Your Virginia EBT card opens doors well beyond the grocery store. In 2026, Virginia Food Stamps recipients can access free or deeply discounted admission at the Mariners’ Museum, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Science Museum of Virginia, Children’s Museum of Richmond, Virginia Air & Space Science Center, Maymont, Edgar Allan Poe Museum, and dozens of additional museums, historic sites, and cultural institutions across the state.
Your EBT card also qualifies you for half-price Amazon Prime, a dollar-for-dollar produce match through Virginia Fresh Match at participating farmers markets, Lifeline phone discounts, Summer EBT for children, and energy bill assistance.
This is the complete guide to every EBT discount available to Virginia residents in 2026, organized by region and program.
A Note on Virginia’s SNAP Program
Virginia’s SNAP program is administered by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS). Benefits are loaded monthly onto your Virginia EBT card. When museums and venues ask to see your “SNAP card” or “EBT card,” your Virginia EBT card is what you present.
At most Virginia venues, you show your EBT card and a valid photo ID at the ticket window to access the discounted rate. The EBT card is used only to verify SNAP enrollment — you pay any admission price separately with cash, debit, or credit card. Your EBT balance cannot be used to pay for admission.
Most Museums for All participants in Virginia accept EBT cards from any state. Venues that require a Virginia EBT card specifically are noted below. WIC cards are accepted in place of the SNAP EBT card at most participating Virginia institutions.
Amazon Prime — Half Price for Virginia SNAP Recipients
Virginia Food Stamps recipients qualify for Amazon Prime at $6.99 per month — less than half the standard $14.99 monthly rate. The membership includes free two-day shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Reading, and the ability to shop SNAP-eligible groceries through Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods pickup and delivery in qualifying Virginia ZIP codes.
Sign up for discounted Amazon Prime here — verify your SNAP enrollment by uploading a photo of your Virginia EBT card or a recent benefit letter. A credit or debit card is required as a backup payment method. The $6.99 fee cannot be charged to your EBT card balance. A free 30-day trial is available if you have never had Amazon Prime before.
Virginia Fresh Match — Double Your Produce at Farmers Markets and Stores
Virginia Fresh Match (VFM) is Virginia’s statewide produce incentive program, operated by LEAP (Local Environmental Agriculture Project). Virginia does not participate in the national Double Up Food Bucks network — Virginia Fresh Match is the state’s equivalent program for matching SNAP spending on locally grown fruits and vegetables.
At participating farmers markets: Visit the market information table before you start shopping. Tell the market staff how much SNAP you want to spend. Swipe your EBT card and enter your PIN — just like at a grocery store. You will receive tokens or vouchers worth double the amount you charged. Spend $10 from your SNAP balance and receive $20 in Virginia Fresh Match tokens — twice your spending power on fresh, locally grown produce. Many markets match up to $20 per visit.
At participating grocery stores, co-ops, and mobile markets: Tell the cashier you are paying with SNAP/EBT. They will automatically apply a 50% discount on fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables at checkout. Participating grocery store locations include Friendly City Food Co-op in Harrisonburg, Roanoke Co+op, and The Market at 25th in Richmond.
No registration is required. Just bring your Virginia EBT card to any participating Virginia Fresh Match location. Find the interactive map of participating farmers markets, mobile markets, farm stores, and grocery stores at virginiafreshmatch.org.
Richmond — Museums, Botanical Gardens, and Historic Sites
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (Richmond) — $1 per adult (age 18 and older) and free admission for up to six children age 17 and under, with a Virginia EBT card. Show your SNAP card and photo ID at the Baker Hall Visitor Center front desk when purchasing tickets. Museums for All memberships can also be purchased in person at the front desk at a discounted rate equivalent to a Garden Family membership. The Gardens span 82 acres in Richmond’s Lakeside neighborhood, featuring a grand Victorian-era glass conservatory, a children’s garden, rose garden, healing garden, and wetland boardwalk — one of the most beautiful public gardens in the mid-Atlantic.
Children’s Museum of Richmond — $2 per person for up to six people, with an EBT, P-EBT, EBT App, or WIC card. This is one of the few Virginia institutions that explicitly accepts P-EBT cards in addition to regular SNAP EBT. Use the code “MFA” at checkout to reserve tickets online in advance — you will need to present your card upon arrival. Museums for All cannot be combined with any other offer, discount, or membership. The Children’s Museum of Richmond operates multiple locations; verify which location is closest to you before booking.
Science Museum of Virginia (Richmond) — Reduced admission of $3 or less per person for EBT cardholders through the Museums for All program. Tickets must be purchased in person at Guest Services — online purchase is not available for the Museums for All rate. To qualify, bring your physical SNAP card plus a valid photo ID. The Science Museum of Virginia’s Museums for All policy requires verification using materials issued by a Virginia government agency — meaning a Virginia EBT card is required; out-of-state cards may not be accepted at this location. The Science Museum also offers discounted annual memberships for SNAP cardholders, available in person at Guest Services. Dome shows and select traveling exhibitions require separate tickets.
Maymont (Richmond) — Free admission for the EBT cardholder and up to three guests at the Robins Nature Center and the Maymont Mansion, with an EBT card. Admission to the Maymont grounds is always free for everyone — no EBT card needed for the gardens, farm, and outdoor areas. Note: The Maymont Mansion is currently undergoing renovations and was expected to reopen in early 2026 for the mansion’s 100th anniversary. Confirm current status at maymont.org before visiting.
Edgar Allan Poe Museum (Richmond) — Free admission for SNAP/EBT cardholders. The Edgar Allan Poe Museum houses the largest collection of Poe artifacts and memorabilia in the world, including Poe’s boyhood bed, a lock of his hair, personal correspondence, and items from the major events of his life. Located in Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom neighborhood in a building constructed around 1737 — the oldest structure in Richmond.
Virginia Museum of History and Culture (Richmond) — Verify current EBT admission rate through Museums for All at museums4all.org. Virginia’s official history museum, holding more than nine million objects spanning more than 10,000 years of Virginia history.
Hampton Roads — Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach
Hampton Roads has one of the most concentrated clusters of Museums for All participants in Virginia, with standout discounts at the Mariners’ Museum and the Virginia Air & Space Science Center.
Mariners’ Museum and Park (Newport News) — $1 per person, every day, for EBT cardholders. The Mariners’ Museum is one of the largest maritime museums in the world, home to the recovered remains of the Civil War ironclad USS Monitor — including the iconic rotating gun turret — along with 35,000 maritime artifacts, figureheads, ship models, and a nationally significant research library. Admission is $1 per person regardless of the size of your group. The adjoining Noland Trail, a 5-mile paved walking loop around the museum’s lake and forested park, is always free to everyone.
Virginia Air & Space Science Center (Hampton) — $2 per person for up to four people with an EBT card. Extra fees are required for IMAX films and the MAXFlight flight simulator — the $2 Museums for All rate covers exhibit admission only. A discounted Family Membership for $25 can also be purchased in person with an EBT card; the Family Membership includes IMAX passes for the family. The Virginia Air & Space Science Center is the official visitor center for NASA Langley Research Center and houses authentic Apollo-era spacecraft, suspended aircraft, and interactive aerospace exhibits. Located on Settler’s Landing Road along the Hampton waterfront.
Virginia Living Museum (Newport News) — $5 or less per person through the Museums for All program. A one-of-a-kind institution combining a wildlife park, botanical preserve, aquarium, and planetarium. Outdoor boardwalks lead visitors through live habitats with native Virginia wildlife — otters, bald eagles, loggerhead sea turtles, white-tailed deer, and red wolves. The indoor planetarium, aquarium exhibits, and the butterfly house round out a full-day experience. Verify the current EBT rate before visiting at thevlm.org.
Nauticus and Battleship Wisconsin (Norfolk) — $5 or less per person through the Museums for All program. Nauticus is Norfolk’s maritime discovery center along the downtown waterfront. Admission to Nauticus includes a self-guided tour of the Battleship Wisconsin — one of the largest and last battleships ever built by the U.S. Navy, berthed permanently at Nauticus. The Wisconsin is 887 feet long and served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Gulf War. Verify the current EBT rate before visiting at nauticus.org.
Hunter House Victorian Museum (Norfolk) — Free admission for EBT cardholders. A beautifully preserved Victorian-era townhouse in Norfolk’s historic Freemason neighborhood, furnished with period antiques, artwork, and objects from the Hunter family’s collection. Features rotating exhibitions throughout the year, all within the historic house. Verify current operating hours before visiting.
Children’s Museum of Virginia (Portsmouth) — Discounted Museums for All admission. Virginia’s oldest and largest children’s museum, featuring more than 80 hands-on exhibits across three floors in a historic building in downtown Portsmouth. Verify the current EBT rate before visiting.
Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art / Virginia MOCA (Virginia Beach) — Discounted Museums for All admission. Note: Virginia MOCA is currently in the process of moving to a new location. New ticket and admissions information will be available once the move is complete. Check virginiamoca.org for current status before visiting.
Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center (Virginia Beach) — Verify current EBT admission through Museums for All at museums4all.org. One of Virginia’s premier aquariums, featuring more than 800,000 gallons of aquatic habitats, touch pools, a marsh boardwalk, sea turtle exhibits, and a 3D IMAX theater.
Northern Virginia — Science Centers and Cultural Venues
Children’s Science Center Lab at Fair Oaks Mall (Fairfax) — Discounted Museums for All admission. The Children’s Science Center Lab also accepts Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) cards in addition to regular SNAP EBT cards for the Museums for All rate. The Lab is a hands-on science center for families inside Fair Oaks Mall. The permanent Northern Virginia Science Center is currently under development in Dulles. Verify the current EBT rate at childsci.org.
Capital Bikeshare (Arlington only) — A discounted Capital Bikeshare annual membership is available for $5 per year — compared to the standard $120 per year — for low-income Arlington residents. SNAP enrollment is one of the primary qualifying credentials. The $5 membership provides unlimited 30-minute rides throughout the Capital Bikeshare system in Arlington, Washington D.C., and surrounding jurisdictions. This discount is available to Arlington residents only. You must sign up through one of the designated community partner organizations in Arlington to qualify. Visit the Capital Bikeshare website for a current list of qualifying Arlington community partners.
Roanoke — Free and Deeply Discounted Museums
Roanoke has a remarkable concentration of Museums for All participants, including the only venue in Virginia where EBT cardholders and their entire household receive free admission.
Science Museum of Western Virginia (Roanoke) — Free admission for EBT and WIC cardholders and every member of their household. Bring your card and a valid photo ID — free entry is available any day the museum is open. The Science Museum of Western Virginia is one of the most generous EBT admission policies in the state, extending the free benefit to the entire household rather than the standard limit of four people. The museum features hands-on science exhibits on the natural world, physical science, and technology.
Taubman Museum of Art (Roanoke) — Always free for everyone, every day. No EBT card needed — general admission is free to all visitors year-round. The Taubman’s distinctive Frank Gehry-inspired building is an architectural landmark in downtown Roanoke, with a permanent collection and rotating national traveling exhibitions.
Roanoke History & O. Winston Link Museum (Roanoke) — $3 per adult with an EBT card; children under age 17 are always free regardless of EBT status, and do not count toward the adult cap. Free admission is also available to all local visitors on the second Saturday of each month — no EBT card required on those days. The O. Winston Link Museum is dedicated to the legendary photographer’s iconic black-and-white documentation of the final era of steam locomotives on the Norfolk and Western Railway. The adjacent Roanoke History museum explores the industrial, cultural, and community history of the Roanoke Valley.
Statewide — Library Museum Passes
Many Virginia public library systems partner with local museums and attractions to offer free or discounted admission passes that can be checked out with a library card. The Richmond Public Library, Henrico, Chesterfield, and other systems offer passes to the Science Museum of Virginia, Maymont, and other venues. The Williamsburg Regional Library offers a free pass for up to six visitors to the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk.
If you have a library card, ask your local library about available museum pass programs — these can be combined with or used as an alternative to the Museums for All EBT discount.
Phone Service — Lifeline
Virginia SNAP recipients 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 providers in Virginia offer unlimited talk and text plans for free or at very low cost for qualifying households, with some carriers including a free smartphone for new enrollees. Visit lifelinesupport.org to find participating Virginia providers and apply.
Internet Service — Discounted Broadband Plans
SNAP enrollment qualifies Virginia households for discounted home internet through several national providers. Comcast Xfinity Internet Essentials, AT&T Access, and other carriers offer reduced-cost plans to qualifying low-income households. Contact your current or prospective internet provider and ask about income-based or SNAP-qualifying plans — your Virginia EBT card is typically the primary qualifying credential.
Summer EBT — Virginia SUN Bucks for Children
Virginia participates in the SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) program, which provides $120 per eligible child per summer loaded onto an EBT card for grocery purchases when school meals are unavailable. The program is available to school-age children who receive free or reduced-price school meals during the school year. Most Virginia SNAP households with eligible children are enrolled automatically. Keep the SUN Bucks card — it may be reloaded in future summers. For questions, contact your local VDSS office or call the Virginia SNAP hotline at 1-800-552-3431.
Free School Meals for Children
Virginia SNAP households automatically qualify their school-age children for free school meals through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Virginia uses direct certification — you typically do not need to file a separate free and reduced meals application if your household already receives Food Stamps through VDSS.
Energy Bill Assistance — LIHEAP
Virginia SNAP households automatically qualify for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps pay heating and cooling costs. In Virginia, LIHEAP is administered through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and local community action agencies. Funding is seasonal and limited — apply early in the heating or cooling season. Dial 211 to find the nearest LIHEAP program in your area.
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 on orders of $35 or more, free shipping on Walmart.com, and Paramount+ streaming. Walmart accepts Virginia SNAP EBT for online grocery pickup and delivery at participating Virginia store locations.
Instacart+ is available to EBT cardholders who have placed at least one SNAP order on Instacart within the past six months for $4.99 per month for the first year. Instacart accepts Virginia SNAP EBT for grocery orders at participating retailers including Giant, Harris Teeter, Aldi, Kroger, Costco, and others.
YMCA — Reduced Membership Rates
Many YMCA locations in Virginia offer reduced or sliding-scale membership rates for SNAP recipients and low-income households. Discount levels vary by location. Contact your nearest Virginia YMCA directly to ask about income-based membership pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What discounts can I get with a Virginia EBT card?
Virginia SNAP cardholders can access free or reduced admission at the Mariners’ Museum ($1/person every day), Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden ($1 adults, free children under 18, up to 6 total), Science Museum of Virginia ($3 or less, Virginia EBT required), Children’s Museum of Richmond ($2/person, up to 6), Edgar Allan Poe Museum (free), Virginia Air & Space Science Center ($2/person, up to 4), and dozens of additional museums across the state. Your Virginia EBT card also qualifies you for half-price Amazon Prime at $6.99 per month, dollar-for-dollar produce matching through Virginia Fresh Match at participating farmers markets, Lifeline phone discounts, Summer EBT ($120 per eligible child), free school meals, and energy bill assistance through LIHEAP.
What is Virginia Fresh Match?
Virginia Fresh Match (VFM) is Virginia’s statewide produce incentive program. At participating farmers markets, you swipe your EBT card at the information table and receive tokens worth double the amount — spend $10 and get $20 in tokens for locally grown produce. At participating grocery stores and co-ops, SNAP shoppers receive a 50% discount on fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables at checkout. Virginia does not participate in the national Double Up Food Bucks network — Virginia Fresh Match is the state’s equivalent. Find participating locations at virginiafreshmatch.org.
Is the Mariners’ Museum really only $1 with an EBT card?
Yes. The Mariners’ Museum in Newport News charges $1 per person for EBT cardholders, with no stated cap on the number of people. The $1 rate applies every day the museum is open and covers the full museum experience including the USS Monitor collection. The adjacent Noland Trail is always free to everyone regardless of EBT status.
Can I use an out-of-state EBT card at Virginia museums?
Most Museums for All participants in Virginia accept EBT cards from any state — including Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, the Children’s Museum of Richmond, the Mariners’ Museum, Virginia Air & Space Science Center, and the Roanoke cluster. The main exception is the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond, which requires verification using documentation issued by a Virginia government agency — meaning a Virginia EBT card is required at that location.
Is the Science Museum of Western Virginia really free with an EBT card?
Yes. The Science Museum of Western Virginia in Roanoke offers free admission for EBT and WIC cardholders and every member of their household — one of the most generous EBT admission policies in the state. Bring your card and a valid photo ID. Free admission is available any day the museum is open.
Is Capital Bikeshare discounted for Virginia SNAP recipients?
The $5 per year Capital Bikeshare discount is available to Arlington residents only — it is not available statewide. SNAP enrollment is a qualifying credential, but you must be an Arlington resident and sign up through a designated Arlington community partner organization. If you live in Arlington, visit the Capital Bikeshare website for the current list of qualifying community partners.
How do I get Amazon Prime at half price with my Virginia EBT card?
Sign up at Amazon’s SNAP discount page and upload a photo of your Virginia EBT card or a recent benefit letter to verify SNAP enrollment. The discounted rate is $6.99 per month. A credit or debit card is required as a backup payment method. A free 30-day trial is available for first-time Prime members. The $6.99 monthly fee cannot be charged to your EBT card balance.
What is the Virginia SNAP hotline?
The Virginia SNAP hotline is 1-800-552-3431. You can call for help applying for or renewing Food Stamps benefits, reporting changes to your household, or finding your local VDSS office. Benefits are deposited onto Virginia EBT cards from the 1st through the 9th of each month, based on the last digit of your case number.
Bottom Line
Virginia’s standout EBT deal is the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News — $1 per person with no group-size cap, every single day. The Science Museum of Western Virginia in Roanoke goes even further, offering free admission to the cardholder’s entire household with no per-person limit and no advance reservation required.
Virginia Fresh Match is the highest day-to-day value EBT perk for most Virginia SNAP households. Spending $10 in SNAP at a participating farmers market gets you $20 in tokens for fresh, locally grown Virginia produce. Find your nearest participating location at virginiafreshmatch.org.
Half-price Amazon Prime is available immediately to any Virginia SNAP recipient. Sign up here to start saving on shipping and groceries right away.
For the full list of stores that accept your Virginia EBT card for groceries, see our guide to grocery stores that take EBT. To see everything SNAP covers beyond the basics, check our guide on surprising things you can buy with EBT. And to find out how much in Food Stamps you may qualify for, use our SNAP Eligibility Calculator.
Last updated: 2026 | Discount programs, admission rates, and eligibility requirements are subject to change. Verify current details with each venue or program before visiting. Virginia SNAP (Food Stamps) is administered by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS). Virginia SNAP hotline: 1-800-552-3431.