If you find that money is tighter than ever these days, you’re not alone. In the United States,34 million peoplecurrently live below the poverty line and38 millionare receiving food benefits. Here’s a little bit of good news you might not expect: the EBT card those benefits are paid on is also the key to accessing benefits that feed your brain and not just your belly.
By showing your photo ID and EBT card, you can receive free or reduced admission to a variety of fun and educational locations such as museums and zoos. Some zoos will even allow you to purchase memberships at a discount with your EBT card.
Read on, so you don’t miss out on all these fabulous benefits.
What Is an EBT Card?
An Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card is a debit card on which the government deposits benefits for families suffering economic hardship who are approved for and participating in governmental assistance programs. The most common type of funding that goes on this card is food benefits and cash benefits.
If you are struggling to provide nutritious food to your family, and are not receiving benefits,apply today. When applying you may qualify for SNAP (food stamps), WIC (women, infants, and children), school meals for your children, and supplemental food for senior citizens.
SNAP food benefits allow you to purchase a wide variety of foods, including meat, poultry, fish, bread, cereals, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables. You will also be able topurchase fresh produceat your local farmers’ market with your EBT benefits.
While you are waiting for benefits, do not go hungry. Immediate food assistance is available through the USDA National Hunger Hotline. For English call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) and for Spanish, 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273). Once you receive your EBT card, you will be able to use that card with your photo ID to obtain discounts on many other services.
Benefits of an EBT Card
When you are financially struggling and have an EBT card, there are many benefits you may receive that will make life easier, whether you are single or married, childless, or a parent. Here are some of those benefits:
50% off Amazon Prime
The normal cost for Amazon Prime is $119 per year or $12.99 each month. With an EBT card, you can obtain prime purchasing power for only $5.99 a month. You are also able to receive a free Amazon Prime trial.
For that low price you will receive the following:
- Free 2-day shipping on orders
- Unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows
- Download the Kindle reading app and download one free Kindle e-book every month
- Stream unlimited ad-free music
Whether you frequently shop online or need a cost-effective means of receiving TV services, the discount certainly deserves consideration.
Internet for $10 per Month
You can obtain low-cost internet in twenty-one (21) states when you have an EBT card. Check out these two major carriers in your area.
AT&T
AT&T will provide you with up to 250GB of high-speed internet for $10 per month. You do not have to pay a deposit, no commitments, free installation, and in-home WiFi.
There are four ways you can qualify for AT&T’s low-income program. If you receive SNAP benefits, SSI, participate in the national school lunch and head start programs or meet low-income levels, you probably qualify for this program. Low income is $17,226 for a single-person household. The income level increases dependent on the number of household members, with a family of four being $35,370.
Comcast
With the Comcast Internet Essentials program holders of an EBT card can receive high-speed internet for only $9.95 per month and includes in-home WiFi. There is no term contract and no credit check.
Museums For All
Throughout the United States, there are more than 500 museums where you can receive free or discounted family admission by showing your EBT card. TheMuseums for All Programallows you to search for participating museums in your area.
Here are some museums that offer this program:
- The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama—(256) 837-3400
- Fairbanks Children’s Museum in Fairbanks, Alaska—(907) 374-6873
- Children’s Museum Tucson in Tucson, Arizona—(520) 792-9985
- Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, California—(760) 438-5996
- Historic New England Roseland Cottage in Woodstock, Connecticut—(860) 928-4074
- Tampa Bay History Center, Tampa, Florida—(813) 228.0097
- Georgia State Railroad Museum in Savannah, Georgia—(912) 651-6823
- International Spy Museum in Washington DC—(202) 393-7798
- Aviation Museum of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky—(859) 231-1219
- USS Constitution Museum, Boston, Massachusettes—(617) 426-1812
- National Atomic Testing Museum, Las Vegas, Nevada—(702)409-7366
- Kimball Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas—(817) 332-8451
There are a wide variety of interests, so you are sure to find something you like.Make sure you call first to confirm they are open and honoring the program.
Visit the Zoo or Aquarium
What kid doesn’t love zoos and aquariums? With your EBT card, many facilities will discount tickets for you.
One example is the Cincinnati Zoo, where your EBT card will allow you to pay only $6 per adult (normally $26) and $3 for each child (normally $20). You may purchase a maximum of eight (8) tickets. Show your EBT card and photo ID.
Zoos Admissions and Memberships
Here are some otherzoos and museumsthat offer this benefit.
- Phoenix Zoo in Phoenix, Arizona—(602)286-3800
- Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona—(520) 791-3204
- The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert, California—(760) 346-5694
- Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California—(856) 534-3474
- Central Coast Aquarium in Avila Beach, California—(408) 271-6840
- The Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, Connecticut—(203) 394-6565
- Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Illinois—(312) 742-2000
- Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois—(312) 939-2438
- Belle Isle Aquarium in Detroit, Michigan—(313) 331-7760
- John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids Michigan—(616) 336-4300
- Minnesota Zoo in Minneapolis, Minnesota—(952) 431.9200
- Akron Zoo in Akron, Ohio—(330) 375-2550
Check your local zoo’s policies by giving them a call or checking out their website.
In addition to assistance with daily admission to zoos, your SNAP benefits may allow you to obtain a discount on zoo membership. For example, in Kentucky, theLouisville Zooallows you to purchase a family level membership for only $50. You must purchase your membership in person so you can show your valid SNAP card and photo ID.
You may not use your EBT card to purchase the membership. You will need to pay in cash or with a credit or debit card. To take part during the COVID-19 re-opening, you must arrive between 8:30 and 9:30 am to speak with a ticketing window team member about setting up an account.
Before driving to any of these locations, give them a call first to confirm they are open. If you need help obtaining wireless service and you already qualify for an EBT card, you may also qualify for free wireless service through the federalLifeline program. Check for eligibility in one easyclick.
Enjoy Family Fun
With free or reduced admission to educational and cultural attractions like museums and zoos, an EBT card can be an important tool in gaining access to memberships, admissions, and other programs.
Whether you are shopping online, looking for zoos and museums, or keeping in touch through social media, having a reliable wireless connection is essential. If you are struggling to pay your high cell phone bill, we can help.Apply for StandUp Wireless today!
