How to get Amazon Prime discount with EBT card for CalFresh recipients?
Hi everyone! I just heard that Amazon offers a discount on Prime for EBT cardholders. I've been on CalFresh for about 8 months now but never knew this was a thing! Can someone walk me through how to sign up for this discount using my EBT card? Do I need to provide any verification to Amazon? And does using this discount affect my benefits in any way? Really appreciate any help because my budget is super tight these days and having cheaper shipping would be amazing.
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NebulaNomad
Yes! Amazon Prime offers a discount for EBT cardholders - it's about 50% off the regular membership price. I've been using it for almost a year now. Here's the process: 1. Go to amazon.com/prime/qualify 2. Sign in to your Amazon account (or create one) 3. Click on the option for government assistance 4. Select EBT as your benefit type 5. You'll need to upload a photo of your EBT card (cover the card number except last 4 digits) 6. Submit and wait for verification (usually pretty quick) The discount renews every 12 months, and you'll need to reverify your eligibility each year. And no, it doesn't affect your CalFresh benefits at all - it's just Amazon offering a discount. The service includes all the regular Prime benefits: free shipping, Prime Video, etc.
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Zara Shah
•Thank you so much! This is exactly what I needed to know. Do they accept California EBT cards specifically? Also, is there a waiting period after I submit my card image?
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Luca Ferrari
Amazon prime is GREAT with ebt!!! been using it 4 2 years now. they dont take money from ur ebt card its just for proof u qualify. shippin is fast and the tv shows r good 2. u can pay month by month if u want dont need 2 pay for whole year upfront
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Zara Shah
•Oh that's good to know about the monthly payment option! I was worried I'd have to pay for a whole year upfront which I definitely can't afford right now even with the discount.
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Nia Wilson
I tried to use this discount and Amazon REJECTED my application twice saying they couldn't verify my EBT card!!! Their system is broken and their customer service is useless. I sent clear photos both times and even uploaded a copy of my benefit letter from the county. Total waste of time and now they probably have all my personal info. BE CAREFUL!!!!
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NebulaNomad
•Sorry that happened to you! For verification issues, I'd recommend making sure the card is well-lit, all four corners are visible, and only the last 4 digits of the card number are showing (cover the rest). Also, make sure your name on the Amazon account matches your EBT card. They're pretty strict about the verification to prevent fraud, but most people get approved without problems.
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Mateo Martinez
Don't forget that Walmart+ also offers a similar discount for EBT cardholders! Might be worth comparing the two services. I personally use the Amazon one because I like their selection better, but just thought I'd mention there are options.
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Aisha Hussain
•Actually Walmart+ doesn't have an EBT discount program specifically like Amazon does. They accept EBT for grocery purchases but not for the membership fee. Amazon Prime is unique in offering the 50% discount on the membership itself for EBT cardholders.
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Ethan Clark
To answer your question about California EBT cards - yes, they absolutely accept them! I'm in Sacramento County and using my CalFresh EBT card for the Amazon Prime discount. The verification was approved within 24 hours for me. One thing to note - after your verification is approved, you'll still need to enter a payment method (credit/debit card) for the discounted membership fee. The discount brings it down to about $7/month or $75/year currently. The EBT card is just for verification, not for payment. Also, when you're shopping, look for the "SNAP EBT eligible" items if you want to use your actual benefits to purchase food items on Amazon. This is separate from the Prime discount but another nice feature.
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Zara Shah
•This is super helpful! I didn't realize I could actually use my EBT benefits to buy eligible food items ON Amazon too. That could be really convenient when I'm not feeling well enough to go to the store. Thanks for all this detailed info!
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StarStrider
Has anyone had issues with their county workers questioning why they have Amazon Prime when they're receiving benefits? I'm hesitant to sign up because I don't want them to think I have extra money or something during my next recertification interview. I've heard horror stories about workers looking for any reason to reduce benefits.
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Ethan Clark
•That's actually a common concern but you don't need to worry. The discount program exists specifically for low-income individuals, and county workers are aware of it. Having Prime doesn't count as an asset or indicate higher income - especially since you're getting it at the reduced rate specifically because you qualify for benefits. During recertification, they're looking at your income, resources, and household composition - not whether you have subscription services. I've been through two recertifications while having Prime and it was never even mentioned by my worker.
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Yuki Sato
i got my calfresh last month but im still waitign on my physical ebt card. can i sign up with just my calfresh approval letter or do i need the actual card for the photo?
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NebulaNomad
•You'll need the physical EBT card for verification. Amazon specifically requires a photo of the card (with most numbers covered for security). The approval letter alone won't work for their system. If you're still waiting for your card, you might want to check on its status - it usually shouldn't take more than 7-10 days to arrive after approval.
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Aisha Hussain
•If you've been waiting 3 weeks for your EBT card, that's definitely too long. When I was in a similar situation trying to reach someone about my delayed card, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get through to a real person at the county office without waiting on hold forever. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 Once I got through to someone, they were able to tell me my card had been sent to an old address and they expedited a new one to me. Might be worth trying if you keep hitting dead ends with the automated system.
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Zara Shah
Update: I just signed up using the link someone shared above and got approved within a few hours! The process was super easy. Thanks to everyone who helped explain how it works. I'm excited to start using the Prime benefits, especially the free shipping and Prime Video. This will definitely help stretch my budget a bit further!
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Luca Ferrari
•congrats!! enjoy ur prime! the grocery delivery is good 2 when ur benefits reload u can order food right to ur door
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Carmen Ortiz
That's awesome that you got approved so quickly! Just a heads up - if you're planning to use your EBT benefits for grocery delivery through Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods, make sure to check if delivery is available in your area first. Some parts of California don't have coverage yet. Also, there's usually a minimum order amount (around $35) for free delivery even with Prime, but it's still super convenient for bulk shopping or when you can't get to the store. The Fresh pickup option is also great if delivery isn't available - you can order online and just drive up to collect your groceries.
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Bethany Groves
•Thanks for the heads up about delivery areas! I'm in the Bay Area so hopefully coverage is good here. The $35 minimum makes sense - I usually do bigger grocery runs anyway to save on trips. The pickup option sounds really convenient too, especially on days when I'm not feeling up to going inside the store and dealing with crowds. Do you know if they have good selection for fresh produce and meat? Sometimes I worry about quality when ordering groceries online.
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