If you’re looking for a discounted low-income cable television plan similar to the Lifeline free government cell phone program, there isn’t one. But you may not need it, because Amazon just introduced a streaming TV plan that costs just $5.99 per month.
To repeat, just $5.99 per month.
It’s called Amazon Prime and it’s available to anyone to participates in the SNAP food stamp program.
The Los Angeles Times has the details:
Customers with a valid Electronic Benefits Transfer card — used for programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps — can now pay $5.99 a month for Prime membership, which offers free shipping, as well as streaming of certain movies, TV shows and other entertainment.
As we said earlier, you probably won’t need cable TV after you sign up for this Amazon Prime deal, because you’ll get all of this for just $5.99 per month:
- Unlimited streaming of movies and television episodes
- Unlimited digital photo storage
- Unlimited, ad-free access to more than a million songs
- Unlimited access to original audio series and playlists on Audible Channels, a $60/year value, for free
- Access to a huge library of streaming audiobooks
- Discounts on monthly and annual Amazon Music Unlimited plans
- Subscriptions to premium video content for a small extra fee
Are you ready to sign up yet? Not so fast. Because we’re not done listing all the benefits you get for just $5.99 per month.
The list of benefits goes on and on and on
Amazon Prime offers even more benefits that are only available from Amazon. Things like special shipping and delivery options, restaurant delivery, unlimited digital photo storage, low prices and inexpensive delivery of groceries, Kindle owners lending library, early access to new books (including one free book per month), 20% off diapers and other family goods, discounts on video games, and much, much more.
All this can be yours for just $5.99 per month IF you qualify. So, you’re probably wondering, how do I qualify?
Here’s how you can qualify
This really couldn’t be simpler. You qualify if you have a valid EBT card. That’s it. Nothing else is required.
There are just two things to keep in mind. (1) You are now allowed to pay for this great Amazon Prime membership to with your EBT card. And (2) You must re-qualify for your Amazon Prime discount once per year, and you can only qualify for four years in a row.
Don’t just sit there, enroll. As our grandpappy always said, “Get a move on. Time’s a-wastin’.”
You can find more information and enroll by visiting Amazon’s EBT Special page.
Then sit back, put your feet up, and relax with a little streaming TV tonight.
- Customers with a valid Electronic Benefits Transfer card — used for programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps — can now pay $5.99 a month for Prime membership, which offers free shipping, as well as streaming of certain movies, TV shows and other entertainment.
Prime’s typical monthly price is $10.99 per month or $99 per year.
Amazon said Tuesday that it wants more people to have access to Prime.
“We designed this membership option for customers receiving government assistance to make our everyday selection and savings more accessible,” Greg Greeley, vice president of Amazon Prime, said in a statement.
Customers would not use food stamps to pay for Prime, and in most places, people can’t even use food stamps to buy food from Amazon. In January, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a pilot program enabling food stamp participants in a few states to buy their groceries online through Amazon, along with six other companies.
Analysts say the lower Prime price is a way for the e-commerce giant to build its customer base.
The discounted price of $5.99 a month works out to about $72 a year, which isn’t that much different from the typical $99 annual Prime membership fee, said Michael Pachter, an analyst with Wedbush Securities. “This is clearly aimed at Wal-Mart customers,” he said. “Amazon’s trying to present itself as a reasonable alternative.”
And, Pachter noted, customers can opt into Prime for only one month at a time — say, a month when they plan to buy a lot. He said Prime membership could be pitched this way: “Hey, do it at Christmas for only $5.99. You can get all your shopping done and get free shipping.”
But easier access to Prime doesn’t necessarily bring Amazon’s grocery offerings within reach.
While the Prime discount gives consumers access to things such as Prime Video, Prime Music, and Prime Photos, those with government assistance must still pay an additional $14.99 a month for membership in Amazon’s grocery delivery and pickup service — AmazonFresh.
In addition to reaching a new market, analyst Kerry Rice with Needham & Co. said Amazon’s new discount may have to do with appearances: “In this day and age, you get a benefit both from public perception as well as an economic benefit.”
GAIL Nichols says
What if you make 1400 moth can still get amazons discount streaming my husband and i are low income.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s a quote from the article above that answers your question, Gail:
“This really couldn’t be simpler. You qualify if you have a valid EBT card. That’s it. Nothing else is required.”
Linda says
Also didn’t know about this!
Thanks again,
Linda
Carol says
Would love to see movies instead of 20 min of Cox commercials. Can I get this deal with low payments of social sec and Ssi.. We qualify with low income but no EBC. Please let me know. Thanks
Free Government Cell Phones says
You qualify if you have a valid EBT card, Carol.
Vergie Tiu says
I applied for a free lifetine phone at a street tent in California about a year ago. Now it has stopped working and I don’t know who to contact. What are my options and how can I find out who my provider is?
Free Government Cell Phones says
The USAC, the organization that governs the free government cell phone program, can help you with that, Vergie. Visit its website at USAC.org
Glenn O says
What is the problem with safelink? No matter what number you call you can not reach a live person. I have used up almost 60 minutes so far. I should not have to email safelink. I think I may go to consumer cellular. Much better customer service. And I don’t mind paying more money.
Johnnie S Mcclure says
I have one of these free phones.When I got it activated,I made a call.It worked fine that one time.The next month I tried to make a call and it had been deactivated.We have tried to call Safelink and every time they say this call may be recorded the phone cuts off.I can never talk to anybody.So what do I do to use it?Because I never can make that monthly call.
Free Government Cell Phones says
If you can’t get in touch by phone, try the company’s website, Johnnie. Go to “Help Center” and then click on “Contact Us.” You’ll be taken to an email form that will allow you to reach customer service.
Lynne Letizio says
What about Senior Citizens?
Free Government Cell Phones says
There is no plan specifically for senior citizens, Lynne.
Terry says
As a prime subscriber, I can answer the channels questions. You don’t get any channels with Prime. None at all. You get programs. For example, all the seasons of Star Trek, Voyager, Next Generation etc are all free with Prime. There are many other free TV show series. You get many free movies, documentaries. For example there are many movies that are free all the time and other recent 1st line movies rotate from free to having to pay for them and back. Amazon produces its own TV Shows as well. “The Man in the High Castle” is an example. You don’t get ESPN, CNN, FOX or any other news channels. Again, you don’t get any channels at all. You have to decide if this would work for you. With being able to pay for one month at a time, it would be worth the money to try it one month and see. If it would work for you, you could save lots of money. You also get free streaming music. Just for that the $5.99 is a good deal. You might be able to get Prime and get a very cheap cable package and save lots of money that way.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Great explanation, Terry. Thanks on behalf of our readers.
Darlene R. Smith says
How many channels can I get??????
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact Amazon Prime to get your question answered.
mevina says
You get 0 channels with Amazon Prime.
“You don’t get any channels with Prime. None at all. You get programs.”
See Terry’s excellent explanation above dated July 10, 2017 at 12:35 pm.
VONNA FORTNER says
JUST WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR BLOG WITH A THANK YOU. YOUR INFORMATION HAS PROVED INVALUABLE SINCE DISCOVERED IT ABOUT 2 YRS. AGO. ON THE INTERNET, I STILL GET LOW COST INTERNET PROVIDED BY ATT U-VERSE, CALLED THE ACCESS PROGRAM. IS THAT ALSO IN DANGER? ATT STARTED IT BY AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE LOW COST NET FOR FOOD STAMP RECIPIENTS WHEN ATT BOUGHT DIRECT TV. THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO.
Free Government Cell Phones says
U-Verse will probably suffer from the streaming competition in the years to come, but the Access program is probably safe. But who knows? Our tech guru would probably look at this and say, “The comments moderator doesn’t know what he’s talking about because streaming video is going to destroy cable TV.” But that’s just a guess on our part. We’ll never know because the tech guru is on vacation this week.
Nick says
What channels will I get? How many? Do I deposit the money somehow onto my ebt card? This sounds too good to be true. Cable bill is 100.00$ a month and its not worth it! Need more info
Free Government Cell Phones says
Check the Amazon Prime website using the info we included in the article, Nick.
CP says
I’m like Nick. I would like to know what channels do I get and how many. The Amazon Prime website you referenced doesn’t list channels and amount provided.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Same answer. Check with the Amazon.com website for more information.