What is Walmart+ Assist?
Walmart+ Assist is a program designed to make the standard Walmart+ membership more affordable for those who rely on government assistance programs. It offers all the benefits of a full-price Walmart+ membership at a 50% discounted rate. While there is no exclusive discount for seniors based on age, many older adults on a fixed income will find they meet the criteria for this valuable program. This means more affordable access to free grocery delivery, free shipping, fuel savings, and other perks.
Eligibility is Based on Government Assistance, Not Age
It's a common misconception that Walmart offers a special 'senior discount.' Instead, their assistance program is tied to enrollment in federal aid. An individual's age is not a factor for qualifying for Walmart+ Assist; the focus is on financial need as demonstrated by participation in certain government programs. This policy is consistent with Walmart's 'Everyday Low Price' strategy, which aims to provide value to all customers rather than offering periodic, age-based discounts. Many seniors naturally qualify due to their enrollment in programs like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Full List of Qualifying Government Programs
To be eligible for Walmart+ Assist, you must be a recipient of one of the following government assistance programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Also known as food stamps, this program helps low-income individuals purchase food.
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, healthcare referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five.
- Medicaid: A joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for some people with limited income and resources.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues, not Social Security taxes.
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Provides temporary financial assistance for pregnant women and families with one or more dependent children.
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF): Similar to TANF, but for federally recognized tribes.
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP): Operates in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions to provide nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day.
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Assists low-income households with their home energy needs.
- **Federal Public Housing Assistance
- **Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
- **Federal Pell Grant
- **Tribal Head Start
- **Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- **Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
How to Check Your Eligibility
Walmart has partnered with a third-party verification service called SheerID to confirm eligibility. The process is confidential and secure, ensuring your credit score and existing government benefits are not impacted. When you begin the application on Walmart's website, you will be redirected to the SheerID site to provide the necessary information.
What Benefits Do Walmart+ Assist Members Receive?
Despite the lower price, Walmart+ Assist members enjoy all the same benefits as those with a full-price membership. These perks are especially beneficial for seniors, offering convenience and savings on fixed incomes:
- Free Grocery Delivery from Your Store: Get fresh groceries and other items delivered from your local store for free on orders of $35 or more.
- Free Shipping with No Order Minimum: Receive online orders with free standard shipping, with no minimum purchase requirement.
- Member Prices on Fuel: Save 10 cents per gallon at participating Exxon and Mobil stations, and get member prices at Walmart, Sam's Club, and Murphy USA stations.
- Paramount+ Essential Subscription: Enjoy a free streaming subscription for entertainment.
- Mobile Scan & Go: Use the Walmart app to scan items and pay as you shop in-store for a contactless checkout experience.
- Early Access: Get a head start on special product releases and online sales, like Black Friday.
- Free Returns from Home: Schedule a pickup for returns right from your doorstep.
Comparison: Walmart+ Assist vs. Regular Walmart+
To better understand the value, here is a comparison of the two membership options:
| Feature | Walmart+ Assist | Regular Walmart+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (Monthly) | $6.47 | $12.95 |
| Cost (Annually) | $49 | $98 |
| Eligibility | Qualification for government assistance program (e.g., SNAP, Medicaid) | Open to all |
| Free Grocery Delivery | Yes ($35+ order) | Yes ($35+ order) |
| Free Shipping Online | Yes (no minimum) | Yes (no minimum) |
| Fuel Savings | Yes | Yes |
| Paramount+ Essential | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Scan & Go | Yes | Yes |
| Early Access to Deals | Yes | Yes |
The Application Process Step-by-Step
To secure a Walmart+ Assist membership, follow these simple steps:
- Visit the Official Walmart+ Assist Page: Go to the application portal on the Walmart website:
[Official Walmart+ Assist Page](https://www.walmart.com/plus/assist). If you are an existing member, you can also switch your plan here. - Log In or Create an Account: You'll need to sign in to your Walmart account or create a new one if you don't have one already.
- Verify Eligibility with SheerID: You will be redirected to the SheerID website, where you will complete a secure form to verify your eligibility for one of the qualifying government programs.
- Complete Your Enrollment: Once your eligibility is confirmed, you'll be sent back to Walmart's website to complete the sign-up process, choose your payment plan, and start your 30-day free trial.
What Happens if Your Verification Fails?
If you cannot provide acceptable proof of eligibility for the assistance programs, you will not be approved for Walmart+ Assist. In this case, you are still able to sign up for a standard Walmart+ membership at the regular price. It is important to note that Walmart+ automatically re-verifies your eligibility annually to ensure you still qualify for the discounted rate. If you no longer qualify, your membership will auto-renew at the regular price.
Conclusion
While there is no age-based senior discount for Walmart+, the Walmart+ Assist program provides a substantial 50% discount on membership to individuals on specific government assistance programs. This makes the program a highly accessible and valuable option for many seniors on a fixed income, offering savings on everyday essentials, free delivery, and other convenient perks. By checking your eligibility through programs like SNAP or Medicaid, you can take advantage of all the benefits at a fraction of the cost.
