High-priced cable TV is out. Amazon’s low-priced streaming TV is in.

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.”