8 Surprising Deals with Alabama EBT Cards

If you’ve got an Alabama EBT card, then you may be surprised to know that your card can do so much more than just buy groceries! We’ve found discounts on everything from Amazon Prime to zoo admission, exclusively for people on food stamps!

5 Things You Need to Know about Alabama EBT

At Low Income Relief, we write extensively about food stamps. Our goal is to help low income people save money and get free stuff. We have a lot of content that can help you if you have Alabama EBT!

• Apply for Alabama EBT online on the government website. This is the fastest and easiest way to apply for food benefits. Click here for more information on how and why you can apply for EBT in Alabama.
• Know what you can buy. Most people don’t know that they can buy seeds, plants, and some gift baskets with EBT. You can even buy pumpkins (the edible ones) and even a birthday cake as long as more than 50% is edible and not decretive.  We’ve got all the info, straight from the USDA!
• Shop smart. You may be able to get more food for your money at farmer’s markets with their Double Up Food Bucks program, where for every $1 you spend, the program will match $1 with it. Alabama also has You-Pick Strawberry Fields, where you can use EBT or WIC to pay for a bushel of Strawberries at participating locations!
• You may be eligible for more food stamps than you are getting. Many people are get less in food stamps than they should because they don’t get credit for all their deductions. You can get deductions for living and work expenses, child support, and medical expenses. Click here to learn more about how you can save!
• You may be able to get cash back from your food stamps card legally by using rewarded shopping apps, like Ibbota and Costco Shopper. One of our readers earned an additional $437.84 in cash just by shopping with her food stamps card!

For more information about food stamps, check out our Food Stamps series.

Double your purchase of produce with Alabama EBT 

If you have food stamps in Alabama, for $1 of fruits and vegetables you buy with your Alabama EBT card, you get $1 to make another purchase. Alabama’s Double Up Food Bucks program allows you to get a dollar for every dollar spent on fresh food, up to $20 per customer, per day. 

This program is only available at the following participating locations:

Bessemer

• 4th Ave Supermarket
  • 528 4th Ave N Bessemar, AL 35020.
• Bessemer Farmers Market
  • 100 14th Street South Bessemer, Alabama 35020.

Birmingham

• Birmingham Central Market
  • 1801 Morris Avenue, Birmingham AL 35203.
• East Lake Farmers Market
  • 7753 1st Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35206.
• The Market at Pepper Place
  • 2829 2nd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233.

Huntsville

• Greene Street Market
  • 208 Eustis Avenue, Huntsville AL 35801.

Opelika

• Wright’s Market 
  • 603 Pleasant Drive Opelika, AL 36801.

Prichard

• North Mobile Food Park
  • 204 S Wilson Ave, Prichard, AL 36610.

Tuscaloosa

• Tuscaloosa Farmers Market
  • 1900 Jack Warner Parkway Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401.

Tuscaloosa Pop-Up Markets

• McDonald Hughes Community Center
  • 3101 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401.
• Harmon Park
  • 2901 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401.
• Annette N. Shelby Park
  • 1614 15th Street, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401. 
• McCabee Activity Center
  • 3901 Lop Road, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35404.
• The Gateway Innovation Center
  • 2614 University Boulevard East, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35404.

Get Discounts & More with Food Stamps in Alabama

We’ve found loads of discounts that you can get with an Alabama EBT card! For admission discounts, be sure to check the list at the end of this article!

50% off Amazon Prime

Amazon offers discounted Amazon Prime memberships for customers who receive EBT or Medicaid benefits! You’ll need to verify that you receive food stamps or Medicaid to get this incredible price.

When you sign up, you get 30 days free with their free trial and can try out the free delivery and exclusive deals. Amazon Fresh even accepts SNAP and EBT as payment for eligible groceries with free shipping!

Free Cell Phones & Service

Free cell phones and services may be available for those who receive Alabama food stamps! Alabama supports the Lifeline program, which allows low income families to get a monthly credit on their wireless and home phone services, as well as mobile services. 

Cell phone and wireless service providers who support the Lifeline program have special plans and discounts for people who qualify. Here are a few companies and what they offer:

 CSpire

CSpire offers 12GB of high-speed data for $55 a month with an added bonus for people who qualify for Lifeline Assistance. This plan is only available to Lifeline recipients, so if you no longer qualify for the program, your plan will change.

If you want to apply, you must verify your eligibility through the National Verifier. Once you are approved, you can contact your customer care team at 1-877-835-3725  or fill out the form on the website to sign up for the program. Make sure to use your CSpire phone number in your National Verifier application. 

Pine Belt Communication

Pine Belt Communications supports Lifeline by giving low income households that qualify a creation mandated by Federal Communications Commission, FCC. This is a one-per-household offer. 

You can take advantage of these programs if you are on a low income assistance program, or can prove through your income that you qualify. You can subscribe to any residential plan, be it a landline, phone, mobile phone, or broadband internet. 

Southern Linc

Southern Linc offers Lifeline wireless voice and data plans for customers who qualify. If you receive government assistance in Alabama, you should be able to qualify for this program. They offer customers 2000 anything calling minutes with unlimited text messaging, and 5GBs of monthly data. 

The discount set by the FCC allows Southern Linc to credit your account every month. ( the credit is $9.25 now, but this is subject to change at any time. Check with your local service location to see what the latest credit price is. 

T-Wire

If you qualify for Lifeline, T-Wire will give you a FREE PHONE. Enroll in their program, receive your phone, and start talking without having to sign a contract or have a monthly minimum. You can change cancel or upgrade your plan at any time as well. 

Getting the “Access” plan can give you a free phone and a plan with free minutes and texting. You can check your income qualification on the site if you would like to see if you are eligible for the program and are not getting other government assistance. 

If you would like to learn more about what each state can offer in terms of free phones and services, we’ve got a full list of providers and options!

Free Computers

Computers and laptops may be available free or cheap to Alabama food stamps recipients through programs that believe everyone should be connected. These programs donate gently used and refurbished machines to low income individuals and families who need them. Here are a few of the groups you can contact if you need help getting a computer:

PCs for People

The PCs for People program provides computers for people who can show proof of income under 200% of the federal poverty level (based on the size of your household) or under 60% of the median income (also relative to household size).

If you are on a government assistance program, like LIHEAP, Medicaid, or a food support program, like EBT, SNAP, or WIC (can show an acceptance letter addressed to you as proof), you can also take part in this program. 

Computers with Causes

Computers with Causes helps to provide computers to all kinds of need-based recipients. From students to the elderly, from foster homes to struggling military families, Computers with Causes is there to help and supply you with a computer to keep you connected. 

After you apply to the program, the program does a pretty strict needs assessment, background, and reference check to ward off false requests so that they can help only those who truly need it. Let them know if you are receiving government assistance (like Food Stamps, TANI, SSI, or Welfare) so they can factor that into your need assessment. 

Click here to apply for the program. To learn more about other programs and how you may be able to get a computer or laptop if you need one, click here.

$5 Internet

We’ve found Internet for just $5 per month or even FREE for those who qualify! AT&T customers can apply for AT&T Access to get $30 off their bill, or $75 off their services on qualifying Tribal lands, which can end up costing $0.00 per month (depending on the plan you have)! 

If you are a part of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), you will also be eligible for the Access program, and receive more discounts. SNAP and SSI recipients, as well as households below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, may be eligible for the program.  

 We’ve found about a dozen providers that offer internet services for less than $20 per month.

See what’s available in your area.

Free Wills

Wills may be available for free to low income residents in certain cities, such as Mobile. This is a free service for homeowners in the cities where it is offered. The City of Mobile is introducing a will program that allows and requires all housing assistance applicants to have a will in place before gaining assistance. 

Because homes are left without a clear owner, they become an heir property, which can be chaotic and confusing. A will can make the process of transferring property a lot easier, so the goal of the program is to have as many residents with wills as possible.

To get more information and stay updated on the latest news, you can subscribe to Lagniappe. 

Other Discounts

At Low Income Relief, our goal is to help everyone with Alabama EBT save money and get free stuff. If you’ve got food stamps in Alabama, you may also be eligible for these programs:

• Legal aid programs can help you out of a tight spot. Click here to learn even more.Legal aid
• Prescription discounts to save you money on much-needed medications. 
• Student loan assistance via Income-driven payment plans can cost you as low as ($0 per month payments! Click here to learn about other things you can do you lower your student loan repayment costs.
• Summer Food Service programs and programs like Break for a Plate can help you feed your kids throughout the summer. These are free programs for children 18 and under. Click here to find out even more ways you can make sure your littles and teens don’t go hungry.

• Tax filing assistance and preparation by companies like United Way of Central Alabama is available for those who qualify. Click here to learn more ways that you can get free or cheap help with filing your taxes.
• Utility assistance programs for electric and gas bills are available to those who need help. Click here to learn even more way to get help with paying and lowering your monthly energy costs.
• Veterinary care programs are available to those who need care for their furry family members. Click here for all the programs accessible to your pets.

Get admission discounts with Alabama EBT cards!

Your Alabama food stamps card can help you get discounted admission to fun venues around the state! Some museums only offer discounts to Alabama EBT cardholders, but the museums in green offer discounts to anyone with an EBT card from any state.

We try to update this list as often as possible, so be sure to check back often to see what discounts you can get just for having food stamps in Alabama!

Birmingham

McWane Science Center– $3 per person or less

A visit to the epic McWane Science Center will usually cost a family of four around $54. However, if you have an EBT card, your family of four can visit for $12 or less!

Vulcan Park & Museum– FREE

Vulcan Park and Museum welcomes people with food stamps in Alabama for FREE! There’s a limit of four free admissions per card.

Gadsden

Imagination Place Children’s Museum – $2 per person

The Imagination Place Children’s Museum has a child-size grocery store, medical clinic, construction pit and house. They also have a train station, a farm and a pirate ship! It’s ideal for kids between the ages of 2 and 10.

As a Museums for All partner, Imagination Place charges $2 per person for families with EBT cards.

Huntsville

Burritt on the Mountain – $3 or less per person

Enjoy a great EBT discount at Burritt on the Mountain! Although admission is usually $12 for adults and $8 for children, Burritt on the Mountain has joined Museums for All and now offers admission for just $3 or less per person with EBT, for up to four people per EBT card.

EarlyWorks Family of Museums – $3 or less per person

The South’s largest hands-on history museum complex has now joined Museums for All! Explore Early Works today with a great discount if you have an EBT card.

Huntsville Botanical Garden – $3 per person

The Huntsville Botanical Garden is a 112-acre botanical garden includes the nation’s largest open-air butterfly house. It also includes an aquatic garden, wooded nature trails, specialty gardens and more. You can also get a free pass from your local library. 

US Space & Rocket Center – $3 per person

Show your EBT card and an ID at the desk to receive admission of just $3 per person for up to four people. This covers general admission only, so you will have to pay extra for a planetarium show or a show in the digital theater.

Mobile

Gulf Coast Exploreum – $2 per person

The Gulf Coast Exploreum in Mobile offers a discount for individuals and families who have EBT benefits! If you visit, then you’ll get admission for just $2 per person for everyone in your party! Thanks for the tip, Jamie!

History Museum of Mobile – $3 per person

The History Museum of Mobile features over 117,000 items that explore the rich history of Mobile, Alabama. The collection includes an actual Civil War cannon as well as a signed baseball from Henry “Hank” Aaron. As a Museums for All member, the History Museum of Mobile welcomes Alabama EBT cardholders for just $3 or less per person.

Mobile Botanical Gardens – $3 per person

The Mobile Botanical Gardens welcome anyone with WIC or food stamps in Alabama to visit for just $3 per person. There’s a limit of four people per EBT card, however. You will also need a valid ID.

Tuscaloosa

Alabama Museum of Natural History – $2 per adult

The Alabama Museum of Natural History is located within Smith Hall on the University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa. At this time, their usual admission rate is just $2 per adult but the rate may be lower for households with EBT.

Get more free stuff in Alabama! 

Nicole Thelin

Nicole is the owner and lead researcher for Low Income Relief. She has over 20 years of professional research and writing experience, and she has been solely dedicated to investigating low income topics for the last 10 years. Nicole started Low Income Relief after a personal experience with poverty. When her husband was medically discharged from the US Army, their family experienced tremendous financial hardship. Nicole was able to gather help from multiple community agencies and move into a nearby low income housing unit in just two weeks! Since then, Nicole has been dedicated to helping low income families in crisis. She regularly spends hundreds of hours combing through countless resources to make sure that Low Income Relief has the most comprehensive and complete resource directories on the internet today. Prior to starting Low Income Relief, Nicole worked as a novelist, journalist, ghostwriter and content creator. Her work has been featured in various print and online publications, including USA Today, The Daily Herald, The Chronicle and more. Her work has also been featured by Google for Publishers and other leading industry publications.