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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.
Agencies to Resume Requesting Required Verifications Starting July 19 – Impacts for Members
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wisconsin made many adjustments to state program operations, including not requiring most members to submit verification related to their eligibility, such as documentation to confirm gross income. In most cases, we have been able to use what members told us as the best available information. With many businesses and agencies closed to the public during the pandemic, we did not want members to experience risks to their health or their household’s benefits because of challenges in obtaining verification related to the pandemic.
While this change was put in place to benefit our members, errors can occur when we do not receive verification. For example, we use gross income to determine eligibility for our programs, but a member asked about their income may report their take-home pay. This can result in issues for the member if there is a significant difference between what they tell us and what their actual circumstances were. Resuming verification requirements will avoid these sorts of errors to the benefit of our members.
Wisconsin will resume requests for verification July 19
As part of our transition back to normal operations, starting July 19, 2021, Wisconsin’s income maintenance and tribal agencies will once again be requesting required verifications from applicants and members when verification is needed to determine eligibility for FoodShare, BadgerCare Plus, and Medicaid.
Due to federal guidance, the significance of this change is different for FoodShare members than for members of our health care programs.
What does this mean for FoodShare applicants and members?
If a FoodShare applicant or member has trouble obtaining requested verification, they should contact their agency as soon as possible. Agencies will attempt to help them get the required verification. If verification is unavailable, the agency can still use the member’s statement as the best available information at this time. However, efforts will be made to collect verification before member-provided information is used.
If the member does not contact their agency and does not provide the requested verification by their due date, that person’s eligibility for FoodShare may end or be denied.
What does this mean for applicants or members of one of Wisconsin’s health care programs?
If a health care program applicant or member has trouble obtaining requested verification, they should contact their agency as soon as possible. Agencies will attempt to help them get their verification. If verification is unavailable, the agency can still use the member’s statement as the best available information at this time. However, efforts will be made to collect verification before member-provided information is used.
Current members of our health care programs will continue to get benefits until the end of the public health emergency, even if they are unable to provide the requested verification. The public health emergency is expected to last until at least December 31, 2021.
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