FoodShare: Quality Control Reviews
When the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) reviews FoodShare cases to make sure that members are getting the benefits they’re eligible for, we call that FoodShare quality control. We select a random group of cases to look at. We check to see that the information on file is accurate and that local agencies made the right benefit decision. These reviews ensure that all FoodShare members are treated fairly.
Here's how it works
Contact us
Were you contacted about participating in this process? Have questions? Need help scheduling an appointment? Email the DHSFSQC@dhs.wisconsin.gov for help.
- We’ll send you a letter if your case is selected. You’ll need to contact the person listed in the letter to schedule an interview. If they don’t hear from you, they’ll call you to set up a time to talk.
- You are required by law to participate in the quality review. You could lose your FoodShare benefits if you don’t.
- During the interview, we will ask you about the people living in your home, as well as your income, expenses, and other details. We may ask you for copies of documents to confirm your information.
- We will look at the information we collect from you and make sure your local agency issued your benefits correctly.
- If errors are found during our review, then you will get a letter letting you know if your benefits will change. The letter will be sent in your preferred format (by mail or electronically). We’ll also report any errors to our federal partner, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
- You have the right to appeal any change in benefits that happen because of the quality control review. You can also appeal any sanctions you are given if you did not participate. We will include instructions about how to appeal in either of these situations in the letters we send.
Frequently asked questions
All cases to be reviewed are randomly selected. When we picked your case, it was not because of something that you did or did not do.
When you call the person listed in your letter, you can schedule an appointment at a time and date that’s right for you. Usually they are done over the phone, but you can ask for an in-person interview if you want.
If you don’t call in to schedule, someone will call you. If they can’t reach you, they will schedule an appointment and send you a notice with the date and time. If you can't make it, you’ll need to call to reschedule. Again, remember that if you do not participate in the quality control process when we contact you, you could lose your benefits.
We will ask you questions about the people who live with you, your income and expenses, and other details. We may need to ask you to sign a release of information form. This lets us get documents from other sources, such as banks, landlords, or employers to confirm the information you tell us. We may also ask for copies of documents, like bank statements or pay stubs.
Issues are rare, but they can happen. If so, you will be sent a letter about any change in benefits. It will be delivered by mail or electronically, depending on what you selected when you signed up for FoodShare.
Federal law requires that you participate in this review to keep getting FoodShare. If you do not do the interview or give the information you’re asked for, your benefits could end.
Maybe. Since the process is random, your case could be selected again. Some cases are also reviewed by our federal partners. Reviewers will contact you whenever your case is selected.
Yes. It will only be seen and used by authorized staff to check that your agency made the right decision.
More information
Resources
Information About FoodShare Quality Control Reviews, P-16000
USDA FNS quality control webpages
Navigating SNAP Quality Control: A Guide for SNAP Recipients
Note: FoodShare is also known as SNAP.
Equal opportunity information
Get the USDA nondiscrimination statement on the Your Rights webpage, along with other nondiscrimination information.