Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards in Tennessee are an essential tool for many residents requiring assistance to purchase food through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These EBT cards function like debit cards, allowing users to access their benefits at participating grocery stores and farmers’ markets across the state. Beyond providing funds for food purchases, the EBT program also offers additional benefits and discounts that cardholders might not be aware of.
Tennessee’s EBT program has partnered with various organizations and services to provide discounts and free access to educational and cultural attractions. These include museums, zoos, and science centers, which can be educational resources for families and individuals looking to expand their knowledge and experiences without undue financial burden. Understanding the full range of discounts available to EBT cardholders can help maximize the use of benefits and provide more opportunities for personal growth and family entertainment.
Museums and Cultural Venues
Many museums and cultural venues in Tennessee offer reduced admission fees to EBT cardholders. This allows individuals and families to enjoy educational experiences at a fraction of the cost. For example, the Memphis Zoo offers a discounted rate of $3 per person for up to four people per EBT card.
- Adventure Science Center
- 800 Fort Negley Blvd.
- Nashville, Tennessee 37203
- (615) 862-5160
- Hunter Museum of American Art
- 10 Bluff View
- Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403
- 423-267-0968
- Frist Art Museum
- 919 Broadway
- Nashville, Tennessee 37203
- (615) 244-3340
- Museum of East Tennessee History
- 601 South Gay Street PO Box 1629
- Knoxville, Tennessee 37901
- 865-215-8830
- Discovery Park of America
- 830 Everett Blvd.
- Union City, Tennessee 38261
- (731) 885-5455
- Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge
- 461 W. Outer Dr.
- Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830
- (865) 482-1074
- aMuse’um, Columbia Children’s Museum
- 123 W 7th St
- Columbia, Tennessee 38401
- (931) 223-6337
- Creative Discovery Museum
- 321 Chestnut Street
- Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402
- 423-756-2738
- The Blues Foundation’s Blues Hall of Fame Museum
- 421 South Main Street
- Memphis, Tennessee 38103
- (901) 527-2583
Public Transportation Discounts
EBT cardholders may be eligible for discounts on public transportation. In some areas, these discounts come in the form of reduced fare passes. For instance, the Nashville MTA offers a reduced fare of $0.85 for a single ride to customers who present their EBT card.
Educational Benefits
Tennessee EBT cardholders have access to educational benefits that support lifelong learning. For example, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP Ed) offers free nutritional education to help families with low incomes make healthier eating choices.
Amazon Prime EBT Discount
Individuals with a Benefit Security Card can take advantage of the Amazon Prime EBT Discount, allowing them to enjoy the myriad benefits of Prime membership at significantly reduced costs.
- Standard Prime Cost: Normally $14.99 per month
- Discounted Rate with EBT Card: Only $6.99 per month, saving over 50%
Eligibility and Online Grocery Purchases
Amazon participates in the USDA pilot, which approves selected vendors to accept food stamps online. This enables Prime members to buy groceries via Amazon Pantry in specified regions.
Prime Membership Benefits
Below are the core benefits that come with your Amazon Prime membership, enhancing both convenience and entertainment value.
- Free, Rapid Delivery:
- Free shipping on over 50 million eligible items
- Free Same-Day Delivery in select metropolitan areas on over a million items
- Free 2-hour delivery on daily essentials and groceries via Prime Now
- Streaming and Entertainment:
- Unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows
- Accessible on various devices including Smart TVs, Roku, Xbox, Amazon Fire TV, smartphones, and tablets
Additional Perks of Amazon Prime
- Grocery Shopping: Purchase groceries online using your EBT card through Amazon Pantry (where available).
- Music and Playlists: Enjoy over two million songs and thousands of playlists ad-free.
- Reading Material: Unlimited reading across 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: Benefit from free unlimited photo storage to keep all your photos in one place.
Discounted Cell Phone Services
Here is a table listing the cell phone providers participating in the Lifeline program in Tennessee, along with their contact numbers:
| Company Name | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Mobile Nation | 877-732-2147 |
| Safelink Wireless | 800-723-3546 |
| Assurance Wireless | 888-898-4888 |
| Access Wireless | 866-594-3644 |
Discounted Home Phone Services
The following table lists the home phone providers participating in the Lifeline program in Tennessee, including their contact information:
| Company Name | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Aeneas Internet and Telephone | Not Provided |
| AT&T | 855-301-0355 |
| Ardmore Telephone Company | 931-427-7800 |
| Ben Lomand Communications | 800-974-7779 |
| Ben Lomand Rural Telephone CooperativeCommunications | 931-668-4131 |
| Bledsoe Telephone Cooperative | 423-447-2121 |
| CenturyLink | 800-407-5411 |
| DTC Communications | 615-529-2955 |
| Frontier Communications | 800-921-8101 |
| Global Connection | 877-511-3009 |
| Highland Telephone Cooperative | 423-628-2121 |
| Loretto Telephone Company | 931-853-4351 |
| Millington Telephone Company | 901-872-3311 |
| North Central | 615-666-2151 |
| TDS Telecom/Humphreys County Telephone Company | 888-225-5837 |
| TDS Telecom/Tellico Telephone Company, Inc. | 888-225-5837 |
| TDS Telecom/Tennessee Telephone Company | 888-225-5837 |
| TEC – Alamo Division | 731-677-8181 |
| TEC – Erin Division | 931-289-4221 |
| Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative Corporation | 931-268-2151 |
| United Telephone Company | 800-779-2227 |
| WK&T Telecommunications | 877-954-8748 |
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Benefits
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) offers substantial discounts to households with EBT cards, including:
- Monthly Internet Discount: A $30 reduction on monthly internet service fees.
Additional Hardware Discount
- One-Time Device Discount: Eligible participants can receive a one-time $100 discount on the purchase of a laptop, desktop, or tablet.
Combined Savings Opportunity
- Combined Lifeline Benefits: Combine the $30 ACP internet discount with Lifeline phone service discounts to further lower monthly expenses on both phone and internet services.
Be sure to check out our other articles about Tennessee Food Stamps and EBT.