FoodShare Resources

How to Apply
FoodShare FAQs
Work Requirements
Summer EBT

Food is a Human Right.

FoodShare is a federal program and Wisconsin’s first line of defense against hunger. Funded 100% by the USDA, FoodShare is an entitlement program, meaning it assists people who have low incomes and difficulty affording food to get monthly help to make ends meet.

FoodShare provides food buying power at the grocery store through an EBT card called Quest. Eligibility is based on household income, size and shelter costs. You can apply online, over the phone, by mail or receive in-person help.

Apply For FoodShare

The application will open in a new window through the State of Wisconsin website.

Stay Up-to-Date With FoodShare News and Updates!

Stay informed to make the most of your benefits. Keep up with important updates, policy changes and news related to FoodShare and Summer EBT benefits.

FoodShare News and Updates

1) Receive Assistance In-Person

You can apply over the telephone, using a computer, by mail or by visiting either the traditional welfare office or one of our self-help centers. Hunger Task Force staff can help you by providing fast and friendly care!

HOURS : 8:00a  – 4:30p | Monday – Friday

All Hunger Task Force services are free. Connect one-on-one with our FoodShare Advocates to apply for benefits in about 15 minutes. Our team serves tens of thousands of people every year, both in-person and over the phone.

Hunger Task Force staff speak English, Spanish, Hmong, Lao, Karen, Burmese, Pashto and Dari.

2) Apply For & Manage Benefits Online

You can apply for FoodShare, manage your case, check your balance and submit documents online at access.wisconsin.gov. If you are unemployed, we encourage you to apply for both Unemployment and FoodShare.

You can apply online, complete your eligibility interview over the phone and use the MyACCESS app on your smart phone to upload required proof called “verification” and manage benefits.

TWO LOCATIONS, NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED!

Alicia’s Place FoodShare Resource Center

4144 N. 56th Street, Midtown Center

414.988.6501

8:00a  – 4:30p | Monday – Friday

Location Map

Southside Community Resource Center

802 W. Historic Mitchell Street

414.238.6484

8:00a  – 4:30p | Monday – Friday

Location Map

See If You Can Get Help!

Answer a few questions to learn which programs may be able to help you.

Wisconsin has many different programs that can help you with health care coverage, paying for food or child care costs, finding a job, and more.

Start Answering Questions

The questionaire will open in a new window through the State of Wisconsin website.

Frequently Asked FoodShare Questions

With high unemployment, many people need emergency food.

Federal nutrition programs can help meet the need during times like these. Our federal and state governments have improved food programs and made it easier to help you keep putting food on the table.

How do I know if I qualify?

The best way to find out is to apply. Visit www.ACCESS.wisconsin.gov to apply. FoodShare is available for most low-income families.

Lost your job or work hours?

You could qualify for a program called FoodShare (formerly known as food stamps). FoodShare provides you with an EBT card that is preloaded with money for groceries every month! You can use it most places you buy food, and it’s protected with a secure PIN unique to you. (Your card works for groceries but cannot be used at restaurants or to buy hot food items in-store.)

How much can I get in FoodShare each month?

The most that you can receive is $291/month for one person, $535/month for a two-person household, and increases for larger size households [effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024.] Amounts can change every October 1.

How long does it take to complete this process?

It depends on the size of your family or household, but most applications can be finished in 15-20 minutes. Most new applicants need to also do an interview, which can be done over the phone and can take about 30 minutes, but wait times could be longer. If you live in Milwaukee County call 888-947-6583 or 711 (TTY).

What else should I know about applying online?

If you make a mistake, don’t worry! But don’t hit the back button. Just keep going until you get to the section summary and you can make edits then. Before you exit the application, write down your tracking number. It will be needed during your interview.

I finished the application. What’s next?

The FoodShare program requires an interview that can be done over the phone. You can call your agency after you’ve completed the application. If you live in Milwaukee County call 888-947-6583 or 711 (TTY).

My phone interview is done. Now what?

If you are eligible and have received FoodShare before and have your old QUEST card, your benefits will load to that card. If you’ve never had FoodShare, everything should come in the mail, which will be within 30 days of completing the interview.

If you HAVE had a case in the past and don’t have your card anymore, call to get your QUEST card mailed out. Dial 877-415-5164 to request one – it only takes a minute!

Can I get FoodShare faster?

If you have little or no income, your case could be expedited and you’ll receive benefits sooner, within 7 days.

How do I submit paperwork?

At this time, you should probably download the MyACCESS mobile app. MyACCESS makes it easy to upload documents or check your status. You can download the app from the Apple App Store or get it on Google Play. You can also fax or mail in paperwork.

Milwaukee Enrollment Services (MiLES):

Phone: 1-888-947-6583

Fax: (414) 438-4580

Mail: PO Box 05676, Milwaukee, WI 53205-0676

 

*Having trouble accessing your account through MyACCESS? Give ForwardHealth Customer Service Line a call: 1-800-362-3002.

Lost or damaged QUEST card?

If you lost your QUEST card or it is damaged, you can call QUEST Card Customer Service at 877-415-5164 to order a replacement (note that it may take up to 10 days to arrive by mail). If you need a QUEST card immediately, you may be eligible for a temporary card. Temporary cards are only available at two locations and you must present a valid picture ID: UMOS (2701 S. Chase Ave.) or Milwaukee Enrollment Services (6055 N. 64th St).

How can I replace food lost during a flood, fire or power outage?

Current FoodShare members who lose food purchased with FoodShare benefits due to a flood, a fire, or other household misfortune, can request the replacement benefits from the State. Per the FoodShare handbook, a loss of power for four (4) hours or more can qualify as a household misfortune.

Members should fill out the Request for Replacement FoodShare Benefits form and submit it to their local agency online, by fax, by mail or in-person. The form must be submitted no more than ten (10) days after the incident. Households will be asked to describe how food was destroyed and will be requested to provide documented proof. In the case of a power outage, members must include a letter from their utility company confirming that there was a power outage, as well as the duration of that outage. This letter should be submitted with the Request for Replacement FoodShare Benefits form.

If you have questions about applying for replacement FoodShare benefits, or about the status of your request, contact your local income maintenance agency.

Can I purchase food online?

Find a full list of stores accepting SNAP on the >>USDA website.

What else should I know?

You have rights! Disagree with a decision? Other questions or concerns? Check out a full list of your rights here.  If you want to file a fair hearing, you have a right to do so and can contact Legal Action for help at www.legalaction.org.

You can apply in a language that you understand! The website is only available in Spanish and English, but you can call your local agency and complete the process in your preferred language.

Help For Seniors

Hunger Task Force helps connect low- income seniors to programs that provide access to healthy foods.

Help for Seniors

Help For Children

In Wisconsin, 1 in 8 children face hunger. Participation in child nutrition programs has been found to reduce food insecurity.

Help for Children

Help For Individuals

Hunger Task Force helps connect low-income individuals to programs that provide access to healthy foods.

Help for Individuals

Tips for protecting your FoodShare benefits:

    • Monitor account balances on the MyACCESS mobile app or ebtEDGE website or mobile app.
    • Add or change optional account passwords to limit unauthorized access.
    • Do not share account passwords and PINs with anyone who is not part of your household.
    • Create unique account passwords and PINs.
    • Avoid using email addresses and the names of family members and pets for passwords.
    • Avoid using your birth date and year, as well as repeating numbers, such as 1111, numbers in a row, like 2345, and numbers that follow a pattern, like 1212, for PINs.​
    • Temporarily freeze QUEST cards between uses by using the ebtEDGE website or mobile app. When members need to purchase food, they will need to unfreeze their cards using the ebtEDGE website or mobile app. This helps prevent unauthorized benefit use.
    • Block out-of-state and online purchases. Members can turn off this feature before traveling out of state or shopping for groceries online.
    • Confirm that an email or text about your FoodShare benefits is from DHS, not a scammer. DHS sends official FoodShare texts from 94347 (WI DHS) and emails from [email protected]. DHS FoodShare texts and emails never ask members for personal information, such as a birthday or Social Security number, or financial information, like a bank account or credit card number. DHS does not offer prizes or money to members for responding to these texts and emails.

Who you should call if you have questions about your FoodShare benefits or to report suspicious account activity?

    • Check your FoodShare card balance by calling QUEST Card Service at 877-415-5164 or using the MyACCESS mobile app, ebtEDGE website, or ebtEDGE mobile app. Using only these tools to check your card balance helps prevent unauthorized card access.
    • Call your local agency to ask about suspicious FoodShare account activity, check account information, establish an account password, and ask general benefit questions.
    • Call QUEST Card Service 24/7 to change PINs, immediately report lost or stolen cards, and to report suspicious FoodShare acount activity outside of your local agency’s business hours.
    • Report any emails or texts about your FoodShare benefits that are not sent to you by DHS to the agency that issues your benefits and Wisconsin’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-422-7128 or [email protected]. This hotline is run by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Be sure to avoid clicking any links in the email or text message or calling the phone number that sent you the text message or any phone number in the message.

Food is a human right. Know your rights.

FoodShare will have work requirements.

Work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD) are back – but you may be eligible for an exemption.

Some FoodShare household members may have to follow FoodShare basic work rules or meet the FoodShare work requirement to keep getting FoodShare benefits.

Over the last three years, these requirements have been waived in coordination with the Public Health Emergency. This pause in work requirements has now ended.

If you’re between the ages of 18-54 without a dependent, your FoodShare will have time limits that may cause you to lose your benefits for up to three years.

Basic Work Rules & Work Requirement Information

Have you lost benefits due to not meeting a work requirement?

You Can Apply Again for FoodShare Starting January 1, 2025. People who lost FoodShare due to not meeting a work requirement can reapply for benefits. To apply: visit access.wisconsin.gov or talk with a FoodShare Advocate today!

For assistance, contact Milwaukee Enrollment Services (Milwaukee County residents) at (888) 947-6583. If you’re not a resident of Milwaukee County, find your local agency HERE.

Our FoodShare Advocates are trained to help you navigate and maintain your FoodShare benefits. Visit or call one of our FoodShare Resource Centers for help. LEARN MORE

Printable Resources

These resources provide helpful information in an easy-to-read, printable format to share. Learn more about Emergency FoodShare benefits, how to apply and information about the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program with the flyers below, available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Burmese and other languages.

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WIC Information

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FoodShare Application

Video Resources

SNAP (the federal term for FoodShare) is hands-down, the best anti-hunger program in the nation. For more than 40 years, it has proven over and over to respond to economic crises, so if families lose work, they’ll still have some help putting food on the table. 

FoodShare News & Stories