The Facts about SNAP Benefits and Where They are Used

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

Driving Local Business and Community Growth Across 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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Your Essential Connection in West Virginia

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.

Details: Press; January 21, 2013

SNAP benefits cannot be converted into cash, and are NOT used in casinos or on cruise ships.

SNAP benefits can only be used to purchase food at authorized retailers, and USDA has not authorized any casinos or cruise ships to accept SNAP benefits.
SNAP benefits can never be withdrawn as cash. Many States allow clients to use a single EBT card to access SNAP as well as cash benefit programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). In most States, cash benefits from other programs can be accessed through ATMs.

SNAP benefits are used to buy food to be consumed at home, and only at authorized food stores. The vast majority are redeemed at grocery stores, supermarkets, and farmers markets.

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2012, 82 percent of benefits were redeemed in super markets and superstores.
Nationwide, there were 3,214 farmers markets and farmers who sold directly to consumersauthorized to redeem SNAP benefits in FY 2012.

With very few exceptions, SNAP benefits cannot be used in restaurants – less than one‐tenth of one percent of SNAP benefits were used in restaurants in FY11. The law permits States to authorize restaurants to serve meals to some elderly, disabled, or homeless SNAP clients, who are unable to prepare meals at home. Only four States have chosen to do so.

SNAP EBT benefits are almost always redeemed in places in or near the recipient’s home State.

While allowable, out‐of‐State redemptions are relatively rare. Only 2 percent of all SNAP households redeemed any benefit outside their State of residence in 2012, and these transactions accounted for less than 3 percent of all transactions.
SNAP is designed so that clients can use benefits wherever they do their food shopping. As the program transitioned from coupons to EBT, Congress crafted legislation that requires interoperability – the ability for an EBT system in one State to recognize and process an EBT card issued by another State.
Lawmakers set this requirement because participants in border areas may live in one State and shop in another, and sometimes travel to visit family in other parts of the country.

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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.