Your NC Food Stamps Card Can Unlock Discounts

A North Carolina food stamps card can do so much more than buy groceries and give you cash benefits. It can also be used for discounted admission, growing a garden and so much more! Check out all the awesome and unadvertised NC food stamps perks we’ve discovered!

6 Things You Need to Know about North Carolina EBT

• Apply for North Carolina EBT online on the government website. This is the fastest and easiest way to apply for food benefits.
• You can buy fruit trees. Food stamps can be used to buy seeds, produce-bearing plants and even some birthday cakes! We’ve found several surprising things you can buy with food stamps.
• Shop smart. You may be able to get more food for your money at farmer’s markets and You-Pick Strawberry Fields!
• You may be eligible for more. Who doesn’t need more grocery money every month?  You may be able to get more! Here’s what you need to know.
• You can get cash back (it’s legal)! We’ve helped users get hundreds of dollars back just by shopping with food stamps. It’s completely legal and very easy. Here’s how it’s done.
• You can shop at a lot of places! North Carolina EBT can be used at Costco, Schwans, CSAs, Farmer’s Markets and so much more. Check out our complete list!

Enjoy free produce when you use your SNAP or EBT!

North Carolina residents can use their SNAP or EBT cards to get extra produce when they buy fresh fruits and vegetables, up to $20 per customer, per day. There are two different fresh market programs in North Carolina, the Fresh Bucks program and the NC Triangle & Rural Farmers Market Double Bucks program. 

You can find participating locations in this guide.

Got NC food stamps? Get incredible discounts!

Amazon offers steep discounts on Amazon Prime membership for low income customers! You’ll need to verify that you receive food stamps or Medicaid to get this incredible price.

FREE Fishing License waivers  are available to NC food stamps recipients. In fact, any North Carolina residents with either a Medicaid, EBT, or Work First Family Assistance program letter can get a fishing license waiver.

The waiver provides basic fishing license privileges for inland, coastal and joint waters. It’s valid for 12 months and may be renewed annually through your local DSS office.

Cell phones and service are available FREE. If you qualify for NC food stamps, you may qualify for a FREE smartphone and FREE monthly service (including data)!

Internet is essential to daily life. You could qualify for Internet as low as $5 per month!

Power companies may provide free weatherization services, free appliances and other perks for low income customers.

Property tax exemptions for low-income seniors and disabled veterans may be available from your local county assessor’s office. Contact your assessor’s office for more information, including income limits and application instructions.

Student loans? If you qualify for NC food stamps, you also qualify for income-based repayment plans! These plans can cost you as little as ZERO dollars per month and can even result in total loan forgiveness! Get the details on these low income student loan repayment plans here!

Veterinary care is so expensive! If you need help paying for pet care, we’ve found some resources for you. Get the details here!

YMCA usually offer discounts for low income individuals and families. If you’ve got NC food stamps, you may be able to get a discounted membership to your local YMCA! Since details vary by location, you’ll need to contact them directly for more information.

Get museum admission discounts with your NC food stamps!

For your convenience, we’ve organized our free and discounted museum admission list alphabetically by city. We’ve also used green titles for museums that accept EBT cards from all 50 states. Museums with black titles only accept NC food stamps cards for the discount.

Please note 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.

Aurora

Aurora Fossil Museum – FREE

The Aurora Fossil Museum in Aurora, North Carolina, is a hidden gem for paleontology enthusiasts. Built around fossils recovered from a nearby phosphate mine, the museum showcases a remarkable collection of ancient marine life, including impressive megalodon teeth.

Belmont

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden – $1 per person

This all-seasons garden is located in 380 acres along the banks of Lake Wylie. It features spectacular gardens, sparking fountains, a conservatory with tropical plants and orchids, a garden store, nature trails and more.

Blowing Rock

Blowing Rock Art & History Museum – FREE

BRAHM is located in the small village of Blowing Rock, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s goal is to promote the arts, history and heritage of the mountains through programs, exhibits and collections. You can browse their current exhibits by clicking here.

Boone

Children’s Playhouse – FREE Memberships

Located in the High Country, Children’s Playhouse provides engaging, interactive fun in all weather. Explore the Vet Clinic, Arts & Crafts studio, Meadow Room, kitchen, boulder wall and more!

The Children’s Playhouse says that they offer “free or half-price memberships to qualifying low-income families.” To qualify for a scholarship membership, you’ll need to visit the Playhouse or call 828-263-0011 between 12:30 pm and 3 pm.

Chapel Hill

Kidzu Children’s Museum – $3 per person

KidZu is a hands-on museum for young children, with 8,500 square feet of multi-sensory play and discovery.

Morehead Planetarium & Science Center – $1 per person

When you show your EBT card, you can receive $1 admission for up to seven guests! The tickets are Admission + Planetarium Show Combo tickets, which makes this a very generous offer. You must show an EBT card and photo ID at the admission desks to get this discount.

North Carolina Botanical Garden – FREE

The North Carolina Botanical Garden has over 1,000 acres of display gardens and natural areas, the garden showcases native plants in various habitats, from coastal plains to mountain forests.

Charlotte

Charlotte Museum of History – FREE

The Charlotte Museum of History in Charlotte, North Carolina, preserves and interprets the region’s past through exhibits, educational programs, and the preservation of historic buildings, including the city’s oldest surviving home.

Charlotte Nature Museum – $1 per person

Get close to nature with an adventure at Charlotte Nature Museum! Walk among butterflies, observe animals, get close to little critters or walk through a century-old forest on the nature trail. There’s always something to do at the nature museum!

This museum participates in the Welcome Program, which invites South Carolina AND North Carolina EBT or WIC recipients to visit certain museums for just $1 per person (up to 6 people). Just show your benefits card to the person at the admissions desk to receive your discount.

Guests who receive admission through this program will also be allowed to pay just $5 per vehicle for parking and purchase IMAX tickets for just $5 each. For more information, please click here.

Discovery Place – $1 per person

This museum invites families to explore science, technology and nature through interactive exhibits, learning labs, an aquarium and more. The Discovery Place is a multi-sensory, educational wonderland for visitors of all ages.

Discovery Place also participates in the Welcome Program!  This discount works for up to 6 people per North Carolina or South Carolina EBT card!

Wing Haven – FREE

Wing Haven admission includes access to the garden, bird sanctuary, children’s garden, Elizabeth Lawrence House and garden, and the historic homes. You can enjoy a self-guided tour for free with your EBT card.

Fayetteville

Cape Fear Botanical garden – $3 per person

The Cape Fear Botanical Garden offers “A Garden for All” program! Show your photo ID and EBT card to get discounted regular admission. P-EBT cards do not qualify for the discount. There is a limit of four people per EBT card discount. There are no discounts for special events.

High Point

Nido & Mariana Qubein Childrne’s Museum – $1 per person

This museum is listed as a Museums for All partner but the building is still being constructed as of this update. No further details are available at this time.

Huntersville

Discovery Place KIDS – $1 per person

The Welcome Program works here, too! This museum is specifically designed to encourage children to explore their imaginations, learn social skills and develop confidence while they play. Be sure to check out the fun and exciting Learning Garden! This discount is available for up to 6 people per North Carolina or South Carolina EBT card.

Jacksonville

Zing Zumm Children’s Museum – $3 per person

Started by two teachers who dreamt of a children’s museum in Jacksonville, Zing Zumm is a great destination for kids in Jacksonville. As a Museums for All partner, low income families can visit for $3 per person. Limit 4 people per EBT discount.

Kure Beach

Kure Beach Aquarium – $3 per person ($2 per kid)

Admire baby sea turtles and watch a swimmer interact with eels at Kure Beach Aquarium! Presently, Kure Beach Aquarium invites NC food stamps recipients to visit the aquarium for $3 per adult and $2 per child. Only four people can receive discounts with each EBT card and ID. Kids ages 2 and under are always free, so they don’t count toward that limit.

Lumberton

Robeson Planetarium and Science Center – $3 or less per person

Robeson Planetarium and Science Center is actually part of the county’s public school system! This program is listed as a Museums for All partner but it is not clear what that includes.

Manteo

Roanoke Island Aquarium – $3 per person ($2 per kid)

See an alligator and touch real stingrays at the Roanoke Island Aquarium! If you have NC food stamps, then you can get up to four people into the Aquarium for just $3 per adult and $2 per child! Kids 2 and under are always free!

Mocksville

Cognition – $3 or less per person

Cognition is an interactive children’s museum and makerspace in Davie County. The museum is geared to children but the makerspace is for people of all ages.

We have reached out to Cognition for more information about what the Museums for All discount includes and what the price is.

Ocean Isle Beach

Museum of Coastal Carolina – $3 or less per person

The Museum of Coastal Carolina welcomes EBT cardholders for $3 or less per person.

Pine Knoll Shores

Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium – $3 per person ($2 per kids)

Watch otters play, come eye-to-eye with sharks and explore shipwrecks at the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium. You can even see a rare white sea turtle! At this time, Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium invites NC food stamps recipients to visit for just $3 per adult or $2 per child. Up to four people can visit per EBT card, and you must show matching ID.

Raleigh

Marbles Children’s Museum – SEE DETAILS

Families who receive public assistance in Raleigh can participate in the Wake County Health and Human Services’ Middle Class Express program. Families who participate in this program can receive free memberships to Marbles Children Museum, in addition to other benefits.

Rockingham

Discovery Place KIDS – $1 per person

This museum is specifically designed to encourage children to explore their imaginations, learn social skills and develop confidence while they play. Kids can create masterpieces, fix cars, be an inventor or a chef or a castle builder. Their imagination is the only limit at Discovery Place!

The Welcome Program works here, too! This discount is available for up to 6 people per North Carolina or South Carolina EBT card.

Spencer

North Carolina Museum of Dolls, Toys & Miniatures – $3 or less

Explore 4,000 square feet of toys, including tinkertoys, dolls and so much more.

Sunset Beach

Ingram Planetarium – $3 or less per person

The Ingram Planetarium welcomes EBT cardholders for $3 or less per person.

Wilmington

Arlie Gardens – FREE

When you present a Photo ID and EBT card (or show the EBT app on your phone) to receive FREE admission for your household (2 Adults and up to 8 Children) to the historic Arlie Gardens.  For over 100 years, the beauty of Arlie Gardens has served New Hanover County residents and other visitors.

Cameron Art Museum – FREE

The Cameron Art Museum (CAM) has year round free admission with your EBT card, and from Memorial Day to Labor Day it’s also free for members of the military and their families.

Cape Fear Museum – FREE

The Cape Fear Museum is free for up to six people with an EBT card.

Children’s Museum of Wilmington – $3 per person

The Children’s Museum of Wilmington spreads across three buildings that were formerly known as the St. John’s Museum of Art. You can explore the entire children’s museum for just $3 per person when you use their EBT card discount!

Winston-Salem

Kaleideum (Downtown & North) – $3 per person

Kaleideum was formed from the merger of both the Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem and SciWorks! The museum includes 25,000 square feet of exhibits and also 17 acres of Science and Environmental Parks.

According to the website, “Permanent indoor exhibits include: The Planetarium, PhysicsWorks, SoundWorks, HealthWorks, BioWorks, KevaWorks, KidsWorks, and NC: Mountains to the Sea. The Science & Environmental Park includes animal habitats, nature trails, and interactive outdoor exhibits.”

Old Salem Museums & Gardens – $3 or less per person

This historic site tells the comprehensive story of Old Salem, including it’s great diversity. The Old Salem Museums include many destinations: The Historic Town of Salem, the galleries at the Frank L. Horton Museum Center, the Gardens at Old Salem and more.

Reynolda House Museum of American Art – FREE

The history of Reynolda began in 1874, when R. J. Reynolds arrived in Winston to establish his own tobacco factory. This 170-acre historic estate now includes the Reynolda House Museum of American Art, the Reynolda Gardens and the village shops and restaurants. You can get free admission when you show your SNAP EBT card!

Wilson

Imagination Station Science & History Museum – $3 or less per person

The Imagination Station has many exhibits that focus on STEM topics. Some of their exhibits include Science on a Sphere, Body-ology, Observation Hive and more!

Get FREE stuff in NC! See all our NC info here!