Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards are a vital part of the assistance provided to low-income individuals and families in South Dakota. These cards function similarly to debit cards, allowing users to purchase food and other essentials from participating stores. The South Dakota EBT program, primarily designed to support the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also offers discounts and savings on various services, helping recipients to stretch their benefits further and improve their quality of life.
The state of South Dakota has partnerships with numerous organizations and service providers to offer these discounts to EBT cardholders. These benefits extend beyond food assistance, encompassing areas such as educational resources, museum admissions, and other cultural experiences. The initiative aims to reduce financial barriers, affording all residents the opportunity to engage in community activities and access valuable services.
Museum Discounts
Many museums in South Dakota offer reduced admission fees to EBT cardholders. For example, the Children’s Museum of South Dakota provides a discounted rate of $1 per person for up to four individuals in the same household. Furthermore, the South Dakota Discovery Center extends a similar discount to EBT cardholders, granting them entry for $1 per person.
- Museum of Geology
Address: 501 E. Saint Joseph St. O’Harra Bldg, 3rd Flr, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701
Phone: (605) 394-2467 - Children’s Museum of South Dakota
Address: 521 4th Street, Brookings, South Dakota 57006
Phone: 605-692-6700
Educational Benefits
EBT cardholders in South Dakota may also be eligible for educational benefits. The South Dakota State Library has initiatives in place to assist those with EBT cards by waiving certain fees and providing access to online educational resources. They may also obtain discounted internet services, enhancing access to education from home. Some local community organizations and public schools partner with the program to offer additional educational support and activities at a reduced cost or for free.
Amazon Prime EBT Discount
Residents of South Dakota with an EBT Card are eligible for a significant discount on Amazon Prime membership. Normally priced at $14.99 per month, the special EBT rate is only $6.99 per month, which is more than a 50% reduction.
Online Grocery Shopping with EBT
Amazon participates in the USDA pilot program that permits online grocery shopping with food stamps in designated areas. This initiative includes the ability to order through Amazon Pantry as part of your Prime benefits.
Prime Membership Benefits
- Fast, Free Delivery: Enjoy free shipping on over 50 million eligible items.
- Same-Day and 2-Hour Delivery: In certain metropolitan areas, Prime members benefit from free same-day delivery on over a million products and two-hour delivery for daily essentials via Prime Now.
Entertainment
- Streaming TV Shows and Movies: Prime membership grants you instant access to thousands of TV shows and movies at no extra cost, available on various devices including Smart TVs, Roku, Xbox, Amazon Fire TV, iPhones, tablets, and Android devices.
Additional Prime Advantages
- Grocery Shopping: Use your EBT card to buy groceries online for delivery through Amazon Pantry in applicable states.
- Music Streaming: Access over two million songs and thousands of playlists and stations without ads.
- Reading: Unlimited access to books and magazines on any device.
- Audible Originals: Unlimited listening to original audio series from Audible.
- Twitch Prime: Receive free game content monthly, exclusive discounts, and more.
- Photo Storage: Unlimited free storage for all your photos.
Lifeline Program Participating Cell Phone Providers in South Dakota
The following table lists the cell phone providers that participate in the Lifeline program within South Dakota, providing essential contact details for each company.
| Company Name | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| AT&T Mobility | 800-377-9450 |
| Swiftel Communications | 605-692-6211 |
| Standing Rock Telecom | 701-854-7098 |
Lifeline Program Participating Home Phone Providers in South Dakota
Below is a table listing the home phone providers that participate in the Lifeline program in South Dakota, along with their contact details.
| Company Name | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Alliance Communications | 605-594-3411 |
| Beresford Municipal Telephone | 605-763-2500 |
| C.R.S.T. Telephone Authority | 605-964-2600 |
| CenturyLink | 800-407-5411 |
| City of Faith Municipal Telephone Company | 605-967-2261 |
| Consolidated Telcom | 888-225-5282 |
| Golden West Telecommunications | 855-888-7777 |
| ITC Telecom | 800-417-8667 |
| James Valley Cooperative Telephone Company | 800-556-6525 |
| Kennebec Telephone Company | 605-869-2220 |
| Midcontinent Communications dba Midco | 800-888-1300 |
| Midstate Communications | 605-778-6221 |
| Midstate Telecom, Inc | 888-214-1431 |
| Mt. Rushmore Telephone Company | 605-666-4411 |
| Northern Valley Communications | 800-556-6525 |
| Roberts County Telephone Cooperative Association | 800-256-6854 |
| Santel Communications | 605-796-4411 |
| Standing Rock Telecom | 701-854-7098 |
| Swiftel Communications | 605-692-6211 |
| TrioTel Communications, Inc. | 800-242-1925 |
| Valley Telecommunications Cooperative Association | 605-437-2615 |
| Venture Communications | 800-824-7282 |
| West River Telecom | 800-748-7220 |
| Western Telephone Company | 800-824-7282 |
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) for EBT Cardholders
The Affordable Connectivity Program offers significant savings for EBT Cardholders on internet services, enhancing affordability and accessibility:
- Monthly Internet Discount: Qualifying households receive a $30 reduction on their monthly internet bill.
- One-Time Device Discount: Participants may also receive a one-time $100 discount towards purchasing an eligible laptop, desktop, or tablet.
Additional Savings Opportunity
- Combining Services: The $30 ACP internet credit can be combined with Lifeline phone services, allowing for further savings on both phone and internet expenses each month.
Be sure to check out our other articles about South Dakota Food Stamps and EBT.