You’ve probably heard of food stamps or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). In Wisconsin, we call the program FoodShare. The goal of this program is to stop hunger.
You can use your FoodShare benefits at most stores. You also can use them at many farmers markets, where you can buy fresh fruits and vegetables most months out of the year.
People all over Wisconsin get help from FoodShare. We help people of all ages who:
If you have limited money to buy food, FoodShare can help. Find out if your income qualifies you for FoodShare benefits.
Only use the ACCESS website to apply for and manage your benefits. You also can use MyACCESS mobile app to get information about your benefits. If you get FoodShare benefits, you can use the ebtEDGE mobile app to access your account.
FoodShare benefits continue to be a target for fraud. FoodShare fraud can result in you losing the monies in your account, which prevents you from being able to buy food until those monies are replenished. Therefore, it is important that you take steps to protect your identify and your benefits. Learn more about protecting your benefits.
Never give details about yourself or your finances to people you don’t know. Scammers might contact you over the phone. If you aren’t sure who you’re talking to, hang up. They might send you text messages or emails. They might even knock on your door. If you don’t know them, don’t respond or follow any web links. Call your agency or ForwardHealth Member Services at 800-362-3002 if you think someone is trying to scam you.
The Federal Trade Commission is the nation’s consumer protection agency. They know scam artists want to steal your identity. Scammers want to use your credit cards and checking account. They might open a new credit card, checking, or savings account, write bad checks, or take out loans in your name.
You can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, or call 877-FTC-HELP. If you think your identity has been stolen, report it on the Federal Trade Commission website, or call 877-ID-THEFT.
The misuse of public funds affects each person who lives in Wisconsin. All individuals are encouraged to report suspected fraud, waste, and abuse to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at 877-865-3432 or online.
The OIG's mission is to protect Wisconsin taxpayers by tracking and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse in public assistance programs administered by DHS. Learn more about the OIG.
A noncitizen’s immigration status will not be affected by receiving health care, food, housing, and many other government benefits. The only government benefits that could affect immigration status are cash assistance (SSI and W-2) and institutional long-term care paid for by Medicaid. Public benefits received by children and pregnant women will not impact their parents’ or spouse’s immigration status. If you need help affording food or paying for medical care, applying for or getting FoodShare or BadgerCare Plus will not have any impact on your immigration status. This information provided is in accordance with 8 C.F.R. 103, 212, 213, and 245.
A “public charge” is someone who the government believes is likely to become dependent on the government for basic needs. Public charge is part of immigration policy that can impact some noncitizens’ ability to gain entry to the United States or get a green card.
Find the USDA nondiscrimination statement (PDF) (Page 2). You can get the nondiscrimination statement in languages other than English at the bottom of this web page.
