Electronic Benefit Transfer, or EBT, is a system that allows state welfare departments to issue benefits via a magnetically encoded payment card, used in the United States. In Idaho, the EBT system is an important resource for low-income families and individuals, providing them with the means to purchase food and essential items. The benefits are part of various assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). However, beyond merely facilitating the purchase of goods, Idaho’s EBT offers additional discounts and benefits, making it a valuable tool for stretching tight budgets further.
Idaho EBT discounts can provide substantial savings on a variety of services and recreational opportunities. These discounts are designed to support families in accessing cultural experiences, local attractions, and educational opportunities that might otherwise be financially out of reach. For instance, discounts or free admissions to museums, zoos, and educational centers can enrich the lives of low-income households by providing access to learning experiences and family activities without the burden of added expense.
Museum and Cultural Discounts
Eligible participants with an Idaho EBT card may gain discounted or free admission to museums and cultural institutions.
Participating Museums in Idaho
Discovery Center of Idaho
- Location: 131 W. Myrtle Street, Boise, Idaho 83702
- Contact: 208-343-9895
- Note: A haven for curious minds, offering interactive science exhibits.
Idaho State Museum
- Location: 610 Julia Davis Dr., Boise, Idaho 83702 United States
- Contact: (208) 334-2120
- Note: Explore Idaho’s rich history through engaging exhibitions and collections.
Public Transit Fare Reductions
Public transportation agencies frequently provide reduced fares for EBT cardholders. This initiative aims to make commuting more affordable for low-income individuals. Essential details, such as the percentage of discount and eligibility criteria, are often specified by individual transit authorities.
Educational Benefits
In some cases, EBT cards can unlock educational opportunities. These benefits may include discounted tuition rates for certain courses or programs at community colleges or other educational institutions that acknowledge the EBT program as a qualifying factor for financial assistance.
Discounted Utilities and Services
Utility companies may offer EBT discounts in the form of lower monthly bills. These typically cover essential services like electricity, heating, water, and telecommunications. Enrolled users should contact their service providers to learn about available EBT discounts and application procedures.
Lifeline Program Cell Phone Providers in Idaho
Here’s a table of the cell phone service providers participating in the Lifeline program in Idaho, along with their contact numbers:
| Company Name | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Access Wireless | 866-594-3644 |
| Assurance Wireless | 888-898-4888 |
| AT&T Mobility | 800-377-9450 |
| Inland Cellular | 208-798-0245 |
| Q Link Wireless | 855-754-6543 |
| Safelink Wireless | 800-723-3546 |
| Syringa Wireless | 866-541-7464 |
Discounted Home Phone Services in Idaho
The following table lists the home phone service providers participating in the Lifeline program in Idaho. Each provider’s contact number is also provided for your convenience.
| Company Name | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Albion Telephone Company | 208-673-5335 |
| Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative, Inc. | 866-541-5000 |
| Cambridge Telephone Company | 208-257-3314 |
| CenturyLink | 800-407-5411 |
| Custer Telephone Cooperative | 208-879-2281 |
| Direct Communications | 208-548-2683 |
| Filer Mutual Telephone Company | 208-326-4331 |
| Farmers Mutual Telephone Company | 320-568-2105 |
| Fremont Telcom Co. | 866-541-5000 |
| Frontier Communications | 800-921-8101 |
| Mud Lake Telephone | 208-374-5401 |
| Project Mutual Telephone Cooperative | 800-322-4074 |
| RTI | 888-366-7821 |
| Silver Star Telecom | 307-883-2411 |
| TDS Telecom/Potlatch Telephone Company, Inc | 888-225-5837 |
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) offers significant savings on internet services for EBT Cardholders, helping to make digital connectivity more accessible for eligible households.
Program Benefits
- Monthly Internet Discount: Eligible households receive a $30 monthly discount on their internet service.
- One-Time Technology Discount: There’s also a one-time discount of up to $100 towards the purchase of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet, making technology more affordable.
Additional Savings Opportunity
- Combine with Lifeline: You can further increase your savings by combining the $30 ACP internet credit with the Lifeline phone service discount. This allows for even greater reductions on your monthly phone and internet bills.
Amazon Prime Discount for EBT Cardholders
Amazon offers an exclusive Prime membership discount for individuals with an Idaho EBT Card, enabling access to Prime’s myriad of benefits at a significantly reduced cost.
Discounted Prime Membership
- Regular Price: The standard cost of Amazon Prime membership is $14.99 per month.
- Discounted Price for EBT Cardholders: If you possess an EBT Card, you’re eligible for Prime Membership at just $6.99 per month, saving over 50%.
Prime Membership Perks
1. Groceries and Delivery
- USDA Pilot Program: As part of a USDA pilot program, Amazon permits the use of food stamps online for eligible items, offering delivery services through Amazon Pantry in select areas.
2. Free and Fast Shipping
- Vast Selection: Members enjoy free, swift shipping on over 50 million eligible items across Amazon.com.
- Same-Day and 2-Hour Delivery: In certain urban locales, free Same-Day Delivery is available on over a million items, plus free 2-hour delivery on daily essentials and groceries via Prime Now.
3. Entertainment
- Movies and TV Shows: Instantly stream thousands of movies and TV shows at no extra cost, accessible on a variety of devices including Smart TVs, Roku, Xbox, Amazon Fire TV, iPhones, tablets, and Android devices.
4. Additional Prime Advantages
- Online Grocery Shopping: Use your EBT Card to purchase groceries online via Amazon Pantry, available in certain states.
- Music Streaming: Access over two million songs and countless playlists and stations without ads.
- Reading Material: Unlimited reading on any device, including books and magazines.
- Audible Original Series: Unlimited listening to original audio series from Audible.
- Twitch Prime: Receive free monthly game content, exclusive discounts, and more.
- Photo Storage: Unlimited free photo storage for consolidating all your photos.
Be sure to check out our other articles about Idaho Food Stamps and EBT.