Jonah JacobsThe days of using actual small stamps to pay for food are long gone. What’s replaced them? EBT (electronic benefits transfer) cards, which look and work like debit cards. And while using your EBT card to buy groceries with your food stamp benefits is great, using it for other perks is even better.
With that being said, let’s look at reasons why you should apply for food stamps today, if you haven’t done so already:
1. Food stamps can give you monthly funds to buy groceries.
If you’re short on cash, having food stamps as a monthly backup can ensure you never have to worry about putting food on your family’s table.
2. Food stamp benefits just increased.
Effective October 1, 2021, food stamp (SNAP) benefits increased by 27 percent. The historic move was made after Congress urged the USDA to give food stamps more purchasing power, which helps families in need buy healthier foods that they may not be able to afford.
3. Applying is as easy as contacting your local office.
A significant reason why many people don’t receive food stamps is that they don’t know how to apply. Visit this link to find your local SNAP office and contact them to start your application process.
4. EBT cards can lead to tons of discounts.
The fact that an EBT card can be used to buy groceries at the store is reason enough to apply for food stamps. But when you consider all of the discounts it can lead to, that’s even more reason to start your SNAP application ASAP.
For starters, every state has its own EBT discounts that can help you save cash everywhere you go. In Florida, for example, you can get 50 percent off entry to state parks, discounted YMCA gym memberships, pet care assistance, utility assistance, tax filing assistance, legal aid, and even homebuyer assistance. To find such perks where you live, search Google for “EBT discounts ___” and fill in the blank with your state.
While you’ll probably be shocked at all of the EBT discounts your state has to offer just for receiving food stamps, you can also enjoy cheap Internet. Companies like AT&T and Comcast offer high-speed Internet service under $10 per month for EBT cardholders. Even better, Comcast lets EBT cardholders purchase computers for only $149, which is a lot cheaper than if you bought one in a store.
That takes care of your Internet, but what about your phone? Having an EBT card could qualify you for the Lifeline program, which offers home or cell phone service at a discounted rate.
You can’t forget about entertainment, either, as that can take a considerable chunk out of your monthly budget. With an EBT card, you can access over 700 museums across the country on the cheap, and the same holds true for many zoos.
Last but not least, there’s the Amazon Prime EBT card discount. It gives you access to two-day shipping and Prime Video and Music for just $5.99 per month versus $12.99.
Mark Luigi Dacumos
