Your Texas Lone Star Card — the EBT card used for SNAP benefits in Texas — does a lot more than buy groceries. In 2026, Texas Food Stamps recipients can access free or deeply discounted admission at dozens of museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and cultural centers from Austin to Fort Worth to Corpus Christi.
Your Lone Star Card also unlocks half-price Amazon Prime, doubled produce dollars at farmers markets through Double Up Food Bucks, phone and internet discounts, Summer EBT for children, energy bill assistance, and discounted H-E-B grocery pickup with online SNAP payment.
This is the complete guide to every EBT discount available to Texas residents in 2026, organized by city and program.
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Important: Texas SNAP Purchase Restrictions Starting April 1, 2026
Texas received federal approval to restrict certain SNAP purchases starting April 1, 2026. As of that date, Lone Star Cardholders can no longer use their SNAP benefits to buy candy or sweetened beverages — including sodas, energy drinks, and other beverages with five or more grams of added sugar or any amount of artificial sweetener.
Specifically, the following items can no longer be purchased with SNAP in Texas as of April 1, 2026: candy bars, gummies, gum, and other confectionery sweets; sweetened sodas; energy drinks; beverages with five or more grams of added sugar; beverages containing artificial sweeteners; and candied, glazed, or chocolate-coated nuts, raisins, or fruits.
What is not restricted: chips, popcorn, baked goods, and most other packaged snack foods are still SNAP-eligible as long as they do not fall under the new candy or sweetened beverage definitions. Fresh and frozen produce, meat, dairy, bread, canned goods, and all other standard SNAP-eligible foods are completely unaffected.
The restrictions apply for a two-year demonstration period beginning April 1, 2026, and will be evaluated by the USDA before any permanent changes are made.
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Amazon Prime — Half Price for Texas Lone Star Cardholders
Texas SNAP recipients can get Amazon Prime for $6.99 per month — less than half the standard $14.99 price. The membership includes free two-day shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Reading, and the ability to use your Lone Star Card to pay for SNAP-eligible groceries through Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods pickup and delivery in eligible Texas ZIP codes.
Sign up for discounted Amazon Prime here — verify your SNAP enrollment by uploading a photo of your Lone Star Card or SNAP benefit letter. A credit or debit card is required as a backup payment method. The $6.99 monthly fee cannot be charged to your EBT balance. A free 30-day trial is available if you have never had Prime before.
Double Up Food Bucks Texas — Free Produce at Farmers Markets
Double Up Food Bucks Texas matches your SNAP spending at participating farmers markets, grocery stores, and farm stands with free fresh fruits and vegetables — dollar for dollar, up to $30 per day at most locations.
Here is how it works step by step:
At farmers markets: Bring your Lone Star Card to the Double Up booth at a participating market before you start shopping. Tell the market staff how much you want to spend. They will exchange your SNAP benefits for market tokens — one SNAP market dollar for any SNAP-eligible food at the market, and one Double Up token to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables from any market vendor. The match is $1 for $1, up to $30 per market day at most locations. Tokens do not expire at the end of the day — you can save them for a future visit.
At participating grocery stores: When you buy fresh fruits and vegetables using your Lone Star Card, the store matches your produce spending dollar for dollar up to $30 per day. Some stores apply the match as a coupon, others use a loyalty card system, and others apply an instant 50% discount at the register. Let the cashier know you want to Double Up before your transaction is processed.
Double Up Food Bucks Texas is expanding and is currently available at farmers markets and select grocery stores across Austin, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, Waco, and other cities. Find participating Texas locations at doubleuptexas.org.
H-E-B — Online SNAP and Free Curbside Pickup
H-E-B, Texas’s largest grocery chain, accepts SNAP EBT for online grocery orders — including curbside pickup — at most Texas locations. You can place an H-E-B pickup order through the H-E-B app or website, pay with your Lone Star Card for SNAP-eligible items, and collect your groceries curbside without going inside the store.
H-E-B’s curbside pickup is free for most orders, making it one of the most practical EBT pickup options in Texas. Non-SNAP-eligible items and any applicable fees must be paid with a separate payment method. Check the H-E-B app at checkout to confirm whether online SNAP payment is available at your specific store.
Walmart — Free Curbside Pickup with SNAP EBT
Walmart accepts Lone Star Card SNAP EBT for online grocery orders and curbside pickup in Texas. Curbside pickup is free on orders of $35 or more. Order through Walmart.com or the Walmart app, select pickup, and pay with your Lone Star Card for SNAP-eligible food items. Non-food items and any fees must be paid with a separate method.
Austin — Museums and Cultural Centers
Bullock Texas State History Museum (Austin) — Free admission to all exhibition galleries for SNAP and WIC cardholders and all their guests. The museum spans three floors with rotating exhibits, a Texas Spirit Theater, and permanent exhibits telling the story of Texas history from prehistoric times to the present. This is one of the most generous EBT admission discounts in Texas — free for you and everyone you bring.
LBJ Presidential Library (Austin) — Discounted admission for SNAP and EBT cardholders. Explore one of the most historically rich presidential libraries in the country, with dozens of LBJ’s historic White House telephone conversations, a replica Oval Office, Lady Bird Johnson’s personal office, and extensive exhibits on civil rights legislation and the Great Society programs.
The Contemporary Austin: Jones Center (Austin) — Free admission for EBT cardholders. Located in the heart of downtown Austin, the Jones Center features cutting-edge contemporary art exhibitions and events.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (Austin) — Discounted admission for SNAP and EBT cardholders. The official botanical garden and arboretum of Texas, featuring over 100 acres of native plants and sustainable landscapes. A family membership is available for $20 per year — an exceptional value for families who visit more than once.
Mexic-Arte Museum (Austin) — Discounted admission for EBT cardholders through the Museums for All program.
Fort Worth — Museums, Gardens, and Performing Arts
Fort Worth Botanic Garden — $1 per adult for SNAP and WIC cardholders; children 15 and under are always free. A discounted family membership is available for $30 per year. The Fort Worth Botanic Garden spans over 100 acres and is one of the oldest and largest botanic gardens in Texas.
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History (FWMSH) — Discounted admission for EBT and SNAP cardholders. Admission includes entry to all exhibits, the Cattle Raisers Museum, and select showings at the Noble Planetarium. Exhibits rotate regularly so there is always something new.
Kimbell Art Museum (Fort Worth) — $3 per person for EBT cardholders and their immediate family. One of the most respected art museums in the United States, with an internationally recognized permanent collection and special exhibitions.
National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame (Fort Worth) — EBT cardholders have two admission options: $1 per person for up to two adults and all dependent children in the household, or a $10 annual membership for unlimited admission for the entire year. The $10 annual membership is one of the best EBT membership deals in Texas — if you visit twice, it pays for itself.
Log Cabin Village (Fort Worth) — Discounted admission for EBT cardholders. A living history museum that brings Texas pioneer life to scale through authentic 19th-century log cabins and costumed interpreters.
Houston — Museums, Science Centers, and More
Houston Museum of Natural Science — Participates in the Museums for All program with discounted admission for EBT cardholders. One of the most-visited natural history museums in the United States.
Children’s Museum Houston — Discounted admission for EBT cardholders. One of the top children’s museums in the country, with hands-on interactive exhibits for children of all ages.
Holocaust Museum Houston — Free admission for EBT cardholders. A nationally recognized museum focused on Holocaust education and the lessons of human rights.
Buffalo Soldiers National Museum (Houston) — Discounted admission for EBT cardholders through the Museums for All program.
Houston Arboretum and Nature Center — Free or discounted admission for EBT cardholders.
Additional Houston-area Museums for All participants can be found at museums4all.org. Enter your Houston-area ZIP code to see participating venues near you.
Corpus Christi — Texas State Aquarium Lone Star Days
The Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi operates Lone Star Days, a community access program offering $3 per person admission to Lone Star Cardholders who are residents of Nueces, Kleberg, San Patricio, or Aransas counties. The $3 rate applies to all ticket types — adult, student, senior, and military — with no variation by age. Children 2 and under are always free.
Important Lone Star Days requirements:
- Valid for Lone Star Card holders residing in the four qualifying counties only
- Only Lone Star Cards are accepted — P-EBT, WIC, and other assistance cards are not accepted
- Limit of four discounted tickets per Lone Star Card per visit
- Lone Star Days tickets must be purchased at the aquarium — no advance online purchase
- Not valid on holiday blackout dates (confirm current blackout dates at texasstateaquarium.org)
- Not valid on special event days
Lone Star Days is an exceptional value — standard adult aquarium admission is significantly higher than $3. The aquarium features five distinct ecosystems, interactive exhibits, and live animal encounters.
Dallas — Museums and Cultural Centers
Perot Museum of Nature and Science (Dallas) — Discounted admission for EBT cardholders through the Museums for All program.
Dallas Museum of Art — Free general admission for all visitors (no EBT card required) — making it a standout free cultural resource for all Dallas SNAP recipients.
Crow Museum of Asian Art (Dallas) — Free admission for all visitors (no EBT card required).
African American Museum of Dallas — Free general admission for all visitors.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden — Discounted admission for EBT cardholders. Check current EBT rate at the admissions desk or on the Dallas Arboretum website before visiting.
Discovery Place Interactive Museum (Texarkana) — Free or discounted admission for EBT cardholders. Located in the northeast corner of Texas.
San Antonio — Museums and Cultural Centers
San Antonio Museum of Art — Discounted admission for EBT cardholders through the Museums for All program.
Witte Museum (San Antonio) — Discounted admission for EBT cardholders. The Witte features exhibits on Texas history, culture, and natural science.
DoSeum (San Antonio) — Discounted admission for EBT cardholders. San Antonio’s children’s museum with interactive, hands-on exhibits for young children.
San Antonio Botanical Garden — Discounted admission for EBT cardholders. Check current EBT rate before visiting.
Galveston — Children’s Museum and More
Galveston Children’s Museum on Broadway — Free or discounted admission for EBT cardholders. Contact the museum directly to confirm current EBT admission rates before visiting.
Additional Galveston-area Museums for All participants can be found at museums4all.org.
Museums for All Texas — Full Statewide Directory
Texas has dozens of Museums for All participating institutions beyond those listed above, spread across every major metro and many smaller cities. The complete searchable directory is available at museums4all.org — enter your ZIP code to find every participating venue near you. Most Museums for All venues charge $5 or less per person for up to four people.
Phone Service — Lifeline
Texas Lone Star Cardholders automatically qualify for the federal Lifeline program, which provides up to $9.25 per month off a monthly phone or internet bill. Many participating Lifeline carriers in Texas offer unlimited talk and text plans for free or at very low cost for qualifying households. Some providers also include a free smartphone for new enrollees.
To find participating Texas Lifeline providers and apply, visit lifelinesupport.org or contact a carrier directly.
Internet Service — Discounted Broadband Plans
SNAP enrollment qualifies Texas households for discounted home internet from several major providers including Comcast Xfinity Internet Essentials, AT&T Access, and Spectrum Internet Assist. Contact your current or prospective internet provider and ask about income-based plans — SNAP enrollment is typically the primary qualifying credential.
Energy Bill Assistance — LIHEAP and CEAP
Texas SNAP households automatically qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps pay heating and cooling costs. In Texas, this program is administered locally as the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
CEAP provides seasonal benefits toward utility bills and crisis assistance for households facing shut-offs — particularly important in Texas, where summer heat and electric bills can be extreme. Contact your local community action agency or visit tdhca.texas.gov to find your local CEAP administrator and apply. CEAP funding is distributed seasonally and can run out, so applying early is strongly recommended.
Summer EBT — SUN Bucks for Children
Texas participates in the SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) program, which provides $120 per eligible child, loaded onto an EBT card, to buy groceries during summer when school meals are unavailable. The program covers children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals during the school year.
Most Texas SNAP households with eligible children receive SUN Bucks automatically — the benefit is added to your existing Lone Star Card without a separate application. Contact Texas HHSC or your local school district if you believe your children qualify and have not received the benefit.
Free School Meals for Children
Texas SNAP households automatically qualify their school-age children for free school meals through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Most Texas school districts use direct certification — you do not need to file a separate free and reduced meals application if your household already receives SNAP benefits.
Walmart+ and Instacart+ — Discounted Delivery Memberships
Walmart+ is available to SNAP recipients for approximately 50% off the standard $12.95 monthly price — around $6.47 per month. Includes free grocery delivery from Walmart on orders of $35 or more, free shipping on Walmart.com, fuel discounts, and Paramount+ streaming. Verify SNAP enrollment through Walmart’s benefits verification portal when signing up.
Instacart+ is available to EBT cardholders who have placed at least one SNAP order on Instacart within the last six months for $4.99 per month for the first year — roughly 50% off. Waives delivery fees on grocery orders over $10. Service fees still apply and must be paid separately. Instacart accepts Texas Lone Star SNAP EBT at participating retailers.
YMCA — Reduced Membership Rates
Many YMCA locations across Texas offer reduced or sliding-scale membership rates for SNAP recipients. Discount levels vary by location. Contact your local YMCA directly to ask about their income-based membership program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What discounts can I get with a Texas Lone Star Card?
Texas Lone Star Cardholders can access free or discounted admission at dozens of museums, zoos, botanical gardens, and cultural venues statewide; free admission to the Bullock Texas State History Museum and The Contemporary Austin for cardholders and guests; $3 Lone Star Days admission at the Texas State Aquarium (county residents only); Double Up Food Bucks produce matching up to $30 per day at farmers markets; half-price Amazon Prime at $6.99 per month; online SNAP EBT payments at H-E-B and Walmart for grocery pickup; phone discounts through Lifeline; discounted internet; Summer EBT ($120 per child); free school meals for children; and energy bill assistance through CEAP.
What SNAP items are restricted in Texas as of April 1, 2026?
Starting April 1, 2026, Texas Lone Star Cardholders can no longer use SNAP benefits to purchase candy (including chocolate bars, gummies, and gum) or sweetened beverages (including sodas, energy drinks, and beverages with five or more grams of added sugar or any artificial sweetener). Chips, popcorn, baked goods, and most other packaged snack foods are still allowed. All fresh and frozen produce, meat, dairy, bread, canned goods, and standard SNAP-eligible foods are unaffected.
How does Double Up Food Bucks work in Texas?
Double Up Food Bucks Texas matches your SNAP spending at participating farmers markets and grocery stores with free fresh fruits and vegetables — dollar for dollar, up to $30 per day at most locations. At farmers markets, go to the Double Up booth with your Lone Star Card before you shop. At grocery stores, let the cashier know you want to Double Up before your transaction. Find participating Texas locations at doubleuptexas.org.
Can I use my Lone Star Card at H-E-B online for pickup?
Yes. H-E-B accepts SNAP EBT for online grocery orders and curbside pickup at most Texas locations. Place your order through the H-E-B app or website, select curbside pickup, and pay with your Lone Star Card for SNAP-eligible items. Non-SNAP items and any fees must be paid separately.
Is the Texas State Aquarium free with an EBT card?
The Texas State Aquarium offers $3 per person admission through the Lone Star Days program for Lone Star Cardholders who live in Nueces, Kleberg, San Patricio, or Aransas counties. This is not free, but it is a significant discount. Only Lone Star Cards are accepted — WIC, P-EBT, and other assistance cards are not accepted. Limit of four tickets per card per visit. Tickets must be purchased at the aquarium on select program days.
Is the Bullock Texas State History Museum free for EBT cardholders?
Yes. The Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin offers free admission to all exhibition galleries for SNAP and WIC cardholders and all their guests — no per-person limit stated. This is one of the most generous EBT museum discounts in Texas.
How do I get Amazon Prime at half price with my Texas Lone Star Card?
Sign up at Amazon’s SNAP discount page and upload a photo of your Lone Star Card or SNAP benefit letter to verify enrollment. The discounted rate is $6.99 per month versus the standard $14.99. A credit or debit card is required as a backup payment method. A free 30-day trial is available if you have never had Prime before.
Can I use my Lone Star Card at farmers markets?
Yes. At participating Texas farmers markets with Double Up Food Bucks, you can use your Lone Star Card to pay for any SNAP-eligible food and receive matching tokens for free fresh fruits and vegetables — up to $30 in matching produce per market day. Find participating markets at doubleuptexas.org.
Bottom Line
Texas has one of the largest SNAP programs in the country — over 3.5 million residents receive benefits — and the EBT discounts available to Lone Star Cardholders match that scale. Free admission at the Bullock Museum for you and everyone you bring, $3 at the Texas State Aquarium, $1 adult admission at Fort Worth Botanic Garden, free admission at multiple Dallas museums, and up to $30 in free produce per day at farmers markets through Double Up Food Bucks all add up to real value far beyond the grocery store.
With Texas’s new SNAP purchase restrictions in effect as of April 1, 2026, Double Up Food Bucks at farmers markets is more useful than ever — stretching your Lone Star Card’s produce budget dollar for dollar while the restrictions narrow what you can spend benefits on in other categories.
For the full list of stores that accept your Lone Star Card for groceries, see our guide to grocery stores that take EBT. To see everything SNAP covers at the store, check our guide on surprising things you can buy with EBT. And to find out how much in SNAP benefits you may qualify for, use our SNAP Eligibility Calculator.
Last updated: 2026 | Discount programs, admission rates, and SNAP purchase restrictions are subject to change. Texas SNAP purchase restrictions effective April 1, 2026 per USDA FNS waiver approval. Verify current details with each venue or program before visiting. The Texas Lone Star Card is issued by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).