The federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) that has been declared for the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020 is ending. The PHE made special exemptions for certain programs like FoodShare to make it easier for people to keep their benefits.  

As of May 11, 2023 the PHE will end for the entire county. Once the PHE ends, programs like FoodShare will see many of the exemptions end, and the old rules to maintain benefits will return.  

These exemptions were temporary measures and never meant to be permanent changes. The following guide is a tool to help navigate these changes and help eligible people continue to receive their benefits. New FoodShare applications or renewals may need additional information or verification documents to receive benefits. 

Exemptions Ending 

i. Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWD) Time Limits– During the PHE, all states were exempt from time limits for Able-Bodied Adults without Dependent Children. 

Update: If you are between the ages of 18-49 and do not have an exemption, you will only be able to receive 3 months of FoodShare every 3 years unless you meet the FoodShare work requirements. 

Some common exemptions are: 

• Already working at least 30 hours a week (or earning wages at least equal to the federal minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours) 
• Meeting work requirements for another program (TANF or unemployment compensation) 
• Taking care of a child under 6 or an incapacitated person 
• Have someone under 18 in your FoodShare Household 
• Pregnant 
• Participating regularly in an alcohol or drug treatment program 
• Unable to work due to a physical or mental limitation  
• Experiencing chronic homelessness  
• Studying in school or a training program at least half-time (but college students are subject to other eligibility rules). 

 Additional Information 

ii. College students – During the PHE, if you were a college student, you were able to qualify to FoodShare if you fit these exemptions:  

1. Having an estimated family contribution of $0 on your financial aid  
2. Qualifying for work study programs (not necessary to be working, as long as you qualify) 

Reminder that if you were able to sign up for FoodShare with a pandemic-era exemption that is ending, you can continue to receive FoodShare until your next renewal. 

Update: College students may qualify for FoodShare, but the two PHE exemptions listed above no longer assist with eligibility. If you qualify for FoodShare under a different student exemption, you may continue to receive benefits. 

iii. During the PHE, states were not drug testing FoodShare applicants. 

Update: If you have been convicted of a drug felony in the last 5 years, you need to take extra steps to maintain your FoodShare eligibility: 

1. A person may qualify for FoodShare even if they have been convicted of a drug felony in the last 5 years. That person will need to submit a passing drug test as part of their application to be approved for benefits.
2. If you are going to be submitting a renewal after the ending of the PHE, you will need to submit a passing drug test to continue to receive your benefits. 

Timeline: Understanding the Impact of the End of the Public Health Emergency and COVID-19 Waivers on SNAP Households

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government required the Department of Health Services to allow BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid members to maintain health care coverage. This policy is ending due to federal legislation passed in December 2022 (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023).  Renewal deadlines will begin in June and are spread out over 12 months (June 30, 2023 – May 31, 2024). Members should wait until they receive their renewal packet to complete their renewal. Renewing early could result in members losing coverage earlier than their assigned renewal date. 

• Members have reported receiving texts claiming their Foodshare benefits will be cancelled unless they confirm their personal information such as their PIN or password. They are told to call the number contacting them to do so. Once they do this the scammer will use that information to steal their Foodshare benefits.  
• If members have been contacted, they should check their balance using MyACCESS or by calling their local agency. Local agencies are also where members should report any suspicious texts or emails. 
• If members have been contacted by a suspicious number or by a number asking for personel information, they should consider changing their PIN, password, or username. 
• To help ensure their safety and security members should avoid using email addresses and names of family members or pets for usernames and password. Members should also avoid using birthdates, repeated numbers (1111), consecutive numbers (1234), or patterns (1212) for their PIN.