Millions of people have been enjoying the convenience of e-commerce over the years. In the pandemic world, more people are taking advantage of online shopping. In all of this, Amazon quickly became the most popular online retailer in the world. With all the added benefits, many shoppers also opt for their premium membership. However, older and low-income shoppers are worried that they will not be able to pay a fixed income membership fee. You might be surprised to find that Amazon offers discounts to people in these situations. But what is the premium membership on Amazon?
What is Amazon Prime?
Amazon Prime is the name of a premium membership offered by Amazon that provides special benefits to subscribers. At an annual fee, members can get free shipping (including same-day choices in certain cities) as well as free shipping. They also have access to discounts for Prime Video, Amazon Music, Prime Gaming, Prime Reading, Amazon Photos and Whole Foods. However, one of the most attractive features is the extra savings on Golden Day and thousands of other exclusive deals.
It also adds convenience to the elderly. They can take advantage of the fast, free delivery of groceries to save time and their own hassle. Whole Foods shoppers will complete your order, and you can then choose to schedule two-hour delivery or one-hour in-store pickup. Amazon also offers many SNAP-eligible groceries to help low-income families get healthy food.
Additionally, seniors can quickly replenish medications by signing up for Amazon Pharmacy subscription. They can even take advantage of coupons that offer up to 30% off on the final bill.
What is the best Amazon membership for the elderly?
Although the cost is relatively high compared to other discount clubs to purchase, most people agree that this membership is a huge value for your money. Typically, if you pay the annual fee upfront, Amazon Premium Membership will cost $14.99 per month or $139 per year.
However, discount rates are available through the Prime Access plan. Seniors who are now receiving government assistance are now eligible for a discounted price of $6.99 per month. Families under 150% of federal poverty guidelines may also be eligible for primary access.
What qualifications do you need?
The good news is that there is no age limit to get discounts. But to get lower interest rates, older people must participate in primary access through one of the qualified government assistance programs or income verification. Remember, proof of qualification must be provided when registering. The following program will get you discounted when you submit an image of a benefit card or qualification letter:
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- Medicaid
- de (direct express delivery)
- Liheap (Low Income Family Energy Assistance Program)
- NSLP (National School Lunch Program)
- SNAP (Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program)
- SSI (Supplementary Safety Income)
- tanf (providing temporary assistance to families in need)
- TTANF (Tribal Aid)
- WIC (Women, Infants and Children Programs)
- Nap (Puerto Rico’s Nutrition Assistance Program)
Low-income older people who earn no more than 150% of the federal poverty guidelines may also be eligible for Prime Access. However, remember that AARP membership alone does not qualify you for discounts.
After verification of qualifications and registration, the discount can be up to 4 years.
How do you register?
To get a discount, you must create an Amazon account by entering your email and selecting your password. As long as the criteria are met, the current Prime member can also switch to the Prime Access program. The main access program is here.
Once you have signed up, go to the Accounts & Lists tab and select Prime Membership from the drop-down menu. When you search for all membership options, look for qualified government assistance buttons. Then select it to navigate to the Prime Access page.
You will see a yellow button to start a 30-day free trial. However, you need to provide proof of eligibility by directing you to participate in the government program or confirming your income.
Provide proof of qualification
Amazon says you can prove your qualification in one of two ways. You can verify or upload qualified documents immediately through third-party revenue estimates. If you choose the second option, you will need to provide a clear image of the benefits card or qualification letter. It must clearly display the expiration date or issuance date and the name of the beneficiary.
The interface looks like this:
After completing the qualification verification, you must enter the payment method, which will be charged after the trial is completed. Finally, select Continue to complete your application. By following some easy steps and providing all the necessary information, you will be able to enjoy Amazon Prime membership at a huge discount.
You need to requestion every 12 months for the primary visit eligibility every 12 months. But don’t worry about forgetting to re-upload your document, Amazon will send you an email to remind you that it’s time to do so.
What if you are not eligible?
If you are not eligible for Prime Access, there are other ways to save on Amazon membership. Some of them are:
- If you are not eligible for Prime access, it may be more cost-effective to pay annual Amazon Prime annual payments every month. If you pay monthly ($14.99), you pay $179.88 for the whole year. When you pay each year, the fee is $139, saving you $40.88 (here).
- Amazon Prime offers a 30-day free trial. Remember that once the trial is over, your membership will be automatically upgraded.
- Amazon allows people to share their primary accounts with their families. You can always ask family members who own Amazon to share an account with you.
- Any Amazon gift card can be used for major membership.
Finally, Prime students are another money-saving option for anyone in school. Individuals currently attending college (ages between 18 and 24 years old) may qualify for a discount rate of only $69 per year. Currently, students can get a free six-month trial for testing the service.
Do you think the best membership on Amazon is worth it? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Disclosure of Material Connections: Some of the links in this article are “affiliate links.” This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, SaveAdvice will receive a membership board. In any case, we only recommend products or services that we use personally and believe will add value to our readers. We disclose this according to the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR (Part 255): “Guidelines for use and proof in advertising.”
James Hendrickson is an internet entrepreneur, blogger junk, hunter and personal finance geek. You will find him in the outdoor activities in the Pacific Northwest when he is not lurking in the coffee shop in Portland, Oregon. James holds a Master of Sociology from University of Maryland Park University and a Bachelor of Sociology from Ellam College. He likes personal stocks, bonds and precious metals.
