Breakfast cereals, grains, and oats
- Pasta, rice, bread, and tortillas
- Milk
- Fruits and vegetables
- Yogurt
- Cheese
- Canned fish or vegetables
- Juices
- Tofu and soy
- Peanut Butter
- Any meats or poultry
Murphy USA does not list snacks like potato chips and candy bars. Still, those are usually covered under EBT, and if you can purchase them at your local Murphy USA, they will often have a price tag that indicates these are EBT-eligible products.
It’s a little strange that Murphy USA doesn’t list snacks and carbonated drinks. However, it may be in your best interest to simply ask the cashier about any items not clearly labeled as EBT-eligible products.
What You Can’t Purchase at Murphy USA With an EBT Card?
Most of these items are self-explanatory, and you won’t be able to purchase them no matter what store you are at, at least not with an EBT card.
- Beer and Wine
- Vitamins, medicine, and supplements
- Live animals
- Foods that are hot when sold
- Prepared foods
- Cleaning supplies
- Hygiene items such as toothpaste and deodorant
- Cosmetics
- Pet food
- Paper products
Most of these are obvious ones. Since humans don’t consume dog food, pet food is off the table, along with paper, cosmetics, and hygiene products. Beer and wine have never been associated with EBT benefits.
Murphy USA lists live animals, which is odd unless Murphy USA has gotten into selling live crawfish or lobsters in aquariums at the store. Since that’s highly unlikely, you shouldn’t waste too much time worrying over it.
Vitamins, medicine, and supplements fall under other categories where state and federal assistance are concerned, and that category is not EBT. Finally, hot foods and prepared foods are not EBT-eligible.
The latter has always been a source of contention. It makes sense that you can’t use food stamps to purchase McDonald’s, but at a convenience store, “hot food” usually pertains to biscuits kept under a heating lamp for the day.
EBT for Online Murphy USA Purchases
Murphy USA doesn’t allow EBT payments for anything they sell online, including curbside or in-store pickup. Many retail chains are moving towards qualifying online purchases. However, most of those retail chains are massive, not convenience stores.
At some point, Murphy USA may come around to the idea, but, as of right now, EBT can only be used for in-store purchases.
All Things Considered
Murphy USA does accept EBT cards, within the limitations of what is eligible for EBT purchase, along with whatever Murphy USA stipulates can or cannot be purchased with EBT.
Online shopping with EBT is currently not an option with Murphy USA but here’s to hoping they open that door sometime soon.
Save Money on Your Wireless Phone Service
If you qualify for SNAP, EBT, or Food Stamps, you may also be eligible for Lifeline or the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Lifeline and ACP are government-run programs that help low-income consumers receive free or heavily discounted communication services.
Click here to find out more and apply for this valuable benefit.
Get a Tablet for $10.01
If you qualify, you can get an 8″ tablet for just $10.01. Apply here to get started!
Save Even More With Recommended Resources and Amazon Deals
Are you looking to save on additional items? You may want to check out our Recommended Resources page. For example, you can learn how to save 50% on Amazon Prime membership and use your EBT card.
