Amazon offers Prime to low- income patrons
Nearly 50% discount could help online giant stave off charges of elitism
“We welcome any move that eases the burden on struggling low- income families.” Marc Morial, National Urban League president and CEO
Amazon is launching a program making its Prime service available at nearly 50% off the monthly rate for people getting certain types of government assistance.
The new program gives Amazon the chance to expose a broader swath of Americans to the benefits of its Prime membership, people who might become full- paying customers in time. Most recipients of government assistance spend fewer than four years getting such benefits, according to the U. S. Census.
It also gives the Seattle- based company ammunition against accusations of elitism as it becomes an ever- larger part of Americans’ buying options.
It is available to Americans with a valid Electronic Benefit Transfer card, used to disburse funds for several government assistance programs including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families ( TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( SNAP) and Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program ( WIC).
The new program allows eligible customers to get Amazon’s Prime membership for $ 5.99 a month, a savings of 46% off the normal $ 10.99 a month rate. For those paying yearly, it’s somewhat less of a bargain. The normal Amazon Prime yearly rate is $ 99; the program rate works out to $ 72 per year, a 29% savings.
Customers have the ability to cancel at any time.
Prime membership can be especially valuable to those living in areas without access to easy transportation or shopping because it offers unlimited free shipping on a broad array of items. In addition, membership makes free movies and TV shows available via Prime Video, free music via Prime Music, unlimited photo stores on Prime Photos and free e- books and magazines on Prime Reading.
It doesn’tmake fresh food more available to people living in urban areas with no grocery or supermarkets. Amazon’s grocery delivery service, Amazon Fresh, requires an additional $ 14.99 a month, and orders less than $ 40 still require a $ 10 delivery fee. Even with that limitation, some organizations advocating for low- income communities said Amazon wasmaking a good first step.
“We welcome anymove that eases the burden on struggling low- income families,” National Urban League president and CEO Marc Morial said. “The delivery component is particularly welcome because so many low- income families lack transportation, which further limits their shopping options.”
Amazon is scheduled to become part of a test program later this year by the Department of Agriculture that will allow customers to use food stamps, now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.