Amazon is now offering Amazon Prime subscriptions at a discounted rate for anyone receiving government assistance. So, having persuaded enough Americans on high- and middle-incomes to sign up for Prime, Amazon is now going after Americans earning less than the average. Bold strategy.

The United States is a rich country. However, there's a huge gap between the rich and the poor. At one end of the scale are billionaires like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, and at the other end are people who are struggling to get by. Amazon, whose founder and CEO Jeff Bezos is worth $85 billion, is now reaching out to the lowest earners. Because everyone deserves Amazon Prime.

Amazon Prime Is Great Value for Money

In the U.S., Amazon Prime costs $99-per-year or $10.99-per-month. This buys you free two-day shipping on most items, access to Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Photos, and the Kindle Owners' Lending Library, among other things. This represents great value for money, but only if you can actually afford Amazon Prime in the first place.

To help those on low incomes, Amazon is now offering Prime for $5.99-per-month to anyone on government assistance. All you'll need is a valid Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT), which is used to disburse funds for a number of programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Millions of Americans currently make use of government assistance programs for a number of different reasons. And all of them will now be able to get Amazon Prime for almost 50 percent less than usual. The discount has to be applied for once every year for up to four years.

Greg Greeley, Vice President of Amazon Prime, said, "We know when people try Prime they love it, because they save time and money with low prices on millions of items, unlimited access to premium videos and music, and fast, convenient delivery. We designed this membership option for customers receiving government assistance to make our everyday selection and savings more accessible, including the many conveniences and entertainment benefits of Prime."

Everyone Wins, Including Amazon

While this should be seen as a nice gesture for families on low income, Amazon isn't being completely selfless here. The company will now be making some money from people who weren't previously shopping on Amazon. What's more, they'll be drawn into the Amazon ecosystem, get used to the associated benefits of Amazon Prime, and possibly be tempted to purchase Amazon hardware.

Do you shop on Amazon? And have an Amazon Prime subscription? Do you think Amazon Prime represents good value for money? Would you pay for Amazon Prime if it was cheaper? What do you think of Amazon giving discounts to people on welfare? Please let us know in the comments below!

Image Credit: Stephen Woods via Flickr