What is FoodShare and the QUEST card?

FoodShare, also known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) helps people with limited income purchase the food they need for good health. The QUEST card (similar to a debit card) is a safe and easy way for families to use their FoodShare benefits. It is used to purchase nutritious food at stores or participating farmers markets that have swipe card terminals and take part in FoodShare. FoodShare benefits are automatically placed on the QUEST card using an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) system.

To learn if you are eligible for FoodShare benefits:

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What is FoodShare?

You’ve probably heard of food stamps or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). In Wisconsin, the program is called FoodShare. The goal of this program is to stop hunger. You can use FoodShare benefits at most stores, as well as at many farmers markets where you can purchase fresh fruits and vegetables most months out of the year. People all over Wisconsin receive help from FoodShare. People who:

  • Have low-income jobs
  • Live on a small or fixed income
  • Are retired
  • Have lost their jobs
  • Are disabled and can’t work

Commonly Asked FoodShare Questions

Do I qualify for FoodShare?

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin can screen you to see if you might be eligible and also schedule you for one-on-one application assistance with a knowledgeable staff person. Connect with our team by emailing [email protected], by filling out the contact form HERE, or by calling our English/Spanish Helpline at 1.877.366.3635.

Income Eligibility Requirements from Wisconsin Department of Health Services:*If your family’s gross monthly income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL), it passes the Gross Income Test. Your family can earn certain credits to be subtracted from your gross income. Learn more about credits and how your benefits are calculated in the ForwardHealth Enrollment and Benefits Handbook, P-00079

You can also test for yourself online today, on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services ACCESS website HERE.

How do I apply for FoodShare?

There are multiple ways you can apply for FoodShare – in person, over the phone, online, or by mail. Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin staff can assist with your application or renewal, answer any questions you may have, and provide additional resources and information.

• IN PERSON: To find your closest FoodShare office and business hours please visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website HERE.

• OVER THE PHONE: You can call your local FoodShare office directly or contact a Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin team member for one-on-one support. Connect with our team by emailing [email protected], by filling out the contact form HERE, or by calling our English/Spanish Helpline at 1.877.366.3635.  If you call the Helpline and leave a voicemail, calls are usually returned in 1-2 business days. You can also call Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin’s main office to be connected to one of our team members – 414.931.7400 (Milwaukee Campus) or 920.202.3690 (Appleton Campus).

• ONLINE: To apply for FoodShare online, you will need to create an account on ACCESS Wisconsin HERE. Please note, you will still need to complete the FoodShare interview (over the phone or in person) if you submit an application online, so keep an eye out for a phone call after you submit your application. If you miss the phone call, you will have to call the agency yourself, or your application will automatically close.

• BY MAIL: You can request a paper application from your local FoodShare office, or email [email protected] to request a paper application be mailed to you. Please note, you will still need to complete the FoodShare interview (over the phone or in person) if you submit an application online, so keep an eye out for a phone call after you submit your application. If you miss the phone call, you will have to call the agency yourself, or your application will automatically close.

Additional FoodShare Questions

• What is the FoodShare work requirement?: Some FoodShare members who are able-bodied adults without dependents need to meet the FoodShare work requirement to receive benefits. These members are adults between certain ages, who have no children under age 18 in their FoodShare household, and who don’t qualify for an exemption from the work requirement policy. If you need to meet the FoodShare work requirement, you do so by working at least 80 hours each month, taking part in an allowable work program at least 80 hours each month, or working and taking part in an allowable work program for a combined total of at least 80 hours each month. Working can include in exchange for money, such as working for an employer or working for your own business or self-employment. Working can also include working in exchange for goods or services. This type of work is sometimes called “in kind” work. You can also meet the work requirement by doing unpaid work, such as volunteer work or community service.

• What do I do if I have a lost or damaged QUEST card?: Call 1.877.451.5164 to report a lost or stolen QUEST card. A new card will be issued to the address on file. Please ensure that your mailing address is up to date before calling to request a replacement card, either online through the ACCESS website or by calling your local agency.

• What do I need in order to apply for FoodShare?: Your full name, mailing address (you may use the agency’s address if you are currently between homes or experiencing homelessness), your Social Security number(SSN) or proof that you have applied for a Social Security card, or the Social Security number of the person you are helping apply for benefits (young child, elder parent, etc.).

• How do I know if I qualify for FoodShare?: The only way to know for sure if you qualify for FoodShare benefits is to go through the full application process and submit any requested documents.

• I finished the application and the FoodShare interview. What’s next?: The agent should inform you of any documents you need to submit as proof of information. This list of required documents will also be in a letter mailed out to you and is available on the ACCESS website and MyACCESS mobile app. You will have 30 days to turn in any requested documents. Once all of your documents are submitted, you will receive a decision on whether you have been approved or denied benefits. If you are trying to find out if you were approved for FoodShare, you will receive a letter in the mail, a notice in ACCESS, or you can call your local agency.

• How do I submit documents?: By visiting the ACCESS website, through the MyACCESS mobile app, or turn in documents in person at your local agency. If you have questions or need assistance with document submission, please contact our team via email at [email protected].

• I’m having trouble creating an account on the MyACCESS mobile app. What can I do?: From a computer or tablet, open the ACCESS website on an internet browser and create your account online first, before using the mobile app. Do not add an email at the beginning of account creation – sometimes adding one at the beginning creates error messages for users, you can add one later. When you apply over the phone, ask for your case number. This is a 10-digit number that you can use to create your access account and link your current information to it. This number is also available on the upper right-hand corner of all official documents from DHS in regard to your case.

• I’ve been approved for FoodShare. When will I receive my QUEST card?: If you have not been issued a QUEST card before, once your application is approved, your QUEST card will be mailed to your address on file within 7-10 business days. If you need a card sooner than that, you can visit your local FoodShare office to see if you are eligible for a temporary FoodShare card to use until your permanent one arrives in the mail. If you have been issued a QUEST card before, QUEST cards are life-long cards, so if you still have your old card, that is what your benefits will be issued on to. If you have lost, thrown away, or had your previous card stolen, you can call QUEST card Customer Service to request a new card be issued to you at 1.877.451.5164.

• How do I report changes to my information (job, address, phone number, etc.)? Visit the ACCESS website, use the MyACCESS mobile app, or call or visit your local agency. Please note, you may need to provide proof of the change.

• How do I receive Replacement FoodShare Benefits?: If food you purchased with FoodShare or Summer EBT benefits was lost due to a misfortune or weather event, you can request Replacement Benefits. If you are a FoodShare member or a FoodShare member who also receives Summer EBT, submit your request whichever way is easiest for you:  

  • Online: Log in to ACCESS and click on “Food Benefits Replacement Request” in the left menu to get started.  
  • By phone or in person with your local agency: Click HERE for more information for each county agency.
  • By mail or fax: Complete and submit a Request for Replacement FoodShare and/or Summer EBT Benefits form HERE. 
  • If you are a Summer EBT recipients who doesn’t get FoodShare benefits, you must submit the form F-00330 HERE via email to [email protected].

• What if my FoodShare is stolen?: At this time, stolen benefits are not replaceable by DHS. To help prevent fraud and protect your benefits, please visit the DHS website HERE for best practices for securing your benefits.

• Can I apply on behalf of a family member (elder parent, child, etc.)?: Yes! If your relationship to that other person is as a legal guardian, conservator, or authorized representative, you can apply on their behalf. If you live in the household and share food with this person, but do not qualify for benefits yourself, you can still complete an application and only the eligible people in the home may qualify for benefits. If you have questions about whether you or a family member might qualify for FoodShare, please contact our team at [email protected] or call our English/Spanish Helpline at 1.877.366.3635.

Helpful Food Resources

Your FoodShare Rights    |    And Justice For All