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Updates for local agencies, community-based organizations, and providers who provide assistance to members of Wisconsin's health and nutrition public assistance programs.
Update on Temporary Adjustments to FoodShare Renewals and Six-Month Reports
Background
To help protect the health and safety of members during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has been temporarily postponing FoodShare interviews whenever possible and has eliminated most Six-Month Reports since April 2020. DHS has been able to make these temporary adjustments based on the provisions of two federal laws: the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act and the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act.
Renewals
Renewals Originally Due in January Through June 2021 Postponed Six Months
DHS is able to postpone renewals originally due in January, February, March, April, May, and June 2021 for six months under the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act. Members who would have had renewals due in those months will now need to complete the renewal process in July, August, September, October, November, and December 2021, respectively.
Some Renewals to Resume Starting in April
DHS was able to postpone renewals originally due in April, May, June, October, November, and December 2020 for a total of 12 months, six months under the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act and six months under the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act. Once a renewal has been postponed for 12 months, it cannot be postponed any further.
As a result, members whose renewals were originally due in those months will need to complete a renewal in those same months for 2021. They will receive a letter in the mail approximately 45 days prior to their renewal being due, notifying them that they need to complete the renewal process. They will also receive a notification in their ACCESS account.
Note: Under federal law, DHS was not able to postpone renewals due in July, August, and September 2020. Members with renewals due in those months completed their renewal process as usual, and their next renewals will be due in July, August, and September 2021.
Renewals Cannot Be Postponed Starting in July 2021
Starting in July 2021, any renewals originally due in July 2021 and subsequent months will need to be completed. DHS is not able to postpone those renewals under current federal law.
Six-Month Reports
Six-Month Reports Eliminated for March, April, May, and June
DHS is able to continue eliminating the requirement for members to complete a FoodShare Six-Month Report through June 2021 under the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act. Starting July 1, 2021, DHS will need to start requiring completion of the Six-Month Report again. When it is time for members to complete a Six-Month Report, they will receive a paper report form in the mail and a notification in their ACCESS account.
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