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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6 Things You Need to Know
I’ve been researching and updating this article for more than four years now. During those years, I’ve identified several things that people don’t know or don’t understand about their benefits.
You can apply online. It’s easy and much more convenient than going into the office. Apply online now!
You may be eligible for more. Most people don’t get enough food stamps to actually eat… and many people are eligible for more than they get. The algorithm is confusing, but here’s what we know about getting more food stamps.
You can shop at a lot of places! Costco, farmer’s markets, CSAs and more accept food stamps. Some places even offer special discounts or deals for low income shoppers. Here’s what we know.
You can buy fruit trees and plants. It’s true! You can buy produce-bearing plants, seeds and fruit trees with EBT. In fact, there are several interesting things you can buy. Here’s the full list.
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You can get cash back (it’s legal)! Don’t sell your food stamps card!!! If you shop smart, you can spend all your grocery money and put cash back in your wallet. Here’s how it’s done.
You can use your MN EBT card in other states! Not only can you shop in other states, you may be able to get EBT discounts there as well! All of our state lists use green titles to depict museums that provide discounts with out-of-state EBT cards.
Statewide EBT Discounts
Regardless of where you live in Minnesota, you should be able to take advantage of these incredible discounts.
50% off Amazon Prime
Amazon
$5 Internet
You may be eligible for much cheaper Internet service. We’ve helped thousands of people save money on their Internet bills! Providers like Comcast and AT&T offer significant discounts on their internet service. We’ve found almost a dozen Internet services that are $20 or less per month, and one that starts at just $5/month!
FREE Cell Phones & Service
There are many providers that offer free smartphones and free monthly cell phone coverage to low income customers across the United States. Choose the best provider from our list!
FREE Computers
There are many agencies that offer free or low cost computers to low income households. If you need one, here’s what you need to know.
YMCA Discounts
YMCA locations and other community centers often offer low income discounts. Contact your local center today and ask about their low income scholarships and memberships!
Other Discounts
If you qualify for EBT, you may also qualify for these incredible programs!
- Homebuyer assistance programs
- Legal aid
- Property tax exemptions
- Student loan assistance ($0 per month payments!)
- Summer meals (free for kids ages 18 and under!)
- Tax filing assistance
- Utility assistance(help paying electric bills, free weatherization assistance and more!)
- Pet care assistance (veterinary care grants, free pet food, free boarding and more!)
Get free admission with EBT Cards in MN!
Many museums and venues offer discounts for low income families. If you have an MN EBT card, you could get free or discounted admission to some really incredible places!
Some venues accept out-of-state EBT cards. We’ve used green titles so you can easily identify which museums accept out-of-state EBT cards!
You cannot pay for admission with EBT. It is important to realize that you cannot pay for admission with your 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
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 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 called Free to Explore! This discount is valid for the eligible individual and all of their dependents.
In order to claim your free tickets, you must fill out a reservation form at least one week in advance of your visit. You must also purchase a parking pass.
When you arrive, you will need to provide proof of eligibility and proof of address. Proof can include an MN EBT card, MN MHCP card, WIC card or MN HeadStart Acceptance Letter.
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 website 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!
Great Lakes Aquarium – Discounts
The Great Lakes Aquarium offers discounted admission rates for low income households! Present your current MN EBT card or Medical Assistance card, along with a valid ID. All children and adults in your party will be admitted under teh same discounted rate.
The rate is $6 for adults and $4 for children. Children 2 and under are always free. You can also get 50% off their membership rates!
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
American Swedish Institute – FREE
The American Swedish Institute is a place for all people to share experiences around the culture, migration, environment and arts of Sweden.
They offer free admission for people who are involved in:
- TANF
- MFIP (MN Family Investment Program)
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, aka Food Stamps)
- MFAP (MN Food Assistance Program)
- WIC (Women, Infants and Children)
- MN Headstart
- General Assistance
- Medical Assistance
- MinnesotaCare
- Supplemental Security Income
- Social Security Disability Income
- RCA (Refugee Cash Assistance)
- Section 8
- Free/Reduced Price Student Meals
Bakken Museum – $1 admission
The Bakken Museum offers their limited income discount to more than just food stamps users! You can qualify if you receive TANF, MFIP, WIC, General Assistance, Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, SSI, Social Security Disability Benefits, SNAP, Section 8, or Free/Reduced Price School Meals.
You will need to provide proof of participation in one of those programs in order to receive the discount.
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.
Walker Art Center – $2 each
The Walker Art Center focuses on sharing the creative expression of artists. They include visual, performing and media arts. Through the Museums for All program, the Walker Art Center is offering discounted admission for just $2 per person with a MN EBT card.
Plymouth
Three Rivers Park District – FREE
The Three Rivers Park District offers Recreation Pass Plus cards to low income households in Hennepin or Scott counties. This pass provides free equipment rentals, discounts on programs and free recreation passes! Apply for the pass online.
You qualify for this card if you live in either Hennepin County or Scott county AND you are enrolled in one of the following programs;
- DWP (Diversionary Work Program)
- EBT (Food Stamps)
- EMA (Emergency Medical Assistance)
- Free and Reduced School Lunch Program
- GA (General Assistance)
- HCEAP (Hennepin County Emergency Assistance Program)
- MA (Medical Assistance or Minnesota Care)
- MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Act)
- MSA (Minnesota Supplemental Aid)
- RCA (Refuge Cash Assistance)
- SSI
- WIC (Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children)
Rochester
SPARK Children’s Museum of Rochester – $5 per person
Families who meet the Museums for All requirements can attend SPARK for $5 per person.
St. Paul
Bell Museum – FREE & Discounts
The Bell Museum at University of Minnesota offers several discounts for low income households. They offer free Explore passes for qualifying guests, as well as discounted planetarium shows ($4 for adults, $3 for children).
Curiosity memberships are also available for eligible low income households. These memberships are $15 per year. During the year, you’ll get unlimited admission to the museum and discounted $2 planetarium tickets. In order to be eligible, you must at least 18 years old and enrolled in one of these programs:
- MN EBT
- Free/Reduced Price Student Meals
- GA (General Assistance)
- MA (Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare)
- MFIP
- Section 8
- SSI
- SSDI
- TANF
- WIC
Minnesota Children’s Museum – $3 each or $39 memberships
MCM offers two distinct discounts for low income guests. First, the All Play Tickets allow low income families to purchase up to six tickets for just $3 each.
Alternatively, local low income families may qualify for a $39 per year All Play Scholarship Membership. This membership provides unlimited admission for a year, plus one free flex guest per visit and a 10% discount at the café and store.
Science Museum of Minnesota – $3 per person
Low income guests can receive discounted admission to the Science Museum of Minnesota through their Great Tix program! These tickets cost $3 for museum admission and $3 for omnitheater 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:
- Free/Reduced Price Student Meals
- GA (General Assistance)
- MA (Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare)
- MFIP
- Section 8
- SSI
- SSDI
- TANF
- WIC
Please bring your EBT card or verification paperwork and valid Minnesota photo ID to receive these discounted admission rates.
