Work Requirement Reinstated

In 1996, SNAP implemented a time limit for Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDs). Participants in this group could only receive three months of benefits in a 36-month period unless they met work requirements or qualified for an exemption. The work requirement had been waived in Wisconsin since 2002 because of high unemployment rates, but it is going into effect again in two phases:
Phase 1: July 1st, 2014 – Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth Counties
Phase 2: April 1st, 2015 – the rest of Wisconsin
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"Heat and Eat" Cuts 

Any FoodShare household that receives home energy assistance from the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) automatically qualifies for the maximum standard utility allowance. Beginning in 2009, this maximum standard utility allowance was extended to all FoodShare households through a policy known as “Heat and Eat.” The Farm Bill passed by Congress last year included cuts to the Heat and Eat provisions. 
Learn more →

FoodShare 101 Webinar

Second Harvest's FoodShare Outreach team will be hosting a FoodShare 101 webinar on Thursday, November 20th at 1:00 pm CST. Head over to our Webinars and Events page for more information and to sign up!

Second Harvest Offers Help with FoodShare Applications

Making the decision to apply for FoodShare can be hard. Caroline, an 89 year old who is active in her community, never figured she would be in a position to ask for anything. She had saved but said she had "outlived her savings," and it was becoming impossible to make ends meet. After talking with a FoodShare outreach specialist, Caroline decided to set up an appointment to get help applying for FoodShare. At Second Harvest's FoodShare Outreach program, we help people like Caroline apply for FoodShare and connect with community resources every day.   Keep reading →

FoodShare 101: The Basics

Everyone needs a helping hand from time to time, and some of our neighbors don’t have the option of turning to family and friends. FoodShare, which is also called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), helps close to 850,000 Wisconsinites who have hit tough times by providing money for groceries while they get back on their feet. The core purpose of FoodShare is to make sure people are able to meet basic nutritional needs. Keep reading →

FoodShare Helps Students Focus on School

As Wisconsin students head back to school this fall, we want to make sure they start each day ready to learn. Parents want the best for their kids, but sometimes they have to make tough choices between paying the bills and buying food. We’ve all experienced how hard it is to stay focused at work when we’re hungry. Kids who are hungry have a harder time concentrating at school, too.  FoodShare works alongside school nutrition programs and community organizations to help more than 330,000 Wisconsin kids stay fueled and focused on their education. Keep reading →