The Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system in Minnesota enables low-income residents to receive their government benefits electronically. Among these benefits, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, plays a significant role in assisting families in purchasing groceries. However, EBT cardholders in Minnesota have access to more than just food subsidies. Numerous discounts and cost-saving opportunities are available, helping to stretch the value of their benefits further.
These discounts come in various forms, from reduced admission fees to museums and cultural institutions to discounts on services such as public transit. Some even offer special rates for educational resources, which can be particularly beneficial for families with children. Understanding the discounts available to EBT cardholders can substantially impact their economic well-being by providing access to resources that might otherwise be unaffordable.
Museum Discounts
Various museums in Minnesota offer reduced admission fees to individuals presenting an EBT card. For instance, The Science Museum of Minnesota provides a significantly discounted rate of $3 per person for up to four individuals per EBT card. Similarly, The Children’s Museum of Minnesota offers a discounted entrance fee of $3 per person, facilitating EBT cardholders to engage with educational exhibits at minimal costs.
Headwaters Science Center
- Location: Bemidji, Minnesota 56601
- Phone: 218-444-4472
Duluth Children’s Museum
- Location: Duluth, Minnesota 55806
- Phone: 218-733-7543
Public Transit Fare Reductions
EBT cardholders may be eligible for reduced fares on public transportation. Metro Transit, for example, offers a discount on fares through the Transportation Assistance Program (TAP). Under this program, single rides are available at nearly half price.
Educational Resources
Discounts on educational materials and services are also available. Organisations such as Minnesota EBT Education Partners provide affordable access to learning resources and tools. These may include discounted courses or free access to educational platforms.
Amazon Prime Discount
Residents of Minnesota who are EBT Card holders have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of Amazon Prime at a significantly reduced price. This initiative is part of Amazon’s collaboration with the USDA to enable online purchases with food stamps.
Pricing and Savings
- Standard Amazon Prime Subscription: $14.99 per month
- Discounted Rate for EBT Cardholders: $6.99 per month, offering more than 50% off the regular subscription fee.
Benefits of Amazon Prime EBT Discount
Amazon Prime membership offers a plethora of advantages that enhance the shopping and entertainment experience. Here’s what members can enjoy:
Expedited Shipping
- Free Fast Delivery: Get fast, free shipping on over 50 million eligible items.
- Free Same-Day Delivery: Available in certain metropolitan areas on over a million items.
- Free 2-Hour Delivery: Available through Prime Now on essentials and grocery items in select areas.
Digital Entertainment
- Movies and TV Shows: Unlimited instant streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows.
- Music Streaming: Access to over two million songs and thousands of playlists and stations without ads.
- Reading: Unlimited access to books and magazines across any device.
- Gaming with Twitch Prime: Includes free game content each month, exclusive discounts, and more.
Additional Perks
- Grocery Delivery: Purchase groceries online using your EBT card via Amazon Pantry in designated states.
- Audible Original Series: Unlimited listening to original audio series.
- Photo Storage: Free unlimited storage for all your photos.
Discounted Cell Phone Services
Below is a table listing the cell phone providers participating in the Lifeline program in Minnesota, along with their contact phone numbers.
| Company Name | Phone |
|---|---|
| Access Wireless | 866-594-3644 |
| American Broadband & Telecommunications | 866-966-2628 |
| Assurance Wireless | 888-898-4888 |
| Boomerang Wireless | 866-488-8719 |
| Life Wireless | 888-543-3620 |
| Q Link Wireless | 855-754-6543 |
| Sage Telecom Communications, LLC | 888-449-4940 |
| Safelink Wireless | 800-723-3546 |
| StandUP Wireless | 800-544-4441 |
| T-Mobile | 800-937-8997 |
| Tag Mobile, LLC | 866-959-4918 |
| TerraCom Wireless | 877-351-4747 |
| Tempo Telecom, LLC | 877-822-8501 |
Discounted Home Phone Services
Here is a table of home phone providers that participate in the Lifeline program in Minnesota, sorted with their contact information.
| Company Name | Phone |
|---|---|
| Ace Telephone Association | 888-404-4940 |
| Albany Mutual Telephone Association | 320-845-2101 |
| Alliance Communications | 605-594-3411 |
| Arrowhead Communications | 800-242-6111 |
| Barnesville Municipal Telephone | 218-354-2292 |
| Benton Cooperative Telephone Co. | 800-683-0372 |
| Blue Earth Valley Telephone Company | 800-473-1442 |
| Callaway Telephone Company | 888-992-7844 |
| Canon Valley Telecom, Inc. | 800-473-1442 |
| CenturyLink | 800-407-5411 |
| Christensen Communications Company | 507-642-5555 |
| Clara City Telephone Company | 320-847-2211 |
| Clements Telephone Company | 507-641-8000 |
| Consolidated Communications of Mid-Comm. Company | 844-968-7224 |
| Consolidated Telephone Company | 701-483-4000 |
| Crosslake Telephone Company | 218-692-2777 |
| Dunnell Telephone Company | 800-657-3602 |
| Eagle Valley Telephone Company | 218-756-2312 |
| East Otter Tail Telephone Company | 888-892-7844 |
| Easton Telephone Company | 800-473-1442 |
| Eckles Telephone Company | 800-473-1442 |
| Emily Cooperative Telephone Company | 218-763-3000 |
| Farmers Mutual Telephone Company | 320-568-2105 |
| Federated Telephone Cooperative | 800-374-7133 |
| Felton Telephone Company | 800-242-6111 |
| Frontier Communications | 800-921-8101 |
| Gardonville Cooperative Telephone Assn. | 320-524-2211 |
| Garden Valley Telephone Company | 888-830-6393 |
| Halstad Telephone Company | 218-456-2125 |
| Harmony Telephone Company | 507-886-2525 |
| Home Telephone | 507-754-5115 |
| Hutchinson Telephone Company | 888-873-6853 |
| ITC Telecom | 800-417-8667 |
| Johnson Telephone Company | 218-566-2302 |
| Kasson and Mantorville Telephone Company | 507-634-2511 |
| Lismore Cooperative Telephone Company | 507-472-8748 |
| Lonsdale Telephone Company | 507-744-2311 |
| Loretel Systems | 218-784-5151 |
| Lowry Telephone Association | 320-283-5101 |
| Mabel Cooperative Telephone Company | 507-493-5411 |
| Manchester-Hartland Telephone Company | 507-826-3212 |
| Midcontinent Communications dba Midco | 800-888-1300 |
| Midwest Telephone Company | 218-338-4000 |
| Minnesota Valley Telephone Company | 800-247-2320 |
| New Ulm Telecom | 800-303-7039 |
| Northern Telephone Company | 218-488-6565 |
| Osakis Telephone Company | 320-859-2700 |
| Park Region Telephone Company | 800-247-2706 |
| Paul Bunyan Telephone Cooperative | 218-444-1234 |
| Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative | 712-434-5989 |
| Pine Island Telephone Company | 800-473-1442 |
| Redwood County Telephone Company | 507-342-8000 |
| Rothsay Telephone Company | 218-867-2111 |
| Runestone Telephone Association | 320-986-2013 |
| Sacred Heart Telephone Company | 320-765-2235 |
| Sleepy Eye Telephone Company | 507-794-3361 |
| SouthWest Minnesota Broadband Services | 507-662-7000 |
| Spring Grove Communications | 507-498-3456 |
| Starbuck Telephone Company | 320-239-2211 |
| TDS Telecom/Arvig Telephone Company | 888-225-5837 |
| TDS Telecom/Bridge Water Telephone Co. | 888-225-5837 |
| TDS Telecom/Mid-State Telephone Company | 888-225-5837 |
| TDS Telecom/Winsted Telephone Company | 888-225-5837 |
| TEKSTAR Communications | 218-346-5500 |
| Tempo Telecom, LLC | 877-822-8501 |
| TerraCom Wireless | 877-351-4747 |
| Twin Valley-Ulen Telephone Company | 218-584-5111 |
| Upsala Cooperative Telephone Association | 320-573-1390 |
| Valley Telephone Company | 800-421-5712 |
| West Central Telephone Association | 218-837-5151 |
| Western Telephone Company | 888-873-6853 |
| Wikstrom Telephone Company | 218-436-2121 |
| Wilderness Valley Telephone Company | 218-488-6565 |
| Windstream Communications | 800-347-1991 |
| Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association | 641-592-6105 |
| Winthrop Telephone Company | 507-647-5395 |
| Woodstock Telephone Company | 800-752-9397 |
| Zumbrota Telephone Company | 507-732-5103 |
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is designed to help EBT cardholders by offering substantial discounts on internet services, enhancing digital access for eligible households.
Benefits of the ACP
Monthly Internet Service Discount
- Amount: Households receive a $30 discount each month on their internet service.
One-Time Discount on Devices
- Eligibility: Includes a one-time $100 discount.
- Applicable Devices: This discount can be used towards the purchase of a laptop, desktop, or tablet.
Additional Savings
- Combined Savings: The $30 monthly internet credit can be combined with Lifeline phone service, offering further reductions on both phone and internet bills each month.
Be sure to check out our other articles about Minnesota Food Stamps and EBT.