One Saturday morning, the kitchen was in chaos – the kids bickering, a forgotten bill on the counter, and a fridge that looked alarmingly bare. Mom sighed. It seemed like every penny earned was already spoken for before it even hit their bank account.
Then, a neighbor stopped by, excited about a new museum exhibit she’d gotten into for almost nothing, thanks to her SNAP benefits. Later, a family at soccer practice mentioned how they slashed their internet bill in half through the Lifeline program. Mom’s ears perked up – there were savings out there, and their family was missing out.
Determined, she buckled down. The museum’s discount meant a fun family afternoon that didn’t break the bank. The Lifeline program saved enough to cover that pesky car registration fee. Even those receipts she used to toss? Turns out a cashback app turned them into a few extra dollars every week.
It wasn’t about getting rich. It was about making that paycheck stretch further. Each saved dollar was a little less stress, a little more room for life beyond just the bills. It felt good, empowering, to know those hidden discounts weren’t for other families – they were there for them too.
Ditch the Budget Struggle! Essential Discounts for SNAP Households
SNAP members can access several discounts in addition to the half-off Amazon Prime offer we told you about last week. Here are some other ways to save:
Utilities:
- Lifeline Program: Offers discounts on phone or internet service for low-income households. Check eligibility at lifelinesupport.org/.
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Helps pay heating and cooling bills. Find your local agency through the National Energy Assistance (NEAR) project: neada.org.
Entertainment and Education:
- Museums for All: Many museums across the U.S. offer reduced admission fees, or even free entry, to SNAP recipients. Search participating museums at museums4all.org.
- Discounted Internet: Programs like the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB), now called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), provide monthly discounts on internet service. Visit fcc.gov/acp for details.
- Computers for Low-Income Households: Organizations like PCs for People (pcsforpeople.org) offer refurbished computers at affordable rates for qualifying individuals.
Other Discounts:
- Cell Phone Plans: Some carriers offer discounted plans for SNAP participants.
- YMCA Memberships: Local YMCAs may offer sliding scale memberships based on income.
- Farmers’ Markets: Many markets participate in “Double Up Food Bucks” programs, where SNAP benefits are doubled for purchasing fresh produce. This was a big one for our family because we love picking up fresh tomatoes and okra grown locally.
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