ForwardHealth Community Partners

Updates for local agencies, community-based organizations, and providers who provide assistance to members of Wisconsin's health and nutrition public assistance programs.

FoodShare Work Requirement to be Reinstated Over a Nine-Month Period Starting July 1, 2023

Some adult FoodShare members without children in their FoodShare household need to meet a work requirement to keep getting FoodShare benefits. Normally, if these members do not meet the work requirement, or do not have an exemption, they are limited to three months of benefits in a three-year period.

However, as of March 2020, federal rules allowed states to suspend the work requirement due to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). Since March 2020, FoodShare members in Wisconsin have not needed to meet this requirement to keep getting FoodShare benefits. With the end of the PHE in May 2023, that is now changing.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) recognizes that the FoodShare work requirement and its associated time limit have been suspended for a significant amount of time and reinstating the work requirement will present a difficult challenge for Wisconsin families. Therefore, starting July 1, 2023, the work requirement will be phased in over a nine-month period. Members who need to meet the FoodShare work requirement will be notified in advance.

DHS will assist members who may need to meet the work requirement by getting them important information in a timely manner. Starting on June 1, 2023, some FoodShare members will start getting a new letter that includes detailed information about the FoodShare basic work rules and the FoodShare work requirement.

When a member needs to meet the FoodShare work requirement, they will get another letter that will tell them. It will also include information on how to meet the requirement. More information about this letter is provided on the FoodShare Basic Work Rules and FoodShare Work Requirement Letter webpage.

More information about the FoodShare work requirement and how to meet it is located on the DHS website. A list of exemptions is also located on the DHS website.

Additional Resources

• During the nine-month phase-in period, more information about the FoodShare work requirement, how to meet it, and employment resources will be shared on the DHS website and through various communications channels.
• Throughout the pandemic, DHS continued to offer the voluntary and free FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET) program to support FoodShare members. FoodShare members will continue to have access to FSET after the work requirement returns.
• Job and training opportunities are available in Wisconsin through Wisconsin’s Job Centers. Visit the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s website for more information.
• Education and training opportunities are available through Wisconsin’s Technical College System.

Please do not respond to this email. The email box is not monitored and you will not receive a personal response. You are receiving this notification because you have asked to be added to the ForwardHealth Partners information list. For questions, please contact DHS ForwardHealth Partners. Thank you.