The South Carolina Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system is a financial assistance program designed to help eligible low-income families and individuals purchase food and essential items. In South Carolina, this system operates under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and is also linked to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits. Recipients use an electronic card that functions like a debit card to access their benefits at participating retailers.
In addition to facilitating basic purchases, the South Carolina EBT program provides several discounts and perks to cardholders. These discounts are aimed at supporting beneficiaries beyond their nutritional needs, allowing them access to educational resources, public transportation, and cultural experiences. Museums, theme parks, and other recreational venues offer reduced admission prices upon presentation of a valid EBT card, serving as an incentive for families to engage in community and educational activities.
Museum Discounts
- EdVenture Children’s Museum: Columbia
- Address: 211 Gervais St., Columbia, South Carolina 29201
- Phone: (803) 779-3100
- The Sandbox: An Interactive Children’s Museum
- Address: 18A Pope Ave, Hilton Head, South Carolina 29928
- Phone: (843) 842-7645
- Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry
- Address: 25 Ann Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29403
- Phone: 843-853-8962
- The Children’s Museum of the Upstate
- Address: 300 College Street, Greenville, South Carolina 29601
- Phone: (864) 233-7755
- The Children’s Museum of the Upstate – Spartanburg
- Address: 130 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29302
- Phone: (864) 553-7952
- Carolina Music Museum
- Address: 516 Buncombe Street, Greenville, South Carolina 29601
- Phone: (864) 520-8807
- Upcountry History Museum – Furman University
- Address: 540 Buncombe Street, Greenville, South Carolina 29601
- Phone: 864-467-3100
Zoo and Aquarium Discounts
- Riverbanks Zoo and Garden: Discounted entry for individuals showing their EBT card
- South Carolina Aquarium: Offers a reduced rate for EBT participants
Grocery Savings
- Certain farmers markets provide a Double SNAP benefit, doubling the value of EBT purchases for fresh produce.
Public Transportation Deals
- Some regional transit authorities might offer a discounted rate on bus fare for EBT cardholders.
Educational Program Benefits
- Discounts on educational programs, including after-school activities and summer camps, are frequently available for families using EBT.
Amazon Prime Discount for EBT Cardholders
Residents of South Carolina who are EBT cardholders can now access the Amazon Prime Discount, offering the full benefits of a Prime membership at a significantly reduced cost. Typically priced at $12.99 per month, eligible EBT cardholders can avail themselves of Prime Membership for just $5.99 per month—a saving of more than 50%.
Shopping Benefits with Prime
Amazon is an approved participant in the USDA pilot program, allowing online purchases with food stamps for delivery in select regions. As a Prime member, you can utilize your benefits to order groceries through Amazon Pantry.
Prime Membership Benefits
Expedited Shipping
- Free Shipping: Get fast, free delivery on over 50 million eligible items.
- Same-Day and 2-Hour Delivery: Residents in certain cities can enjoy free same-day delivery on over a million products and free two-hour delivery on daily essentials through Prime Now.
Entertainment
- Streaming: Instantly stream thousands of TV shows and movies at no extra cost.
- Compatible Devices: Stream on various devices including select Smart TVs, Roku, Xbox, Amazon Fire TV, iPhones, tablets, and Android devices.
Additional Perks
- Grocery Delivery: Use your EBT card to buy groceries online for delivery via Amazon Pantry in participating states.
- Music Streaming: Access over two million songs and thousands of playlists and stations without ads.
- Reading Material: Enjoy unlimited reading on any device with a vast selection of 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: Benefit from free unlimited photo storage, keeping all your memories in one place.
Discounted Cell Phone Providers in South Carolina
The following table lists the cell phone providers that participate in the Lifeline program in South Carolina, offering discounted services:
| Company Name | Phone |
|---|---|
| Access Wireless | 866-594-3644 |
| American Broadband & Telecommunications | 866-966-2628 |
| Assurance Wireless | 888-898-4888 |
| Boomerang Wireless | 866-488-8719 |
| FeelSafe Wireless | 877-247-7799 |
| FTC Communications | 888-218-5050 |
| Life Wireless | 888-543-3620 |
| Q Link Wireless | 855-754-6543 |
| Safelink Wireless | 800-723-3546 |
| StandUP Wireless | 800-544-4441 |
| Tag Mobile | 866-959-4918 |
| Tempo Telecom | 877-822-8501 |
Discounted Home Phone Providers in South Carolina
Below is a table listing the home phone providers participating in the Lifeline program in South Carolina, providing discounted services:
| Company Name | Phone |
|---|---|
| AT&T | 855-301-0355 |
| CenturyLink | 800-407-5411 |
| Chesnee Telephone Company | 864-461-2211 |
| Chester Telephone Company | 803-385-2191 |
| Farmers Independent Telephone Company | 715-463-5322 |
| Fort Mill Telephone Company | 803-548-9011 |
| Frontier Communications | 800-921-8101 |
| Hargray Telephone Company | 877-427-4729 |
| Home Telephone | |
| Horry Telephone Cooperative | 843-365-2154 |
| Lancaster Telephone Company | 803-286-7117 |
| Lockhart Telephone Company | 864-545-2291 |
| Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative | 866-788-6565 |
| PBT Telecom | 803-894-3121 |
| Piedmont Rural Telephone (PRTC) | 843-538-2020 |
| Rock Hill Telephone Company | |
| Ridgeway Telephone Company | |
| Sandhill Telephone Cooperative | 843-658-3434 |
| TDS Telecom/McClellanville Telephone Company, Inc. | 888-225-5837 |
| TDS Telecom/Norway Telephone Co., Inc. | 888-225-5837 |
| TDS Telecom/St. Stephen Telephone Company | 888-225-5837 |
| TDS Telecom/Williston Telephone Company | 888-225-5837 |
| West Carolina Rural Telephone Cooperative | 864-446-2111 |
| Windstream Communications | 800-347-1991 |
Affordable Connectivity Program for EBT Cardholders
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) offers significant discounts to EBT cardholders to help lower the cost of internet services. Here are the key benefits provided under this program:
Monthly Internet Discount
- $30 Monthly Credit: Eligible households receive a monthly $30 discount on their internet bills, reducing the cost of staying connected.
Additional One-Time Discount
- $100 Device Discount: There’s a one-time opportunity to receive a $100 discount towards the purchase of a laptop, desktop, or tablet, helping to make technology more affordable.
Combined Savings with Lifeline
- Enhanced Savings: Combine the $30 ACP internet discount with your existing Lifeline phone service benefits to increase your overall monthly savings on telecommunications expenses.
Be sure to check out our other articles about South Carolina Food Stamps and EBT.