SNAP recipients can save 50% on Amazon Prime

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The arrival of Amazon Prime is a way to save money and time.

the main points

• Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month, but if you’re receiving some form of government assistance, you can subscribe for just $6.99 per month.
• SNAP recipients can also use their benefits to pay for groceries at Amazon and Whole Foods Market.
• Grocery costs have been greatly inflated in 2022, so being able to save money on them is a win.

Amazon Prime is a convenient luxury that many people enjoy. It comes with free express shipping (2-day shipping is standard, but that’s reduced to 1 day in some regions), a video streaming service that includes well-reviewed original content, and more. Unfortunately, it isn’t cheap. In February 2022, Amazon membership price has gone up to $14.99 a month, but you can save money by paying for the entire year at once, which will save you $139. And if you just want the video streaming service, getting that costs $8.99 per month.

Prime benefits can help a lot of people save time and money shopping, but the cost is definitely a barrier for some. The good news is that low-income Americans can qualify for cheaper Prime memberships through a program called Amazon Access.

How it works?

Amazon Access offers discounted Prime memberships to people who receive certain forms of government assistance. Recipients must provide proof of enrollment in these programs (which consists of a card or letter of eligibility). Programs include:

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Medicaid
• Direct Debit Card (DE)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program
• Tribal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TTANF)

If you’re enrolled in one of the above programs, you can get a Prime membership for just $6.99 per month, or save more than 50% off the standard monthly price. What a bargain! And if you receive SNAP benefits, you can use them on Amazon to buy groceries. Note that pricing is guaranteed based on annual eligibility, so after a year, you’ll have to prove your eligibility again if you want to keep your Prime benefits at the discounted rate.

Special benefits for SNAP recipients with Amazon Prime

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramSNAP, or SNAP, ensures that low-income families receive financial benefits to use for food. While Amazon may not immediately come to mind if you’re thinking of the best places to buy groceries, you can actually buy them there, and SNAP recipients can use their EBT cards to purchase products like fruits, vegetables, meat, and pantry items. .

Amazon also owns the Whole Foods Market, so if you have Whole Foods in your area, you can shop there online via Amazon and pay with your SNAP benefits. Grocery costs were one of the spending categories hit hardest by inflation during 2022, so being able to put more savings on groceries by buying from Amazon is definitely a win-win for you. Bank account.

If money is tight in your home, it pays to look for it Ways to save on food costs Subscribe to as many of them as possible. Odds are good that food is one of your biggest expenses, and buying groceries online (and getting free delivery) can save you money and time. If you’re receiving SNAP benefits and don’t take advantage of the Prime membership discount through Amazon Access, it’s worth checking out.