While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, helps eligible low-income individuals and families buy the food they need to stay healthy in the form of monthly benefits.
SNAP uses Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to distribute the benefits.
The Wisconsin SNAP food assistance program is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). Learn more about SNAP on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website here.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase approved food items. These include:
See a more comprehensive list of what you can buy with SNAP benefits here and a list of approved snacks and meal supplements here.
There are also food items that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits, including alcoholic beverages and hot prepared food. See a comprehensive list of what you cannot buy with SNAP benefits here.
SNAP provides monthly benefits, known as an allotment, to eligible households. The allotment amount you can receive is based on 1) number of people in your household and 2) your household income.
To calculate your allotment amount, multiply your household’s net income by 0.3 and then subtract that number from the federal maximum monthly benefit amount in the table below.
| Household Number | Federal Maximum Allotment Per Month |
|---|---|
| 1 | $194 |
| 2 | $355 |
| 3 | $509 |
| 4 | $646 |
| 5 | $768 |
| 6 | $921 |
| 7 | $1,018 |
| 8 | $1,164 |
| Each additional household member | +146 |
You have one year (365 days) to use your allotment or the benefits on your EBT card will be canceled.
To learn more about your benefit amount in Wisconsin, click here.
To qualify for SNAP in Wisconsin, you must meet the following requirements:
Learn more about Wisconsin’s income limits here and other eligibility criteria on page 5 of the Enrollment and Benefits Handbook here.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as FoodShare Wisconsin, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits here and the personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits on page 5 of the Enrollment and Benefits Handbook here.
Find a list of what you need to apply on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) website here. You can also view a copy of the application here to see what information is required.
To apply for SNAP online, create an account on Wisconsin’s ACCESS Portal here and fill out the SNAP application.
To apply for SNAP in person, click here to find the nearest Wisconsin DHS office location.
To apply for SNAP by phone, call your local income maintenance or tribal agency here.
To apply for SNAP by mail, fill out the FoodShare Wisconsin application here and send it with copies of your necessary documents to your local income maintenance agency, which you can find here.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services at (608) 266-1865 or send an email to dhswebmaster@wisconsin.gov.
If you are hard of hearing or speech impaired, you can also call the TTY relay line at 1(800) 947-3529 or 711.
If you need the FoodShare application in a different language, click here.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
If you applied for SNAP online, in person, by phone or by mail, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Health Services with your determination and benefit amount. If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 14 days of your determination letter.
Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.
SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or (877) 415-5164. You can also check your balance online here or by using the ebtEDGE app.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), you can appeal your decision by mail, email or by phone within the time frame stated in your determination letter.
To request a fair hearing by phone, call one of the Division and Hearings and Appeals offices here. Be sure to have your determination letter on hand, as the information within it will be necessary to file your appeal with the Division.
To file an appeal by mail, you will need to fill out a Fair Hearing request form here or write a letter that includes the following information:
After filling out your Fair Hearing request form or writing an appeal letter, you can mail it and a copy of your termination letter to the following address:
Division of Hearings and Appeals
PO box 7875
53707-7875.
To request a Fair Hearing by email, fill out a Fair Hearing request found here or write your own request letter and scan it onto your computer. Email the scanned versions of your request and a copy of your determination letter to DHAMail@wisconsin.gov.
If you have any questions about the Fair Hearing process, visit the Division of Hearings and Appeals website here or contact the Division here.
You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or (877) 415-5164. You can also check your balance online here or by using the ebtEDGE app.
Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services EBT card page here.
If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call Wisconsin’s EBT customer service number at 1 (877) 415-5164.
You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at an income maintenance office in Wisconsin.
For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, read the PDF found here.
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) at (608) 266-1865 or send an email to dhswebmaster@wisconsin.gov.
If you are hard of hearing or speech impaired, you can also call the TTY relay line at 1 (800) 947-3529 or 711.
To send the Wisconsin Department of Health Services information physically, you can mail your documents or questions to the following address:
Department of Health Services
1 West Wilson Street
Madison, WI 53703
You can also visit or call a local income maintenance or tribal agency for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as FoodShare Wisconsin, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits here and the personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits on page 5 of the Enrollment and Benefits Handbook here.
Find a list of what you need to apply on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) website here. You can also view a copy of the application here to see what information is required.
To apply for SNAP online, create an account on Wisconsin’s ACCESS Portal here and fill out the SNAP application.
To apply for SNAP in person, click here to find the nearest Wisconsin DHS office location.
To apply for SNAP by phone, call your local income maintenance or tribal agency here.
To apply for SNAP by mail, fill out the FoodShare Wisconsin application here and send it with copies of your necessary documents to your local income maintenance agency, which you can find here.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services at (608) 266-1865 or send an email to dhswebmaster@wisconsin.gov.
If you are hard of hearing or speech impaired, you can also call the TTY relay line at 1(800) 947-3529 or 711.
If you need the FoodShare application in a different language, click here.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
If you applied for SNAP online, in person, by phone or by mail, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Health Services with your determination and benefit amount. If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 14 days of your determination letter.
Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.
SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or (877) 415-5164. You can also check your balance online here or by using the ebtEDGE app.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), you can appeal your decision by mail, email or by phone within the time frame stated in your determination letter.
To request a fair hearing by phone, call one of the Division and Hearings and Appeals offices here. Be sure to have your determination letter on hand, as the information within it will be necessary to file your appeal with the Division.
To file an appeal by mail, you will need to fill out a Fair Hearing request form here or write a letter that includes the following information:
After filling out your Fair Hearing request form or writing an appeal letter, you can mail it and a copy of your termination letter to the following address:
Division of Hearings and Appeals
PO box 7875
53707-7875.
To request a Fair Hearing by email, fill out a Fair Hearing request found here or write your own request letter and scan it onto your computer. Email the scanned versions of your request and a copy of your determination letter to DHAMail@wisconsin.gov.
If you have any questions about the Fair Hearing process, visit the Division of Hearings and Appeals website here or contact the Division here.
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) at (608) 266-1865 or send an email to dhswebmaster@wisconsin.gov.
If you are hard of hearing or speech impaired, you can also call the TTY relay line at 1 (800) 947-3529 or 711.
To send the Wisconsin Department of Health Services information physically, you can mail your documents or questions to the following address:
Department of Health Services
1 West Wilson Street
Madison, WI 53703
You can also visit or call a local income maintenance or tribal agency for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
