FoodShare Wisconsin 2026-27: ACCESS, Limits and Rules

FoodShare isn't a grant. Nobody can charge you to apply or promise faster approval; ACCESS, your local agency and the paper form are free.

Using ACCESS and the MyACCESS App

Most people searching "ACCESS Wisconsin" want to log in, upload a paper or check a renewal date. Here's what DHS's own pages say about each task.

What ACCESS covers. DHS calls ACCESS "the fastest and easiest way to apply for benefits," and the FoodShare page tells members to use only ACCESS to apply and manage benefits online. The same account covers BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid (health coverage), FoodShare, Wisconsin Shares (child care subsidy) and Wisconsin Works (W-2) cash and job help. Inside ACCESS, "See if you can get help" runs a quick eligibility check before you apply.

The MyACCESS app. According to DHS's MyACCESS page (opens in a new tab) (revised October 20, 2026), the free app lets you:

The app needs Android 10 or iOS 13 or newer. Search "MyACCESS Wisconsin" in Google Play or the Apple App Store; DHS doesn't charge for it.

Logging in and password trouble. The MyACCESS FAQs (opens in a new tab) say the app uses the same user ID and password as the ACCESS website. If you applied on the website but haven't logged in since, the app may ask for your birthdate, your case number (or ForwardHealth ID or QUEST card number), and your Social Security number or case PIN. To reset a password, choose "Forgot password," enter your user ID, then confirm your birthdate and SSN or case PIN. For help, call ForwardHealth Member Services at 800-362-3002, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Checking your case without the app. Your renewal date appears in your ACCESS account and on DHS letters. If you can't get online, your consortium call center (table below) can tell you what's pending.

A warning about look-alikes. Type access.wi.gov yourself rather than clicking a link in a text or email. DHS warns that FoodShare is a fraud target and tells members not to follow links from unknown contacts or share personal details with them. Websites that offer "FoodShare grants" or charge to file for you aren't DHS.

How to Apply for FoodShare and Who Answers the Phone

DHS's apply page (opens in a new tab) lists four routes:

The interview. DHS says everyone must complete an interview, usually by phone. You can call your agency to set it up or wait for its call, and you can ask to meet in person instead.

Your local agency is a consortium, not a single county office. Wisconsin groups counties into income maintenance consortia, and each has one call center. From DHS's P-02342 contact sheet (January 2026) and its agency list (revised October 19, 2026):

Nine Tribal agencies also take FoodShare applications: Bad River (715-682-7127), Forest County Potawatomi (715-478-4433), Lac Courte Oreilles (715-634-8934), Lac du Flambeau (715-588-4235), Menominee (715-799-5137), Oneida Nation (800-216-3216), Red Cliff (715-779-3706), Sokaogon Chippewa (715-478-3265) and Stockbridge-Munsee (715-793-4032).

Renewals. DHS's renewal page says most members renew every year. The renewal letter arrives about two weeks before your renewal month, and the renewal, any interview and any requested documents are due by the last business day of that month. Turn things in late and you lose part of the next month: DHS's example is that documents arriving on the 15th mean about half a month's benefits. You can renew up to one month late without reapplying. Some members also file a six-month report form in between.

Need help beyond food? Grantsights' free eligibility checker asks who you are first. If you choose "Individual," then "Personal financial help" or "Student," it lists official routes rather than grants: the USA.gov benefit finder, rental help, help with bills, food help and studentaid.gov, plus the 211 line. It can't decide FoodShare eligibility; your income maintenance agency does.

FoodShare Income Limits for October 2026 to September 2027

Wisconsin's gross income test is 200% of the federal poverty level, well above the federal default of 130% ($3,575 a month for four). DHS's Monthly Income Limits page (opens in a new tab) lists these figures for October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027:

Source: Wisconsin DHS, Monthly Income Limits. The 130% column is the reporting limit: once you're enrolled, tell your agency if gross income goes above it. For background on the federal tables, see our national SNAP guide.

How broad-based categorical eligibility works in Wisconsin

The FoodShare Wisconsin Policy Handbook, Section 4.2.1, explains the rule. Most households are broad-based categorically eligible (BBCE) if gross monthly income is at or below 200% of poverty and their approval notice includes the "Job Center of Wisconsin" services language, a partly TANF-funded service. The handbook states plainly that "Broad-based categorically eligible food units have no asset test." USDA's BBCE chart (opens in a new tab) (updated June 29, 2026) agrees: Wisconsin, 200%, no limit on assets.

A household loses BBCE status if:

• gross income is over 200% of poverty;
• a member is disqualified for an intentional program violation or a drug felony;
• the primary person is disqualified for breaking the basic work rules; or
• a member gets a substantial lottery or gambling win.

Older and disabled households over 200% aren't shut out. Handbook Section 1.1.4 says a household with an elderly, blind or disabled member and income above 200% is tested under regular SNAP rules: no gross limit, a net income limit of 100% of poverty, and an asset limit for elderly or disabled households. USDA's FY2027 federal figure for that asset limit is $4,750.

Eligible isn't the same as getting a benefit

There's no net income test for BBCE households, so a household can pass and still compute to nothing. The handbook says groups of three or more whose net income is over the net limit "might not receive FoodShare benefits," while one- and two-person groups get at least the $25 minimum.

Specifically, a mother and two kids in Green Bay with $3,800 a month in wages and $1,350 rent (utilities included) pass the $4,554 test. After the 20% earnings deduction ($760) and the $217 standard deduction, income is $2,823. Half is about $1,412, so none of the rent counts as excess shelter cost. Thirty percent of $2,823 is about $847, more than the $808 maximum, so the household would get $0 even though it's eligible. A single parent of two in Wausau earning $2,200 with $1,100 rent (utilities included) would land near $443 a month. Report every rent, utility, child care and medical cost; they're what move the number.

Work Rules: How Wisconsin Applied the 2025 Law

Wisconsin has two separate sets of rules, and the 2025 federal law changed the second one.

1. Basic work rules (ages 16 to 59). DHS's basic work rules page (opens in a new tab) says you must report your work status, not quit a job of 30 or more hours a week (or $217.50 a week in pay) without good cause, not cut your hours below 30 without good cause, and accept a suitable job offer. A first sanction lasts one month, a second three months, and a third or later six months.

2. The work requirement for adults without dependents. DHS's work requirement page (opens in a new tab) (revised October 21, 2026) says members 18 to 64 who don't have a child 13 or younger living in the home must meet 80 hours a month of work, volunteering, a work program such as FSET, or a mix. Without an exemption or good cause, FoodShare is limited to three months in the current period, January 2025 to December 2027.

DHS Operations Memo 26-04 (February 6, 2026) sets out how Wisconsin phased in the federal law:

Exemptions DHS lists today: pregnancy; a physical or mental health condition that keeps you from working, which the memo says can include chronic homelessness; living with a child 13 or younger, even if the child isn't on FoodShare; Tribal membership; caring for a child 5 or younger who doesn't live with you, or for someone who can't care for themselves; getting or applying for unemployment; school or training at least half time; W-2; and alcohol or drug treatment.

Timing protection. The memo says that when someone loses an exemption mid-certification, including because of a change in the law, the agency can't start counting months until it rescreens the person for every exemption at the next interview. Ongoing members generally hit the new rules the month after their renewal. A common mistake is skipping that renewal interview, which is where you show a health condition or caregiving duty.

FSET. FoodShare Employment and Training is free, open to FoodShare members 16 and older, and counts toward the 80 hours. It offers job search help and education support, and can help with costs such as transportation and tools. People subject to the requirement are referred when they apply or renew.

Immigrant Eligibility Changes

DHS's non-citizen page (opens in a new tab) (revised July 14, 2026) says that starting July 1, 2026, FoodShare isn't available to people with a "newly non-qualifying" status:

Other people in the same household keep FoodShare, recalculated on the same card. DHS's page doesn't name a state-funded replacement program; it points to food support resources such as food pantries. For an individual case, talk to a qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative.

QUEST Cards, Skimming and Chip Status

FoodShare arrives on a QUEST card, managed through the ebtEDGE website and app.

A new default since March 1, 2026. DHS's QUEST card page (opens in a new tab) says cards now work only in Wisconsin and the bordering states (Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota) by default, and any extra out-of-state permission resets at midnight on the first of each month. That blocks a lot of the out-of-state cash-outs skimmers rely on.

Stolen benefits. DHS's security page doesn't promise replacement for skimmed benefits. USDA's stolen benefits page (opens in a new tab) says Congress didn't extend the authority to replace skimmed SNAP benefits with federal funds past December 20, 2024. Assume skimmed money is gone, and freeze your card.

No chip cards yet. USDA's chip card map (opens in a new tab), updated October 28, 2026, lists Wisconsin as a bordering state with no EBT chip card project in place. Michigan already issues chip cards, and Iowa has a project in progress.

Summer EBT, Double Up Food Bucks and the Candy and Soda Law

Summer EBT. Wisconsin uses the name "Summer EBT" rather than SUN Bucks. DHS's Summer EBT FAQ (opens in a new tab) (revised August 28, 2026) says summer 2026 paid $120 per eligible child, $40 for each of June, July and August, as a one-time issuance starting June 6, 2026. Children approved for free or reduced-price school meals qualify automatically, as do children in the age window whose households get FoodShare or W-2. Benefits go on a QUEST card and must be used within 122 days. The 2026 deadline was August 27, 2026, and the 2027 application is already open. Help: 833-431-2224.

According to USAspending.gov FY2025 data, Wisconsin received $63,407,157 in Summer EBT obligations (Assistance Listing 10.646), or $10.62 per resident, above the $8.16 national figure. Our Summer EBT guide has the federal rules.

Double Up Food Bucks Wisconsin. DHS's food system page (opens in a new tab) (revised August 6, 2026) describes a statewide program that matches FoodShare purchases dollar for dollar, up to $20 a week, for fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets, grocery stores, co-ops and CSA programs. DHS links to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin for locations, which change by season.

Candy and soda. 2025 Wisconsin Act 116, signed March 23, 2026, directs DHS to seek a federal waiver to bar FoodShare purchases of candy and soft drinks. As of USDA's food restriction waiver list updated October 13, 2026, Wisconsin isn't on the approved list, so the ban isn't in effect yet.

No restaurant meals. USDA's Restaurant Meals Program list (updated August 7, 2026) doesn't include Wisconsin.

Wisconsin's Error Rate and the State Cost Share

Wisconsin's FY2025 payment error rate was 5.72%, according to USDA's FY2025 payment error rate report (opens in a new tab): 5.32% in overpayments and 0.40% in underpayments. That's up from 4.47% in FY2024 but well under the 10.62% national rate, and it's one of the few states under 6%.

That matters because of Section 10105 of Public Law 119-21 (opens in a new tab). Starting in fiscal year 2028, a state under 6% pays nothing toward benefit costs, and a state from 6% to under 8% pays 5%. For FY2028, Wisconsin may use its FY2025 or FY2026 rate. Grantsights analysis of USAspending.gov FY2025 obligations puts the stakes in dollars: 5% of Wisconsin's $1,235,433,454 in FY2025 benefit obligations is about $62 million a year. At 5.72%, Wisconsin would owe none of it. Treat that as an illustration, since benefit totals change.

Your benefit formula doesn't change because of either. But Wisconsin has a strong reason to keep errors low, which means close document checks; answer every request by its due date.

How Much SNAP Money Reaches Wisconsin

Wisconsin's FoodShare benefits drew $1,235,433,454 in federal SNAP obligations in FY2025, according to USAspending.gov data. Grantsights analysis of USAspending.gov FY2025 obligations found that's $206.84 per resident, below the $254.36 figure for the 50 states and D.C., ranking Wisconsin 36th of 51.

Source: USAspending.gov (opens in a new tab) FY2025 obligations for Assistance Listing 10.551 by recipient state; Census Bureau July 1, 2025 population estimates; USDA FY2025 payment error rates.

In July 2026, 654,525 people in 353,585 households got FoodShare, according to USDA's state participation tables (opens in a new tab) (data as of October 9, 2026). That's 3.2% fewer than the 676,206 in July 2025. Nationally, enrollment fell 13.3% over the same year. FoodShare reaches about 11% of Wisconsin residents. July 2026 benefits totaled $117,238,738, or about $179 per person.

How to read this: the per-resident figure says nothing about your benefit. A family of four in Superior faces the same $1,023 maximum as a family across the bridge in Duluth. Relatives in Minnesota can use our Minnesota food stamps guide; in Illinois, see our Illinois food stamps guide.

What DHS's FoodShare Pages Don't Tell You

DHS's pages are clear on the basics, but these details sit in memos, handbooks or a different page:

1. Your "county office" is a regional call center. Calling a county number often routes you to a consortium serving eight or more counties. Use the consortium number in the table above.
2. The asset rule is in the handbook, not the income page. The income limits page doesn't mention assets. Handbook Section 4.2.1 is where DHS says BBCE households have no asset test.
3. Larger households can pass and get $0. Groups of three or more near the 200% line often compute to nothing. Only one- and two-person groups get the $25 floor.
4. The work rule changes landed at renewal, not on a single date. Memo 26-04 shows Wisconsin phased the federal law in from October 2025 to March 2026, applied at each person's next renewal. If you're 55 to 64, a veteran or a parent of teens only, expect the 80-hour rule at your next renewal.
5. Your card may not work on a trip. Since March 2026, QUEST cards default to Wisconsin and four neighbors. Visiting family farther away? Turn on that state in ebtEDGE first; it resets the first of the next month.
6. The candy and soda law isn't active. It needs USDA approval first, and Wisconsin wasn't on USDA's approved list as of October 13, 2026.

Avoid FoodShare and QUEST Card Scams

DHS warns that FoodShare benefits are a fraud target and that fraud can drain an account until the next deposit. The FTC's government grant scams page (opens in a new tab) warns that anyone charging a fee for "free government money" is running a scam, and USDA's SNAP scam alerts (opens in a new tab) describe fake "your card is locked" texts.

Red flags in Wisconsin:

• A text or call saying your QUEST card is frozen, with a link or callback number. Call 877-415-5164 from the back of your card instead.
• An offer to switch you to a chip card. USDA lists no chip project for Wisconsin.
• Anyone asking for your PIN, your ACCESS password or a fee to apply.
• A site that isn't access.wi.gov or dhs.wisconsin.gov asking for your Social Security number.

If you're hit, call QUEST Card Service, change your PIN, report it to the DHS Office of the Inspector General at 877-865-3432, and file at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (opens in a new tab).

Other Food and Money Help in Wisconsin

FoodShare rarely lasts all month. Pair it with:

• Food pantries: call or text 211.
• WIC for pregnancy and children under 5: our WIC program guide.
• Cash help: Wisconsin Works (W-2), the state's TANF program; our TANF cash assistance guide explains TANF.
• Heating bills: our LIHEAP energy assistance guide.
• Older adults: our help for seniors guide.

FAQ: FoodShare Wisconsin

What is ACCESS Wisconsin and is it the official FoodShare site?

Yes. ACCESS (access.wi.gov) and the MyACCESS Wisconsin app are run by DHS. Grantsights isn't affiliated and never asks for logins. Login help: 800-362-3002.

What is the FoodShare income limit in Wisconsin for 2026-27?

200% of poverty: $2,660 a month for one person and $5,500 for four, from October 2026 through September 2027.

How do I apply for FoodShare in Wisconsin?

Online through ACCESS, by phone or in person with your consortium or Tribal agency, or by mail on form F-16019. An interview is required.

Who has to meet the FoodShare work requirement?

Adults 18 to 64 without a child 13 or younger at home, unless exempt. They need 80 hours a month of work or training, or benefits stop after three months in the 2025 to 2027 period.

What do I do if my QUEST card is lost, stolen or skimmed?

Call 877-415-5164, freeze the card in ebtEDGE, and ask your agency about a temporary card if you need food now.

Did refugees lose FoodShare in Wisconsin?

Yes, starting July 1, 2026 for new applicants and at renewal for current members.

Does Wisconsin have Summer EBT (SUN Bucks)?

Yes: $120 per eligible child in summer 2026. The 2027 application is open.

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Sources

1. Wisconsin DHS: FoodShare (opens in a new tab), Monthly Income Limits (opens in a new tab), Eligibility (opens in a new tab), Interviews (opens in a new tab) and Renewals (opens in a new tab)
2. Wisconsin DHS: How to Apply (opens in a new tab) and Income Maintenance and Tribal Agency Contact Information (opens in a new tab), plus P-02342 contact sheet (opens in a new tab)
3. Wisconsin DHS: MyACCESS (opens in a new tab) and MyACCESS FAQs (opens in a new tab)
4. FoodShare Wisconsin Policy Handbook, 4.2.1 Categorical and Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (opens in a new tab) and 1.1.4 Eligibility Overview (opens in a new tab)
5. Wisconsin DHS: Work Requirement (opens in a new tab), Basic Work Rules (opens in a new tab), Operations Memo 26-04 (opens in a new tab) and Operations Memo 26-28 (opens in a new tab)
6. Wisconsin DHS: Benefits for Non-Citizens (opens in a new tab)
7. Wisconsin DHS: QUEST Card (opens in a new tab), Protect Your Benefits (opens in a new tab) and Replacement Food Benefits (opens in a new tab)
8. Wisconsin DHS: Summer EBT (opens in a new tab) and Summer EBT FAQ (opens in a new tab)
9. Wisconsin DHS: Food System Initiatives (opens in a new tab) - Double Up Food Bucks
10. Wisconsin Legislature: 2025 Assembly Bill 180 (2025 Wisconsin Act 116) (opens in a new tab)
11. USDA: FY2025 SNAP Payment Error Rates (opens in a new tab) and FY2024 rates (opens in a new tab)
12. USDA: SNAP Data Tables (opens in a new tab) - July 2026 participation and benefits
13. USDA: EBT Modernization (opens in a new tab), Stolen Benefits (opens in a new tab), BBCE chart (opens in a new tab), Food Restriction Waivers (opens in a new tab) and Restaurant Meals Program (opens in a new tab)
14. Public Law 119-21 (opens in a new tab) - Sections 10102, 10105, 10106 and 10108
15. USDA: SNAP Scam Alerts (opens in a new tab) and FTC: Government Grant Scams (opens in a new tab)
16. USAspending.gov award search (opens in a new tab) - Wisconsin's FY2025 obligations for Assistance Listings 10.551, 10.561 and 10.646