(BPT) - Amazon recently introduced Amazon Access, a new hub for customers to explore programs, discounts, and features that make shopping on Amazon even easier and more affordable. With the tough economic climate, and many facing rising costs on essential needs, Amazon is introducing even more accessible offerings on its site for all customers, no matter their circumstances.

Here's how you can start saving today using Amazon Access:

1. Register your SNAP EBT benefits. Did you know that Amazon was one of the first retailers to launch SNAP online purchasing? Amazon has expanded its reach to 99.7% of U.S. SNAP households with one or more SNAP online purchasing option, and customers with a valid SNAP EBT card in all states, except Alaska, can use their SNAP funds to order eligible groceries online from Amazon.com, Whole Foods Market, and Amazon Fresh.
2. Enroll in Prime Access. Qualifying government assistance recipients in the U.S. can enjoy all the benefits and perks of a Prime membership for $6.99 a month - more than 50% off the cost of a full-priced membership. That includes fast, free delivery; unlimited streaming of movies and series like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and live sports like Thursday Night Football with Prime Video; ad-free access to millions of songs and thousands of podcasts with Amazon Music; free games with Prime Gaming; more than 3,000 books and magazines with Prime Reading; exclusive perks like a free, one-year Grubhub+ membership trial; unlimited photo storage with Amazon Photos; and more.
3. Reserve select items with Amazon Layaway year-round. That's right - Layaway isn't just for the holiday season. Customers can shop thousands of items with no credit check, interest, or fees, and pay 20% of the total cost of the selected items to lock in the price. You'll have up to eight weeks to pay off the items in full, and then enjoy that fast, free shipping Amazon customers know and love. Shop everything from Beats headphones to Black + Decker vacuums and across categories like furniture, baby, toys, and lawn & garden.