Online Redemption of SNAP Benefits To Be Piloted

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

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OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

OMEGA is committed to fostering industry growth while serving West Virginians with essential services like fuel, food, and convenience.

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OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

We keep members informed through newsletters, legislative updates, an online resource hub, and educational seminars. Additional member benefits include access to the Encova Workers’ Compensation Discount Program and participation in our annual Trade Expo and fundraising efforts for children’s charities. OMEGA is here to support, advocate, and enhance the success of our industry members.

USDA Food and Nutrition Service’s Andrea Gold spoke with FMI members at FMI’s State Issues Retreat earlier this month about a number of updates in the agency’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). There was a particular interest in the request for a volunteer application that USDA is expecting to release later in September for a very limited number of pilots of online redemption of SNAP food assistance benefits. Gold said volunteers would have 45 days after the release to submit a rather extensive application. The idea behind the limited pilots is to gather information to determine whether online redemption of SNAP benefits should be considered when reauthorization of the SNAP program is discussed.

By: Jennifer Hatcher, Senior Vice President, Government and Public Affairs, Food Marketing Institute <img src="http://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/supplemental_nutrition_assistance_program.jpg?sfvrsn=0" data-displaymode="Original" alt="Supplemental_Nutrition_Assistance_Program" title="Supplemental_Nutrition_Assistance_Program" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" /> USDA Food and Nutrition Service’s Andrea Gold spoke with FMI members at FMI’s <a href="http://www.fmi.org/forms/meeting/Microsite/state-issues-retreat-2016">State Issues Retreat</a> earlier this month about a number of updates in the agency’s <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)</a>. There was a particular interest in the request for a volunteer application that USDA is expecting to release later in September for a very limited number of pilots of online redemption of SNAP food assistance benefits. Gold said volunteers would have 45 days after the release to submit a rather extensive application. The idea behind the limited pilots is to gather information to determine whether online redemption of SNAP benefits should be considered when reauthorization of the SNAP program is discussed. Gold said that applicant retailers would have to be operating in a state where the state contractor was interested and capable of facilitating the transaction. Retailers would also need a letter from their state indicating the state’s support of the retailer application; demonstration by the retailer of an existing online program and demonstration of their ability to facilitate a split tender transaction online as any delivery fees could not be paid for with SNAP benefits. Retail applicants would have to be able to separate eligible and ineligible items electronically online and would have to differentiate sales tax and how it is collected for ineligible items. The 2014 Farm Bill directed FNS to conduct an online SNAP redemption pilot as a way to better serve all SNAP customers and reflect the evolving U.S. grocery shopping habits. FMI has worked with the agency over the past two years to identify the challenges and opportunities of online SNAP redemption.

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Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.