Your EBT card does more than buy groceries. Hundreds of companies, museums, and service providers offer EBT discounts to help cardholders stretch their budgets. From reduced-price streaming memberships to free museum admission, discounts with EBT card status span grocery stores, entertainment, transit, utilities, phone and internet service, and education programs. 

This guide covers food stamp discounts and other perks available to EBT cardholders, so you know exactly where to save.

What Will EBT Pay For?

There’s an important distinction between what EBT pays for and what discounts are available to EBT cardholders. Your EBT card covers eligible food purchases at authorized retailers. The discounts covered here are separate: they’re savings programs that use EBT status as proof of eligibility. For details on what your card can purchase in your state, see the state EBT guides.

What Companies Give Discounts for EBT Recipients?

A growing list of retailers, service providers, and cultural institutions offer EBT card discounts. From grocery stores to museums to utility companies, here’s a breakdown of discounts for EBT cardholders by category.

Grocery Store Discounts

Major grocery chains offer EBT deals and savings programs for SNAP recipients. These programs typically provide exclusive digital coupons, reduced prices on staple items, and special promotions that stack with regular store sales. Verifying your government assistance status unlocks discounts you won't see as a standard shopper.

• Kroger Verified Savings provides exclusive digital coupons for customers receiving government assistance.

• Walmart+ Assist cuts the membership price by 50% for EBT cardholders.

• Target Circle offers discounts for verified customers on government assistance.

Beyond store programs, the Benny app helps EBT cardholders earn 1-3% cash back on SNAP purchases at stores like Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Costco. You can also access coupons for food from brands like Cheerios, Kraft Heinz, Quaker Oatmeal, and Dave’s Killer Bread.

Many farmers' markets double your EBT dollars on fresh produce through programs like Double Up Food Bucks. Check with your local farmers' market to see if they accept EBT and offer matching.

Streaming and Entertainment

A standard Amazon Prime membership costs around $15/month. Through Amazon Prime Access, SNAP recipients and Medicaid enrollees can get Amazon Prime for $6.99/month. This includes Prime Video, Prime Music, and free shipping on eligible items.

Many local parks and recreation departments also offer discounted tickets to concerts, festivals, and community events for low-income residents. Free youth programs and summer camps are often available for families receiving food assistance.

Museums and Cultural Attractions

The Museums for All program provides discounted admission of $5 or less per person for up to four people at participating museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and children’s museums. Over 1,600 locations participate nationwide. Cities like Washington, D.C. offer reduced admission at major attractions for EBT cardholders.

To get in, show your EBT card and a photo ID at the ticket counter. Some participating locations offer completely free admission. Search the Museums for All directory to find EBT discount places near you.

Delivery and Subscriptions

EBT cardholders can access discounted delivery memberships. DoorDash DashPass offers reduced fees for SNAP recipients, with $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible orders. For comparison, a standard DashPass costs $9.99/month, while the SNAP/EBT plan costs $4.99/month. 

Instacart provides a 50% discount for Instacart+ membership for EBT customers, which unlocks $0 delivery fees on grocery orders over $35. Instacart+ normally costs $9.99/month, but EBT customers pay $4.99/month for the first year. 

Amazon Fresh grocery delivery is included with Prime Access at no extra cost for orders over $25 ($35 in some areas), making it one of the better values if you already use Prime for shipping and streaming.

Warehouse Memberships

Sam's Club offers a 60% discount on a Club membership or $50 off a Plus membership for new members who receive qualifying government assistance, including SNAP. Note that the membership fee itself cannot be paid with an EBT card, and the discount applies only to new members. Costco, by contrast, does not offer a discounted membership for EBT users. 

Transportation

Many cities offer reduced-fare transit passes for low-income residents, including SNAP recipients. Contact your local transit authority to ask about discounted bus or subway passes. Some cities require a separate low-income ID card.

California residents on CalWORKs, SSI, or Tribal TANF can get free day-use entry to over 200 state parks through the Golden Bear Pass. Other states run similar programs. Bike share programs in cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles offer discounted annual memberships for EBT cardholders.

Energy and Utilities

SNAP households often auto-qualify for energy assistance programs. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay heating and cooling utility bills. The Weatherization Assistance Program provides free home improvements like insulation and furnace repairs to reduce energy costs.

Contact your utility company directly to ask about low-income rate plans. Many electric, gas, and water providers offer automatic discounts for households receiving SNAP benefits or other government benefits.

Phone and Internet

The Lifeline program provides up to $9.25 per month off internet or bundled phone-and-internet service for eligible households, or up to $5.25 off phone-only service. SNAP recipients qualify automatically. On tribal lands, the discount increases to up to $34.25. Wireless providers like Assurance Wireless and StandUp Wireless participate in Lifeline and offer free or discounted cell phone service to eligible households.

Internet service providers run their own low-cost plans. Comcast Internet Essentials offers home internet starting at $14.95/month for up to 75 Mbps (or $29.95/month for up to 100 Mbps) for households receiving SNAP, Medicaid, NSLP, or other qualifying benefits. Access from AT&T provides internet at $30/month for speeds up to 100 Mbps, with no equipment fees, deposit, or annual contract, for households participating in SNAP, the National School Lunch Program, or with income below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Gym and Wellness

The YMCA offers reduced membership rates (often 50% off or more) through its financial assistance program. Bring proof of SNAP enrollment when you sign up, and ask about sliding-scale pricing based on your household income. 

Many community centers, recreation departments, and public pools offer similar low-cost fitness memberships for low-income families. Some locations waive fees entirely for those receiving government assistance. Planet Fitness and other budget gyms don't offer specific EBT discounts, but their low base rates ($10-25/month) make them accessible options worth comparing.

Education

SNAP recipients can access fee waivers for GED tests, SAT/ACT exams, and college application fees. Check with your school counselor or testing center for documentation requirements. Students from SNAP households often qualify for Pell Grants and other need-based financial aid, since SNAP eligibility demonstrates financial need.

Public libraries offer free resources that go beyond books: computer access, Wi-Fi, job search assistance, resume help, and educational workshops. Many library systems provide free access to online learning platforms like LinkedIn Learning or Coursera. These services require only a library card.

The SNAP Employment & Training program provides job training, education support, and help finding work. Services vary by state but may include vocational training, transportation assistance, and job placement support. Contact your local SNAP office to learn about available programs.

Government and Community Services

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) provides free tax preparation for qualifying individuals, including SNAP recipients. Some courts offer fine and fee reduction programs for low-income individuals. USCIS offers fee waivers for immigration applications when applicants receive means-tested benefits like SNAP.

Nonprofits and community organizations often provide additional discounts for EBT holders. Child care assistance programs offer subsidized care for low-income families, with SNAP receipt simplifying eligibility. Many states also provide free or reduced-price school lunch for children in SNAP households. Ask your local social services office about resources in your area.

Get More From Your EBT Benefits with Benny

Benny is a free app that helps you track your EBT balance in real time and earn 1-3% cash back on SNAP purchases. 

To get started, download the app and link your EBT card. Benny works at Walmart, Target, Kroger, Safeway, Costco, Whole Foods, and other major retailers. There’s no subscription fee and no hidden costs.

Download Benny to take control of your spending and maximize your SNAP discounts.