Updates for local agencies, community-based organizations, and providers who provide assistance to members of Wisconsin's health and nutrition public assistance programs.
Important Information for our ForwardHealth and FoodShare Members: Help Us Get the Word Out About Fraud and the Infant Formula Recall
Fighting FoodShare Fraud
Member Messaging About Protecting Their Benefits
FoodShare benefits continue to be a target for fraud. FoodShare fraud can result in a member losing the monies in their account. When that happens, the member can't buy food until those monies are replenished. We need your help reminding FoodShare members of the importance of taking steps to protect their identify and their benefits.
We're updating FoodShare pages on the Department of Health Services (DHS) website with these key messages for members. We encourage you to integrate them into your communications with FoodShare members as well:
- Monitor your benefits. Use the QUEST card website or call QUEST Card Service at 877-415-5164 to check the balance of your benefits regularly.
- Change your EBT card PIN by calling QUEST Card Service at 877-415-5164. Use a unique number that cannot be easily discovered. Don’t use easy-to-guess numbers such as 2345 or 0000.
- Consider adding a password to your EBT account. This password prevents someone from ordering a new card and using your benefits, cancelling your card, or changing your PIN. Contact your agency for assistance in setting up an EBT account password.
- If your card is stolen or lost, report it immediately to QUEST Card Service at 877-415-5164.
- If you believe your account has been accessed without your permission, call your agency to try and verify if anyone besides you has been using your account.
Report Fraud
The misuse of public funds affects each person who lives in Wisconsin. All individuals are encouraged to report suspected fraud, waste, and abuse to the Office of the Inspector General at 877-865-3432 or online. OIG's mission is to protect Wisconsin taxpayers by tracking and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse in the public assistance programs administered by DHS. Learn more about OIG.
Infant Formula Recall
Health Alert #40 issued by the Division of Public Health at DHS contains important information about Abbott Nutrition's recent recall of powdered infant formula produced at their plant in Sturgis, Michigan, including Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare. It includes new information about how participants in Wisconsin's Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program can temporarily substitute other similar formulas listed on the DHS website. We would like to reinforce the importance of sharing information about the recall with any members who may use these types of formulas, regardless of WIC participation.
Wisconsin’s Health Alert Network (HAN) enables public health staff, tribal governments, health care providers, emergency workers, and other partners and stakeholders to exchange reliable information when an event or outbreak threatens the health of our state. To see past alerts, visit the HAN webpage.
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