FoodShare: News for Members
Changes to the FoodShare work requirement in Wisconsin
When the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ was signed into law last year, it included an expansion of the federal work requirement for some FoodShare members.
- It expanded the age range of members affected from 18-54, to 18-64.
- It added parents whose only children at home are 14 and older.
Your local agency will check if you need to meet the work requirement at your next interview. If you need to meet the work requirement, you will get a letter in the mail after your interview from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS).
Learn more about meeting the work requirement for FoodShare.
Other news
Replacement benefits available
FoodShare members who lost food due to recent storms or power outages can request replacement benefits within 10 days of the food loss.
Log in to ACCESS (ACCESS in Spanish) and click “Food Benefits Replacement Request” in the left menu. You can call your agency to request them by phone, or submit a request by mail. | March 17, 2026
Change to QUEST card out-of-state spending
Starting March 1, 2026, the security settings on all QUEST cards will default to only allow spending in Wisconsin and the bordering states of Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota.
Members can still use their FoodShare in other states, they’ll just need to change the security settings on their card. | February 18, 2026
Complete your renewal to keep getting FoodShare
When you first applied for FoodShare, you told us about your household, such as your income and assets. We check that information to see if you can keep getting benefits.
This happens yearly for most people. You'll get a renewal letter in the mail about two weeks before your renewal month. It tells you what you need to do and the deadline. | February 2, 2026
Restart FoodShare by meeting a work requirement
Lost FoodShare due to not meeting the work requirement?
You can get benefits again by meeting the work requirement for 30 days, showing you will meet the work requirement in 30 days, having an exemption, or having good cause. You may need to reapply to get benefits again. | February 2, 2026
Additional support programs available
If you get FoodShare, you might also qualify for other types of help.
Check out some of the available programs for health care, housing and utilities, and prescription drugs. You can also explore additional food programs like school meals and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program for pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. | January 2, 2026
Cost of living adjustments applied to benefits
Starting with your October benefits, cost of living adjustments were made for all FoodShare members. Changes for monthly income limits, allotments, deductions, and allowances are reflected in your benefits.
These changes happen annually, and are based on the federal fiscal year. | January 2, 2026