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There are 37,646 households (71,183 individuals) receiving CalFresh benefits in Stanislaus County, bringing approximately $18 million dollars each month into the local economy."
If you're an EBT cardholder in Stanislaus County, you have access to a variety of shopping discounts that can help stretch your budget. These programs offer significant savings on everyday purchases and delivery services. Let's explore the available discounts:
(Español: Al final de este artículo, encontrará un resumen completo en español para nuestros lectores de habla hispana.)
Amazon Access provides a fantastic opportunity for EBT cardholders. You can get Amazon Prime for just $6.99 per month – that's 50% off the regular price! This discount includes all Prime benefits such as:
Free shipping on eligible items
Access to Prime Video streaming service
Prime Reading
Amazon Photos storage
To sign up, visit the Amazon Access page and click the "Get Started" button. You'll need your EBT card on hand to verify your eligibility.
Instacart, the popular grocery delivery service, offers a discounted Instacart+ membership for EBT cardholders. You can get Instacart+ for just $4.99 per month for up to 12 months (limited time offer, automatically renews at $9.99 after 1 year). Benefits include:
Free delivery on orders over $10 (other service and fees may apply)
Reduced service fees
Ability to shop from multiple stores in one order
To access this discount, sign in to your Instacart account (or create one on the site), click on the menu, and select "Get started" for the Instacart+ offer.
Walmart+ Assist provides EBT cardholders with a discounted Walmart+ membership at $6.47 per month. This program includes:
Free delivery from your local store
Free shipping with no order minimum
Savings on fuel
Video streaming from Paramount+
Visit the Walmart+ Assist page and click "Start 30-day free trial" to begin. You'll need your EBT card to verify eligibility.
Shipt, another popular delivery service, provides a discounted membership for EBT cardholders at $4.99 per month. This includes benefits like:
Free delivery on orders over $35
Exclusive deals and discounts
Ability to shop from various retailers : Cardenas market, Smart & Final, Walgreens, CVS, 7-Eleven, Safeway, Food Maxx, Target & Save Mart
To sign up, visit the Shipt EBT page and follow the instructions to start your discounted membership.
These shopping discounts can significantly reduce your expenses and provide convenient access to a wide range of products. Remember to have your EBT card ready when signing up for these services, as you'll need to verify your eligibility.
For more information on these discounts or other resources available to EBT cardholders in Stanislaus County, don't hesitate to check out community connections in this site to see how your neighbors are navigating the Calfresh EBT benefits. We're here to help you make the most of your benefits and connect you with valuable community resources.
For more articles about EBT/Calfresh and how to make your food budget go further. Visit the search bar and type EBT.
Facts About Your Benefits
As a CalFresh recipient in Stanislaus County, it's important to understand the difference between Supplement Facts and Nutrition Facts labels, as well as some specific California regulations that affect your shopping experience.
Supplement Facts vs. Nutrition Facts
When you're shopping for food items, you'll encounter two types of labels: Nutrition Facts and Supplement Facts. Here's what you need to know:
Nutrition Facts Labels
Found on conventional food products
Regulated more strictly by the FDA
Can be purchased with your CalFresh benefits
List essential nutrients, calories, and serving sizes
Ingredients are generally recognized as safe by the FDA
Supplement Facts Labels
Found on dietary supplements (vitamins, minerals, herbs, etc.)
Less strictly regulated by the FDA
Cannot be purchased with CalFresh benefits
May list specific plant parts or proprietary blends
Can include structure/function claims (e.g., "supports bone health")
As a CalFresh recipient, focus on products with Nutrition Facts labels, as these are the items you can purchase with your benefits. This ensures you're getting food products that meet FDA safety standards and are eligible for purchase with your EBT card.
Grocery Bags in California
When shopping in California, you might notice a charge for grocery bags. Here's what applies to you as a CalFresh recipient:
Most stores charge at least 10 cents per paper bag
However, as a CalFresh recipient, you are exempt from this charge
When using your EBT card, you can receive paper bags for free
Don't hesitate to inform the cashier that you're using CalFresh benefits to ensure you receive your free paper bags.
California Redemption Value (CRV) on Beverages
When purchasing certain beverages, you'll encounter the California Redemption Value (CRV). Here's what you need to know:
CRV is charged on eligible containers, including soda and bottled water
The fee is 5 cents for containers less than 24 ounces, and 10 cents for larger containers
CRV applies even when using CalFresh benefits
You can redeem this deposit by recycling the containers at recycling centers
While CalFresh doesn't cover the CRV fee, remember that you can recoup this cost by recycling your containers. This not only helps you recover the deposit but also contributes to environmental conservation efforts.
Understanding these distinctions and regulations will help you make informed decisions while shopping with your CalFresh benefits in Stanislaus County. Remember to prioritize products with Nutrition Facts labels, take advantage of free paper bags, and consider recycling your beverage containers to recover the CRV deposit.
In Summary
EBT cardholders in Stanislaus County can enjoy significant discounts on shopping and delivery services that help them save money each month. Amazon offers Prime membership for just $6.99 a month (50% off the regular price) with free shipping and access to Prime Video. Instacart+ is available for $4.99 a month for 12 months, with free deliveries on orders over $10 and reduced fees. Walmart+ Assist costs only $6.47 a month and includes free deliveries, free shipping, fuel discounts, and access to Paramount+. Shipt also offers a discounted membership for $4.99 a month, which includes free deliveries on orders over $35 and exclusive deals at stores like Cardenas, Safeway, and Target. These programs make it easier to maximize CalFresh EBT benefits and improve access to essential products at reduced prices.
Resume en Español
Los titulares de tarjetas EBT en el condado de Stanislaus pueden disfrutar de importantes descuentos en servicios de compras y entregas que les ayudan a ahorrar dinero cada mes. Amazon ofrece la membresía Prime por solo $6.99 al mes (50 % menos del precio regular) con envío gratuito y acceso a Prime Video. Instacart+ está disponible por $4.99 al mes durante 12 meses, con entregas gratis en pedidos mayores de $10 y cargos reducidos. Walmart+ Assist cuesta solo $6.47 al mes e incluye entregas sin costo, envío gratuito, descuentos en combustible y acceso a Paramount+. Shipt también ofrece una membresía con descuento de $4.99 al mes que incluye entregas gratuitas en pedidos de más de $35 y ofertas exclusivas en tiendas como Cardenas, Safeway y Target. Estos programas permiten aprovechar al máximo los beneficios de CalFresh EBT y facilitar el acceso a productos esenciales a precios reducidos.
If you know someone who could benefit from these services, share this post with them. Together, we can ensure that every person in Stanislaus County receives the support they deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What shopping discounts are available for EBT cardholders in Stanislaus County?
EBT cardholders in Stanislaus County can access discounted memberships for Amazon Prime, Instacart+, Walmart+ Assist, and Shipt, providing significant savings on shipping, grocery delivery, and streaming services.
How much does Amazon Prime cost for EBT cardholders, and what are the benefits?
Amazon Prime is available to EBT cardholders for $6.99 per month, which is 50% off the regular price. Benefits include free shipping on eligible items, access to Prime Video, Prime Reading, and Amazon Photos storage.
Are there discounts for grocery delivery services for EBT cardholders?
Yes. Instacart+ offers a discounted rate of $4.99 per month for up to 12 months, and Shipt provides membership at $4.99 per month. Both services include free delivery on orders over $35 and access to exclusive deals.
What are the benefits of Walmart+ Assist for EBT cardholders?
Walmart+ Assist is available for $6.47 per month and includes free delivery from your local store, free shipping with no order minimum, fuel savings, and access to Paramount+ video streaming.
Can CalFresh recipients get free grocery bags when shopping in California?
Yes. CalFresh recipients are exempt from the 10-cent charge for grocery bags at most stores. When using an EBT card, you can receive paper grocery bags for free by informing the cashier.
What food items are eligible for purchase with CalFresh EBT benefits?
Items with Nutrition Facts labels (conventional foods) can be purchased using CalFresh benefits. However, dietary supplements with Supplement Facts labels cannot be purchased with CalFresh funds.
How does the California Redemption Value (CRV) fee affect EBT purchases?
The CRV fee applies to eligible beverage containers, regardless of whether you pay with CalFresh benefits. The fee is 5 cents for containers under 24 ounces and 10 cents for larger containers, but you can redeem this deposit by recycling the containers.
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