If you have been looking to get details about Illinois EBT Discounts and Perks, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we will review all the amazing perks and discounts that are available to EBT cardholders in the state of Illinois.
Some of these great discounts include about a 50% discount on Amazon Prime membership.
In case you are not familiar with Amazon Prime, it offers FREE fast shipping for eligible purchases, streaming of movies, TV shows and music, exclusive shopping deals and selection, unlimited reading, and more.
In addition, there are also discounted home internet services for those who qualify.
Also, your Illinois Link Card gives you discounted or FREE access to museums and other great family-friendly places in the state of Illinois.
National EBT Discounts
Below are the discounts that are available to all EBT Cardholders across the United States, that can also be redeemed by Illinois EBT Card Holders.
Amazon Prime EBT Discount
If you have an Illinois Link Card, you can now sign up for Amazon Prime EBT Discount and get all the great benefits that come with Prime membership, at a fraction of the cost.
The regular Amazon Prime membership is $14.99 a month. However, if you have an EBT Card, you can get Prime Membership for $6.99. That’s over 50% off the regular price.
Given that Amazon is part of the USDA pilot of vendors approved to accept food stamps online for delivery, prime membership allows you to order groceries through Amazon Pantry in certain parts of the country.
Sign-up for Amazon Prime EBT Discount HERE
If you are not sure if the Amazon Prime EBT Discount is worth it, here is a summary of the what you get with your Amazon Prime membership:
FREE, Fast Delivery on Millions of Items
With Amazon Prime membership, you get fast, free shipping on over 50 million eligible items on Amazon.com. They have also rolled out a program recently that allows people who live in certain metropolitan areas to get FREE Same-Day Delivery on over a million items and FREE 2-hour delivery with Prime Now on daily essentials and groceries.
Instantly Stream TV Shows and Movies
One of the most popular features is the instant streaming of TV Shows and Movies. Your Prime membership includes instant access to thousands of movies and TV shows at no additional cost. You can stream all these on select Smart TVs, Roku, Xbox, Amazon Fire TV, iPhones, tablets, and Android devices.
Other Benefits of Amazon Prime
- Buy groceries online with your EBT Card through Amazon Pantry for delivery (in states where this is available)
- Over two million songs. Thousands of playlists and stations (On-demand, ad-free music streaming)
- Books, Magazines & More (Unlimited reading on any device)
- Original audio series from Audible (Unlimited listening to original audio series)
- Twitch Prime (Get free game content every month, exclusive discounts, plus loads more)
- All your photos, together at last (Free unlimited photo storage)
Illinois EBT Discounts for 2024
Lifeline Program
If you are currently on Food Stamps/EBT Cardholder, and your income is below a certain level, you may qualify for FREE or low-cost home or cell phone service for you or a member of your family through the Federal Lifeline Program, which serves nearly 13 million Americans.
The Lifeline program helps to lower the monthly cost of phone and internet service. Eligible customers will get at least $9.25 toward their monthly bill. You can only use Lifeline for either phone or internet service, but not both.
Discounted Cell Phone Services
Below is a list of cell phone providers that participate in the Lifeline program in the state of Illinois.
| Company Name | Phone |
| Life Wireless | 888-543-3620 |
| Safelink Wireless | 800-723-3546 |
| Illinois Telephone Corporation | 800-480-4198 |
| Yourtel America | 855-299-9990 |
| Access Wireless | 866-594-3644 |
Discounted Home Phone Services
Below is a list of home phone providers that participate in the Lifeline program in the state of Illinois.
Discounted Internet Service
The new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides discounted internet to EBT Cardholders. The program provides households with a $30 discount on their internet service each month.
Plus, you could also get a one-time $100 discount on the purchase of an eligible laptop, desktop or tablet.
You can combine the $30 ACP internet credit with your Lifeline phone service to save even more on your phone and internet bill each month.
To find out how to apply, check out our article here.
Discounted Museums Admission
As an EBT cardholder in Illinois, you also get discounted or FREE access to museums and other great family-friendly places. We have compiled the list below for your convenience.
The Illinois Museums listed below all offer individual admission fees ranging from FREE to $3.00 to individuals and families who have an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, and a valid form of photo ID.
The offer covers up to four individuals per EBT card, which means that if you have a family of 4, you can use your Illinois EBT card to get the special discounted rate or the free admission for all four members.
These rates are available during all normal operating hours. We advise that you call the museum first before you go – so that you can find out what their special rate is for EBT Cardholders (whether it’s free admission or $3).
Here is the list of participating Museums:
Children’s Discovery Museum
101 E Beaufort St.
Normal, Illinois 61761
309-433-3444
Museum of Science and Industry Chicago
5700 S Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60637
773-684-1414
MSI offers free Museum Entry* to individuals and families—regardless of state residency—presenting an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card or a Women, Infants and Children (WIC) card, along with a photo ID. Each cardholder is entitled to free Museum Entry* tickets for up to two adults and up to six children (under 18). Advance reservations are not available.
41 locations
Rock Island, Illinois 61201
Freeport, Illinois 61032
Rockford, Illinois 61102
Peoria, Illinois 61602
Peoria, Illinois 61603
Springfield, Illinois 62701
Springfield, Illinois 62701
Aurora, Illinois 60506
Normal, Illinois 61761
Bloomington, Illinois 61701
Edwardsville, Illinois 62025
Naperville, Illinois 60540
Glenview, Illinois 60026
Skokie, Illinois 60077
Oak Park, Illinois 60302
Chicago, Illinois 60641
Chicago, Illinois 60622
Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453
Chicago, Illinois 60642
Chicago, Illinois 60608
Chicago, Illinois 60614
Chicago, Illinois 60610
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Chicago, Illinois 60603
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Chicago, Illinois 60637
Chicago, Illinois 60637
Champaign, Illinois 61820
Free Zoo and Aquarium Admission with Illinois EBT
Experience all that Illinois zoos, botanical, gardens, and aquariums have to offer – lush landscapes, and exotic land and sea creatures at discounted rates exclusively for Illinois EBT Cardholders.
Yes, you can get into select Illinois aquariums and zoos with your EBT Card.
In a groundbreaking initiative, the following Illinois zoos, botanical gardens, and aquariums are opening their doors for EBT cardholders for FREE or at a deep discount.
Lincoln Park Zoo: A Free Wildlife Adventure
Imagine wandering among exotic animals without spending a penny!
That’s what you get at Lincoln Park Zoo, a family-friendly destination offering a free wildlife experience.
Plus, if you pick up a pass from CPL, you can enjoy a 10% discount on food and retail purchases throughout the park.
It’s not just a zoo, it’s an adventure that’s kind to your wallet!
Click here for EBT Admission Details.
Dive into the Deep at Shedd Aquarium – At No Cost!
For families with an EBT card or WIC benefits, Shedd Aquarium is a must-visit.
Dive into the underwater world for free and explore permanent exhibits, the mesmerizing Underwater Beauty special exhibit, and the touch-friendly Stingray Touch experience.
And for a little extra, enhance your visit with a 4D experience for just $4.95 per person.
Click here for EBT Admission Details.
Chicago Botanic Garden: A Floral Paradise with Discounted Parking
While entry to the Chicago Botanic Garden is always free, Illinois LINK cardholders get the added perk of reduced parking rates.
Military families also benefit from free parking, making this a perfect spot for a day surrounded by nature’s best.
Click here for EBT Admission Details.
The Morton Arboretum: Explore for Just $1
Stretching over 1,700 acres, The Morton Arboretum offers an affordable educational adventure.
Illinois LINK cardholders and up to 7 guests can explore for just $1 per person.
Don’t miss the award-winning children’s garden – a magical experience for the little ones!
Click here for EBT Admission Details.
Quad City Botanical Center: A Budget-Friendly Green Haven
For only $2 per person, LINK cardholders can explore the lush landscapes of the Quad City Botanical Center.
Pack a picnic (minus the breakable items and alcohol) and enjoy a day in the embrace of nature.
Click here for EBT Admission Details.
Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden: A Free Nature Retreat
Discover Winnebago County’s largest public garden without spending a dime.
With over 150 acres, including handicap-accessible paths, Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden is a paradise for families and individuals with EBT or WIC benefits.
Click here for EBT Admission Details.
Illinois EBT Discounts Summary
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If you have additional questions about the Illinois SNAP or EBT, please leave those in the comments section below. We are here to help you!
Be sure to check out our other articles about Illinois Food Stamps and EBT, including:
- How to Check Illinois EBT Card Balance
- Application for Benefits Eligibility Login Help
- How to Create an Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) Account
- Income Limit for Illinois Food Stamps
- How to apply for Illinois Food Stamps Online
- Grocery Stores that Accept EBT online
- How to Get 50% off Amazon Prime with EBT