Electronic Benefits Transfer, or EBT, is a system that allows state welfare departments in the United States to issue benefits via a magnetically-encoded payment card, similar to a debit card. In Michigan, these EBT cards enable qualifying residents to receive their food assistance and cash benefits electronically. The card is commonly referred to as the Michigan Bridge Card, and it is widely accepted at various outlets across the state, including grocery stores, farmers markets, and some retail locations.
Beyond purchasing food items, the Michigan EBT program reciprocates with extra discounts and perks for cardholders. These discounts are designed to support low-income families and individuals in accessing a variety of essential services, including discounted transportation, reduced admission fees to cultural institutions, and even discounted utilities in some cases. The purpose of these added benefits is to alleviate financial burdens and facilitate access to resources that can improve the quality of life for those relying on public assistance programs.
Museums and Cultural Institutions
Cardholders may enjoy reduced admission fees at many museums and cultural institutions. This includes a discounted entry for both adults and children, allowing families to explore and learn at a fraction of the cost.
- Detroit Institute of Arts: Reduced admission fee of $3 per person for up to four individuals per EBT card.
- Grand Rapids Children’s Museum: $1.75 per person for up to 6 people with the presentation of a Michigan EBT card.
Michigan Science Center
5020 John R. Street
Detroit, Michigan 48202
313-577-8400
Impression 5 Science Center
200 Museum Drive
Lansing, Michigan 48933
517-485-8116
Flint Institute of Arts
1120 East Kearsley Street
Flint, Michigan 48503
810-234-1695
Flint Children’s Museum
1602 W. University Ave.
Flint, Michigan 48504
810-767-5437
Saginaw Art Museum
1126 North Michigan Avenue
Saginaw, Michigan 48602
989-754-2491
Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum
5093 E. Remus Rd.
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 48858
989-317-3221
Alden B. Dow Museum
1801 W. St. Andrews
Midland, Michigan 48640
989-631-5930
Kids ‘N’ Stuff Children’s Museum
301 S. Superior Street
Albion, Michigan 49224
517-629-8023
Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
11 Sheldon Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
616-235-4726
Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA)
2 Fulton West
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
616-454-7000
Grand Rapids Art Museum
101 Monroe Center St NW
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
616-831-1000
Forever Curious Children’s Museum
202 E Main St
Fennville, Michigan 49408 United States
(269) 561-8494
Public Transportation Options
Reduced fares on public transportation can be a significant help, facilitating travel for work, school, or leisure.
- DDOT (Detroit Department of Transportation): Reduced fare cards available for those with valid EBT cards.
- The Rapid in Grand Rapids: Offers a fare reduction program where eligible EBT cardholders can apply for a Wave card at discounted rates.
Educational Resources and Assistance
EBT benefits extend to educational programs, providing families and individuals with support for critical learning resources.
- Michigan’s Path to Literacy Program: Offers literacy classes with materials at no cost for EBT recipients.
- Michigan State University Extension: Provides workshops on nutrition education and cooking demonstrations to EBT cardholders for free or at a low cost.
Amazon Prime Discount for EBT Cardholders
If you are a holder of a Michigan Bridge Card, you can now access Amazon Prime at a reduced rate through the Amazon Prime EBT Discount. This program allows you to enjoy all the premium features of Prime membership for less than half the regular monthly fee.
Prime Membership Costs
- Regular Cost: $12.99 per month
- Discounted Cost with EBT Card: $5.99 per month
Benefits of the EBT Discount
Amazon is part of the USDA’s pilot program that allows vendors to accept food stamps online, including for delivery services. This means that Prime members can use their benefits to purchase groceries through Amazon Pantry in select regions.
What Does Amazon Prime Offer?
- Fast, Free Delivery: Free shipping on over 50 million items. Certain urban areas also benefit from free same-day delivery on more than a million items and free two-hour delivery on essentials through Prime Now.
- Streaming Entertainment: Unlimited instant streaming of TV shows and movies is available. This service is accessible on various devices including Smart TVs, Roku, Xbox, Amazon Fire TV, as well as iOS and Android devices.
- Additional Perks:
- Grocery Shopping: Use your EBT card to order groceries through Amazon Pantry for home delivery (available in specific states).
- Music: Enjoy over two million songs and thousands of playlists and stations without ads.
- Reading: Unlimited access to books and magazines on any device.
- Audible Original Series: Unlimited listening to original audio programs from Audible.
- Twitch Prime: Access free game content monthly, exclusive discounts, and more.
- Photo Storage: Unlimited free photo storage to secure all your pictures in one place.
Discounted Cell Phone Services
The following table provides a list of cell phone providers that are part of the Lifeline program in Michigan, offering discounted services:
| Company Name | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Access Wireless | 866-594-3644 |
| American Broadband & Telecommunications | 866-966-2628 |
| Assurance Wireless | 888-898-4888 |
| AT&T Mobility | 800-377-9450 |
| Boomerang Wireless | 866-488-8719 |
| FeelSafe Wireless (Air Voice) | 877-247-7799 |
| Life Wireless | 888-543-3620 |
| Q Link Wireless | 855-754-6543 |
| Safelink Wireless | 800-723-3546 |
| SafetyNet Wireless | 888-224-3213 |
| Sage Telecom Communications, LLC | 866-385-7281 |
| StandUP Wireless | 800-544-4441 |
| Tag Mobile | 866-959-4918 |
| Tempo Telecom | 877-822-8501 |
| Thumb Cellular | 866-321-2323 |
Discounted Home Phone Services
Below is an organized list of home phone providers that participate in the Lifeline program in Michigan, providing discounted services:
| Company Name | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| AcenTek | 888-404-4940 |
| Ace Telephone Company of Michigan, Inc | 888-404-4940 |
| AT&T | 855-301-0355 |
| Baraga Telephone Company | 906-353-6644 |
| Barry County Telephone Company | 866-321-2323 |
| Blanchard Telephone | 989-561-9930 |
| Bloomingdale Telephone Company | 800-377-3130 |
| Carr Telephone Company | 231-898-2244 |
| CenturyLink | 800-407-5411 |
| Chapin Telephone Company | 989-661-2476 |
| Climax Telephone Company | 800-627-5287 |
| Deerfield Farmers’ Telephone Co. | 800-311-7340 |
| Frontier Communications | 800-921-8101 |
| Global Connection of America | 877-511-3009 |
| Hiawatha Telephone Company | 866-321-2323 |
| Kaleva Telephone Company | 866-321-2323 |
| Lennon Telephone Company | 810-621-3301 |
| Michigan Central Broadband Company | 906-639-1111 |
| Midway Telephone Company | 866-321-2323 |
| North American Local | 877-200-1427 |
| Ogden Telephone Company | 517-443-5595 |
| Ontonagon County Telephone Company | 866-321-2323 |
| Pigeon Telephone Company | 800-292-0614 |
| Sand Creek Telephone Company | 866-380-5721 |
| Springport Telephone Company | 517-857-3100 |
| TDS Telecom/Chatham Telephone Company | 888-225-5837 |
| TDS Telecom/Communications Corporation of Michigan | 888-225-5837 |
| TDS Telecom/Island Telephone Company | 888-225-5837 |
| TDS Telecom/Shiawassee Telephone Company | 888-225-5837 |
| TDS Telecom/Wolverine Telephone Company | 888-225-5837 |
| Truestream | 888-485-2537 |
| Upper Peninsula Telephone Company | 855-642-4227 |
| Waldron Telephone Company | 517-286-6211 |
| Westphalia Telephone Company | 855-878-0210 |
| Winn Telephone Company | 989-866-2421 |
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) offers significant discounts to households with EBT cardholders to help reduce the cost of internet services and devices. Here are the key benefits:
- Monthly Internet Discount: Households receive a $30 discount each month on their internet service.
- One-Time Device Discount: Eligible households can also benefit from a one-time $100 discount on the purchase of a laptop, desktop, or tablet.
- Combined Savings: The $30 monthly internet discount can be combined with the Lifeline phone service discount, offering additional savings on both phone and internet bills each month.
Be sure to check out our other articles about Michigan Food Stamps and EBT.