Wisconsin Ag Connection - FoodShare Members Shouldn't be Concerned About Benefit Letters

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FoodShare Members Shouldn't be Concerned About Benefit Letters
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 01/21/2019

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says FoodShare members should be aware that some letters they receive will say they are getting no benefits in March due to the federal government shutdown. But the agency says its top priority is to ensure the needs of Wisconsin residents are met, and to share information with members, partners, and stakeholders as the situation evolves.

"DHS continues to work with the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to understand the impacts the shutdown may have on March benefits," the DHS stated in a press release. "As FoodShare benefits are 100 percent federally funded, those benefits have not been guaranteed."

The letters are automatically generated as part of normal system processing, and represent the current scenario of no federal funding for FoodShare in March. They will include the following note, whether the applicant or member is enrolled in FoodShare or not: If you have applied or are enrolled in FoodShare, your benefits may be impacted by the federal government shutdown. This means you may get a $0.00 benefit in any month until the shutdown ends. You cannot ask for a fair hearing for this change.

DHS is working with FNS, as well as other federal and state agencies to explore options for funding benefits in March. They will notify members when we receive additional information about funding availability.

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