Discounts For Low-Income Families and EBT Card Holders in Virginia

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Times are tough. Some might say it’s getting more and more difficult to stretch a dollar. However, those who receive SNAP or EBT benefits may also qualify for additional perks that lessen the burden on already-stressed pocketbooks.  

INTERNET

Comcast offers $9.95 internet service to those eligible for the National School Lunch Program, housing assistance, Medicaid and SNAP through its Internet Essentials program. This offer includes all equipment. Credit check not required.

PHONE

Those who have an EBT card or are at or below 135% of the poverty level qualify for the Lifeline Assistance program. This is a government program that provides a discount on either a wireless or landline phone. The discount is $9.25 per month.

FITNESS

YMCA: Discounts are widely available for low-income adults and families through YMCA organizations. Your membership may come with a sliding-scale fee that is significantly lower as a result of these savings.

You can save money on child care, fitness centers, swimming pools, and other recreational services by using a YMCA coupon. Visit or call your local YMCA to ask about discounts for those receiving government assistance.

TRANSPORTATION

Bike share and scooter share services, such as Capital Bikeshare in Northern Virginia, offer free or reduced memberships, unlimited access and waived parking fees.

Fairfax Connector provides EBT cardholders with a 50% discount on fares via their TRIP program. Hampton Roads Transit offers a 50% discounted Fair ID to eligible low-income members.

MUSEUM ADMISSION

Through Museums for All, those receiving food assistance can gain free or reduced admission to more than 1,200 museums throughout the United States simply by presenting their EBT card and a photo ID. For example, EBT recipients can visit the Explore More Discovery Museum in Harrisonburg for just $2.00.

50% DISCOUNT ON HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES

Many rural grocery stores and farmer’s markets in Virginia now offer “Fresh Match.” This gives EBT cardholders the ability to purchase fresh produce, plants, and frozen vegetables at a 50% discount.

BACKYARD FOOD GARDENS

Participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can purchase edible plants and seeds using their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards.

This means that instead of just buying a few tomatoes, cucumbers or other produce, you can instead purchase seeds, large vegetable plants and even fruit trees that will yield crops.

Farming vegetables is not something just limited to the summer months. Plants and seeds typically grown in the colder months (such as spinach, carrots, radishes, cauliflower, garlic and cabbage) are also EBT-eligible. . Vegetable seeds and food producing plants, roots, and trees for family consumption are all eligible for purchase with EBT benefits. Also included are edible items used in preserving food such as spices and herbs and pectin.

HEATING

Applications for heating help via Virginia's Energy Assistance program will be accepted beginning the second Tuesday in October (through the second Friday in November).  Applicants should expect notification of their eligibility in late December. Funds will cover either fuel costs or electric bills (for those who have an electric heat source). With this program, lump-sum payments are made directly to the applicant’s utility company and reflect on each month’s bill until funds are exhausted.