This Article is for the 99 Percent…

The 99 percent? And who might that be, you ask?

The working poor, the damn near, and all the people with friends and family in both categories.

I’m going to interrupt you for just a second because there’s something I think you need to know.

You can use your EBT card to shop for groceries on Amazon.

Yes, you heard that correctly. Your EBT card can be used on Amazon.

Now, I know some of you don’t have an EBT card, but I bet you know someone who does. I bet you know someone who works hard to provide for their families and yet still has trouble making ends meet at the end of the month.

I bet you know someone receiving SNAP benefits who would like the convenience of shopping on Amazon like the rest of us.

Now, in full disclosure, I am a new Amazon associate and I make money by promoting products and services for Amazon.

While looking for products and services to promote, I came across the Amazon Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)program, where beneficiaries can register their EBT card and shop online.

I had never heard of this program, so I called a few people to ask if they knew about it. They too were clueless, but very interested.

So today, instead of promoting a blender or some other pricey item that you probably don’t need, I decided to share a program that actually benefits the working poor.

If you or someone you know would like to sign up to use an EBT card on Amazon, go ahead and sign up here or just share the article.

But wait, there’s more.

Totally Unrelated: If I had put an exclamation point behind the last sentence, how would you feel? Remember that line in the TV commercial? The one where… Never mind.

OK. Here’s the other part. An EBT card automatically qualifies you for a discounted Amazon Prime membership.

In fact, there are several programs that qualify an individual or family for a discounted Amazon Prime membership:

Medicaid
SNAP
SSI: Supplemental Security Income
Direct Express Prepaid Debit Card
TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
TTANF: Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
NSLP: National School Lunch Program
LIHEAP: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
WIC: Women, Infants, and Children program
NAP: Puerto Rico’s Nutrition Assistance Program card (Tarjeta de la Familia)

The discounted Prime membership costs just $6.99 per month instead of the regular $14.99 price.

Amazon SNAP/EBT Frequently Asked Questions and Concerns (FAQs)

So, Amazon has a whole page dedicated to answering questions about the program. I won’t list everything, as you can read that here. Instead, I will go over the 5 most important ones.

1. You do not need an Amazon membership to shop for groceries using an EBT card on the website.
2. You can shop from Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh, or Amazon.com (all on the Amazon website).
3. Your EBT card will not cover delivery fees for Whole Foods or Amazon Fresh. A valid debit or credit card is needed to cover that cost.
4. *If your order is at least $35 for Amazon.com groceries, the delivery is free.*
5. The “SNAP EBT eligible” label is placed next to every product that qualifies for this program. No guesswork is required.

This is a win for families because it gives them access to membership benefits they may otherwise not be able to afford. Hell, I would be lost without my Prime Membership (proud subscriber since 2009) and I want everyone to experience the joy that is Amazon.

That was dramatic, but you get the point. This multi-billion-dollar company has made it easy for (nearly) everyone to access their services. I find great value in that, and I hope you do too.

Don’t forget to share this with anyone you know who could benefit from this information.

Each one teach one.