The Office of the Governor of the State of Wisconsin
10/21/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/22/2025 11:26
Wisconsin FoodShare Program to Run Out of Funding in 10 Days
Press Release: Wisconsin FoodShare Program to Run Out of Funding in 10 Days
State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 10/21/2025 10:08 AM CDT| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 21, 2025 |
| Contact: [email protected] |
| Wisconsin FoodShare Program to Run Out of Funding in 10 Days |
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November Food Assistance for Wisconsin Kids, Families, and Seniors in JeopardyDue to Federal Government Shutdown |
| Gov. Evers Calls on Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans to End Federal Shutdown, Prevent Nearly 700,000Wisconsinitesfrom Losing Access to Basic Food Necessities |
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MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers today announced that, due to the federal government shutdown in Washington, D.C., Wisconsin'sFoodShare program, which provides food assistanceto hungry kids, families, and seniors, will run out of funding in 10 days. The Trump Administration recently notifiedWisconsinthat "there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million individuals across the Nation" and "direct[ed] States to hold their November issuance files and delay transmission to State EBT vendors until further notice." Based on the Trump Administration's directive, FoodShare, which is 100 percent funded by the federal government, is now in jeopardy due to the federal government shutdown and may not be available at all next monthif the federal government shutdown continues, leaving nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites without access to basic food and groceries. The Evers Administration continues to closely monitorfunding levels for WIC, a separatefood assistanceprogram designed to support women, babies, and kids, which remainsavailable for qualifying Wisconsinites at this time. The governor's announcement today comes as the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress enter Day 21of thefederal government shutdown, largely over a refusal to negotiate on extending tax credits under the Affordable Care Act that ensure millions of Americans, including hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites, can afford the cost of their healthcare coverage. Republicans appear poised to allow the shutdown to continue even as 78 percent of Americans and nearly 60 percentof Republicans support extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits. "With rising costs and President Trump's chaotic tradewars, Wisconsin families are already struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table, and every day that Republicans continue thisreckless and harmful shutdown is another day that ourkids,families, farmers, veterans, seniors,and communities fall even further behind. There'sno excuse for it. None," said Gov. Evers. "Nopersonshould ever go hungry-mostespecially notin the United States of America. President Trump and Republicans in Congress must work across the aisle and end this shutdown now so Wisconsinites and Americans across our countryhave access to basic necessities like food and groceries that they needto survive." Any Wisconsinite who needs additional food or infant formula for their house or family can reach out to 211 for information and referrals to local services. Anyone can use 211 to get help by:
DHS also encourages Medicaid and FoodShare members to make sure their phone number, email, and mailing address on file are up to date by going to the ACCESS.wi.govwebsite or the smartphone app. The department will announce some of the changes broadly, as appropriate, using channels like the Medicaid news webpage, FoodShare news webpage, social media, news releases, and email. Gov. Evers encourages Wisconsinites across the state to contact their congressional representatives andurge support for endingthe federal government shutdown, extendingkey programs that help lower healthcare costs, and preventinghundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites from going hungry. Wisconsinites can go to https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-memberand enter their address to find the contact information for their congressional representative and senators. The Evers Administration today released the below information current as of this release today, Oct. 21, 2025, relating to the federal government shutdown's impacts on Wisconsin FoodShare benefits. FoodShare Remains Funded Through October The FoodShare program is fully funded through the month of October. The federal government provides monthly funding for FoodShare benefits directly to the fiscal vendor that manages Wisconsin's QUEST cards - electronic benefit cards members use to pay for groceries using FoodShare benefits. The federal government provided October benefits to Wisconsin'sFoodShare vendor on schedule. FoodSharePayments Stopped Until After Federal Shutdown Ends The Trump Administration has indicated that there is not enough funding to provideanother month of food benefits.As FoodShare benefits are 100 percent funded by the federal government, Wisconsin FoodShare members will not resume receiving benefits until after the federal government shutdown ends. Thismeans that if the shutdown continues, at this time, FoodShare members will not get their monthly benefits in November, and evenif the shutdown endstomorrow, for example, November benefits willbe delayed. After the shutdown ends and there is federal funding for FoodShare again, the Department of Health Serviceswill work with the federal government as quickly as possible to resumeissuing benefits. "It'simportant for members to know FoodShare benefits may not be available on QUEST cards to make purchases in November. This may include any funds remainingon your card at the end of October," said DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson. "Members who have benefits on their cards may want to stock up on food items that don't go bad-canned goods, boxed items, with their benefits before the end of October." DHS is mailing FoodShare members letters this week to notify themof the delay in benefits. These letters arealsoavailable electronically in ACCESS. DHS will continue to update the FoodShare: News and Updateswebpage to share the latest information available. DHSwill directly notify FoodShare members once the shutdown endsand funding is availableabout when they will resume receiving benefits. Whenever DHS has more information about the effects of the shutdown on our programs, thedepartmentwill share through theDHSwebsite, emails, social media, and other channels. WIC Remains Available Wisconsin WIC is currently available, and based on theinformation available at this time, November benefits will also be available. During the government shutdown, WIC members can use their WIC benefits, attend WIC appointments, and do not need to take any action. If there are changes to the availability of WIC funding and benefits, DHS will let WIC members, partners, and providers know as soon as possible. Medicaid and BadgerCarePlus members still have coverage to get the care and services they need. For updates, visit the Medicaid Newspage. |
| An online version of this release is available here. |
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| Office of the Governor • 115 East Capitol, Madison, WI 53702 | |
| Press Office Email: [email protected] | |
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The Office of the Governor of the State of Wisconsin published this content on October 21, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 22, 2025 at 17:27 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]