EBT cardholder discounts: what your card offers beyond groceries
Your EBT card does more than pay for groceries. A growing number of companies offer significant discounts specifically to SNAP recipients and EBT cardholders — on memberships, grocery delivery, phone and internet service, streaming, and admission to museums and parks. Most of these are never mentioned at the checkout counter, and many cardholders go years without knowing they exist. This page covers every major verified discount available to EBT and SNAP cardholders as of 2026, organized by category.
Amazon: the most comprehensive set of EBT discounts available
Amazon has built out a dedicated program called Amazon Access (at https://www.amazon.com/access) that consolidates all of its EBT and low-income programs in one place. It is worth knowing about each component separately since they serve different needs.
Amazon Prime Access gives SNAP recipients, Medicaid enrollees, SSI recipients, WIC participants, TANF recipients, LIHEAP participants, and National School Lunch Program participants access to a full Amazon Prime membership at roughly half the standard price — $6.99 per month compared to the standard $14.99 monthly rate. To sign up, go to https://www.amazon.com/primeaccess, select your qualifying program, and upload a photo of your EBT card or eligibility letter.
Your EBT card is used only for identity verification — the monthly membership fee is charged to a separate payment method. Income verification is also available as an alternative path if you do not have a qualifying program card. A 30-day free trial is included. More on the Amazon Prime discount is at discounted Amazon Prime for low-income families.
Amazon Fresh grocery delivery is separately discounted for EBT cardholders. The grocery delivery subscription — which covers unlimited delivery on orders over $35 from Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods — runs $4.99 per month for EBT cardholders, compared to $9.99 for standard Prime members. This discount is available whether or not you are enrolled in Prime Access.
Buying groceries with your EBT card on Amazon is also possible. SNAP-eligible items are clearly labeled on Amazon and can be paid with your EBT card at checkout, the same way you would use it in a store. This covers Amazon Fresh, Amazon grocery items, and in many states Whole Foods pickup orders. Look for the "SNAP EBT eligible" label when browsing. More on saving money more broadly at how to save money on Amazon.
Grocery delivery memberships
Instacart+ is available at 50 percent off for one year for households receiving SNAP or other qualifying government benefits. The discounted rate is $4.99 per month (versus $9.99 standard). Instacart+ removes per-order delivery fees on orders over a minimum amount and offers reduced service fees. To access the discount, add your EBT card to your Instacart account and look for the Instacart+ offer in your account settings. Note that using EBT to pay for Instacart orders is available at select participating retailers — the discount on the membership itself is a separate benefit from paying with your EBT card.
Walmart+ offers a 50 percent discount on its membership for EBT and Medicaid cardholders, bringing the price to $6.47 per month (half of the $12.95 standard monthly rate). Walmart+ includes free delivery from Walmart stores on orders over $35, member fuel discounts, and access to Paramount+ streaming. To verify eligibility, go to walmart.com and look for the Walmart+ benefit verification option at https://www.walmart.com/plus — you will upload proof of your qualifying benefit. Walmart also accepts EBT as a payment method for online grocery orders for delivery or pickup.
Target Circle 360, Target's delivery membership, is available at $4.99 per month for EBT, SNAP, SSI, and Medicaid cardholders, compared to the standard $10.99 monthly rate. Circle 360 provides same-day delivery from Target with no markups and free two-day shipping. Verify eligibility through the Target app or website at https://www.target.com/l/target-circle-360/-/N-2rguk with proof of your qualifying benefit.
Phone and internet discounts
The Lifeline program is a federal program that reduces monthly phone or internet bills by up to $9.25 per month for qualifying low-income households. SNAP enrollment automatically qualifies you — no separate income verification needed. The discount applies to either a mobile phone plan or a home internet plan, but only one per household. Households on Tribal lands may qualify for additional savings.
Several internet providers also offer their own low-income programs independent of Lifeline. Comcast's Internet Essentials provides low-cost home internet to households with children who qualify for the National School Lunch Program, and to other qualifying low-income households, starting around $10 per month. AT&T Access offers discounted internet to qualifying low-income households. Xfinity (Comcast) and others can be combined with Lifeline in some cases. Search for "low-income internet" plus your provider's name, or call 211 for local options.
To apply for Lifeline: visit https://www.lifelinesupport.org/ to check eligibility and find participating providers in your area. You can also ask your current phone or internet provider whether they participate in the Lifeline program.
YMCA membership discounts
Many YMCA locations offer sliding-scale membership fees based on income, and some specifically recognize EBT or SNAP enrollment as a qualifying factor for their lowest rate. Availability and discount amounts vary significantly by location — some YMCAs offer free membership to qualifying households while others offer a reduced monthly rate. Call your local YMCA directly and ask about their financial assistance or income-based membership program. The national YMCA does not administer a centralized EBT discount, so this is a location-by-location conversation.
Zoos, museums, and cultural institutions
A growing number of zoos, aquariums, science museums, and cultural institutions offer free or deeply discounted admission to EBT cardholders through a program called Museums for All ( https://museums4all.org/ ). Participating institutions offer admission for $3 or less per person to anyone presenting an EBT card. The program covers hundreds of institutions nationwide. Search the Museums for All directory for participating locations near you — the list includes major institutions as well as smaller regional museums.
Similarly, many local zoos participate in their own EBT discount programs independent of Museums for All. Call the box office of any zoo or museum you want to visit and ask whether they have an EBT or income-based discount before paying full price.
National Parks
The America the Beautiful Access Pass is a free lifetime pass to all federal lands — national parks, national monuments, national recreation areas, and more — for people with permanent disabilities, including those receiving SSI or other disability benefits. For non-disabled low-income households, the America the Beautiful Annual Pass is $80, but a free pass is available for U.S. residents who receive means-tested federal benefits (including SNAP). This is the Every Kid Outdoors pass for fourth-graders and their families, and a separate free Annual Pass program for qualifying low-income adults. Check https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes for current eligibility and how to apply.
SCAM ALERT: A note on the Affordable Connectivity Program. Several websites and social media accounts continue to advertise ACP benefits or "free tablets through EBT" based on ACP. The ACP ended June 1, 2024. Any offer claiming to provide a free tablet or free internet service specifically through the ACP is either misinformation or a scam. The Lifeline program is the active federal program — do not provide your EBT card number or personal information to any service claiming to give you ACP benefits in 2025 or 2026.
This page provides general educational information about discounts and programs available to EBT and SNAP cardholders. Program terms, prices, and eligibility requirements change over time. Verify current terms directly with each provider before enrolling. Prices listed reflect rates confirmed in early 2026 and may have changed.
Related Content From Needhelppayingbills.com
|
Need help navigating programs?