Got MN EBT? Get FREE zoo admission and more!

If you’re receiving Minnesota food stamps benefits, you could qualify for other helpful programs as well (including cheap Internet service)! Check out our list of MN EBT benefits below.

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Got EBT in another state?
Please click here!

Got MN EBT? You might qualify for these, too!

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

Internet for $5-$10/month? We’ve found discounts from Comcast, CenturyLink and other providers around the US. Click here to see all the discounted Internet programs you could qualify for.

Plant a garden! The federal food stamps law says you can buy seeds and produce-bearing plants with your MN EBT card!

Power companies may be able to help with your high electric bills. We’ve found special low-income rates, free home improvements and more! Discover what your company offers here.

Property tax exemptions may be available for low income veterans and seniors. You’ll need to contact your county assessor’s office for more info.

Student loan payments can crush a low income budget. Income-based repayment plans could drop your payment to ZERO dollars per month! Get the details here.

Summer food services help kids eat healthy when free or low cost school meals aren’t available.

Veterinary care grants may be able to help with your pet’s vet bills.

YMCA offers reduced prices for low income individuals and families. Contact your local branch for details!

Did you know your MN EBT card could be used here?!

Your food stamps card can do a lot more than just pick up groceries at your local supermarket!

Buy gift baskets and more! No joke – this is all part of the actual federal food stamps law. Here’s a list of unexpected things you can actually buy with your food stamps funds. 

Shop at these retailers! Did you know that Costco, farmer’s markets and even you-pick strawberry fields can accept MN EBT benefits? Some retailers (including farmer’s markets) even give you discounts or free stuff if you shop there with your food stamps card!

Wait — you can’t afford to miss this!

You could qualify for more food stamps funds! Do you run out of food stamps funds before the end of the month? Most people do. We’ve done a lot of research and found some easy, legal ways that you can increase the amount of food stamps money you get each month. Don’t make the same mistakes I did! Read this post to learn how to get more food stamps money each month.

You can even get cash back from your food stamps card! It’s true and it’s legal – no cash benefits required. One of our readers earned an additional $437.84 just by shopping with her food stamps card. She uses that extra money to buy diapers, wipes and other essentials. Here’s how.

Get in free or cheap with your MN EBT card!

For your convenience, we’ve organized our free and discounted museum admission list alphabetically by city. We’ve also used green titles so you can easily identify which museums accept out-of-state EBT cards!

It is important to realize that you cannot pay for admission with your MN EBT card. You will show the EBT card to receive the discount but you will need to pay the remaining admission price, if any, in cash or with a credit/debit card.

Around the State

Minnesota Historical Society (26 sites) – $4 for adults, FREE for children under 18

This discount is so sweet that I had to call the Minnesota Historical Society to confirm that I was understanding it correctly… but it’s true! If you qualify (see the terms below), you can visit any or all of the 16 historical sites operated by MHS for just $4 per adult (minors under 18 and under are free).

Their locations include:

• Alexander Ramsey House
• Birch Coulee Battlefield
• Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site
• Cornstock House
• Folsom House
• Forest History Center
• Fort Ridgely
• Harkin Store
• Historic Forestville
• Historic Fort Snelling
• James J Hill House
• Jeffers Petroglyphs
• Lac qui Parle Mission
• Lower Sioux Agency
• Marine Mill
• Mill City Museum
• Mille Lacs Indian Museum & Trading Post
• Minnehaha Depot
• Minnesota History Center & Gale Family Library
• Minnesota State Capital
• North West Company Fur Post
• Oliver Kelley Farm
• Sibley Historic Site
• Split Rock Lighthouse
• Traverse des Sioux
• WW Mayo House

To receive the discounted admission to the Minnesota Historical Society, you will need to provide valid Minnesota photo ID and proof of your participation in one of the following programs. You will also need to print and complete this form.

• MN EBT benefits
• Medical assistance (including MinnesotaCare)
• Section 8
• WIC
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Social Security Disability Benefits
• Free/Reduced School Lunches
• RCA (Refugee Cash Assistance)General Assistance
• General Assistance

Apple Valley

Minnesota Zoo – FREE

If you have a Minnesota EBT card, you can receive FREE admission through the Zoo Access Program (ZAP). Just show your EBT card and Minnesota photo ID at the admissions desk! The qualifying adult and their immediate family can enter the museum for free.

Please note that the ZAP program does not cover parking fees, special exhibits or other additional-fee programs.

(If you don’t have an EBT card, you can also use a WIC folder, MHCP Card or HeadStart acceptance letter to participate in this program!)

Bemidji

Headwaters Science Center – $3 or less per person*

This hidden gem in Northern Minnesota provides hands-on science and technology exhibits and programming for Minnesota residents of all ages. Check out their Pint-Sized Science program, Science Club and browse their exhibits!

*As a Museums for All partner, this location charges $3 or less per person. I’m still awaiting a reply with exact admission details.

Bloomington

Works Museum – $25 per family per YEAR

The Works Museum offers a Gateway Program that provides discounts to low income families. To be eligible, you need to receive MN EBT or benefits from another qualifying program. Once you prove that you qualify, you can choose to pay $4.25 per person for daily admission or purchase a $25 family membership that will give your family free admission for an entire year!

Duluth

Duluth Children’s Museum – $3 admission

Learn through play at the Duluth Children’s Museum! That’s why they feature so many fun interactive STEM exhibits! Caregivers are encouraged to play with their children. The museum says, “Museum time is family time.”

Duluth Children’s Museum is Minnesota’s first and only Museums for All partner. As a result, you can use an EBT card from ANY state to receive discounted admission of just $3 for up to 4 people!

Hopkins

Stages Theatre Company – Free or Low-Cost

Low income families can receive free or low-cost tickets, bus subsidies and tuition assistance through the Stages Theatre Company’s Open Door Program. You can also visit up to three pay-what-you-can performances each year!

Minneapolis

Children’s Theatre Company – $5 tickets

Each season, the Children’s Theater Company provides financial assistance to over 1,000 low income families who would not otherwise be able to attend their performances, classes and camps. Their program, known as the ACT Pass, provides up to six tickets per household at $5 each. Once your application for the ACT Pass program is approved, it lasts for two years. Visit the Children’s Theatre Company website for more information and an online application.

Guthrie Theater – $5 tickets

The Guthrie Theater offers Gateway Tickets for low income patrons. These tickets cost just $5 each and are available to adults (age 18+) who are enrolled in MN EBT, TANF, WIC, Section 8, SSDI, SSI or other government benefits programs. Up to four tickets may be purchased for select performances.

Transit Assistance Program – $1 Transit

The Transit Assistance Program helps low-income residents of Minneapolis and the surrounding area. Through this program, you will pay just $1 for transit fare for the rest of the year! You can qualify by bringing your MN EBT card or one of these other documents to the SouthWest Transit Station or MetroTransit Service Center.

St. Paul

Minnesota Children’s Museum – Free & Reduced Price MEMBERSHIPS!

MCM provides free and reduced-price memberships to families who live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Families must provide proof of assistance (such as EBT) for the last three months OR a photocopy of their most recent federal or state tax returns in order to qualify. You can find the application form on their website by clicking here.

Science Museum of Minnesota – $3 per person

Low income guests can receive discounted admission to the Science Museum of Minnesota. There are four tiers of admission prices, depending on what you want to see.

• $3 for museum admission only
• $5 for Omnitheater access and museum admission
• $7 for Mummies and museum admisison
• $9 for Mummies, Omnitheater and museum admission

This program isn’t limited to people who are receiving MN EBT. In fact, the Science Museum is very generous. You can receive these lower rates if you can prove that you receive:

• EBT benefits
• Medical assistance (including MinnesotaCare)
• Section 8
• WIC
• Supplmeental Security Income (SSI
• Social Security Disability Benefits
• Free/Reduced School Lunches
• RCA (Refugee Cash Assistance)
• General Assistance

Please bring your EBT card or verification paperwork and valid Minnesota photo ID to receive these discounted admission rates.

Minnesota History Center – $4 per adult, FREE for children under 18

To receive the discounted admission to the Minnesota Historical Society, you will need to provide valid Minnesota photo ID and proof of your participation in one of the following programs. You will also need to print and complete the form on this page.

• EBT benefits
• Medical assistance (including MinnesotaCare)
• Section 8
• WIC
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Social Security Disability Benefits
• Free/Reduced School Lunches
• RCA (Refugee Cash Assistance)
• General Assistance

Get more free stuff in Minnesota!