Wisconsin calls SNAP FoodShare, administered by the Department of Health Services, with benefits delivered on the Wisconsin QUEST card and applications processed through ACCESS.wisconsin.gov. FoodShare eligibility is based on household income, size, and shelter costs, with several sources describing Wisconsin as using Broad Based Categorical Eligibility at 200 percent of the federal poverty level with no asset test for most households.
This guide is independently written and is not affiliated with USDA, OPM, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, or the official federal Feds Feed Families campaign.
What SNAP in Wisconsin Is Called and Who Runs It
FoodShare is Wisconsin's name for SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, administered by the state Department of Health Services through county and tribal agencies organized into regional consortiums. Recipients receive a Wisconsin QUEST card, a plastic debit-style card used to buy food at participating stores.
Income Limits
- What SNAP in Wisconsin Is Called and Who Runs It
- Income Limits
- Maximum Benefit Amounts
- How to Apply
- Important 2026 Card Security Change
- Where FoodShare Can Be Used
- If You Need a Temporary Card
- FAQ
- What is SNAP called in Wisconsin?
- How do I apply for FoodShare?
- What changed about using my QUEST card out of state in 2026?
- Can I use FoodShare for Meals on Wheels or a CSA program?
Income is considered for every member of what Wisconsin calls the "Food Unit," meaning the people who live together and purchase and prepare food together for home consumption. If your family's monthly income rises above 130 percent of the federal poverty level, official Wisconsin guidance specifically instructs you to notify your FoodShare agency right away, since failing to report an income change could result in benefits being paid incorrectly, terminated, or needing to be repaid.
Maximum Benefit Amounts
Wisconsin households use the same federal maximum allotment table applied across the 48 contiguous states, ranging from $298 a month for one person to $994 a month for a family of four for federal fiscal year 2026.
How to Apply
- Online through ACCESS.wisconsin.gov, selecting "Apply for benefits"
- By phone by calling your county or tribal agency, or the Great Rivers Call Center at 888-283-0012 in participating regions
- By mail using paper Form F-16019
- In person by visiting your local agency office
After applying, you'll complete an interview by phone, or you can ask to meet in person at your agency office instead. The MyACCESS mobile app lets you manage benefits, check your balance, and upload required verification documents from your phone.
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Important 2026 Card Security Change
Starting March 1, 2026, Wisconsin's default QUEST card security settings only allow use within Wisconsin and its five bordering states, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota. If you need to use your card outside this region, whether traveling or temporarily staying elsewhere, you'll need to proactively change your card's security settings first, since the restriction is now the default rather than an optional feature you turn on.
Where FoodShare Can Be Used
Beyond grocery stores and farmers markets, Wisconsin's QUEST card can also be used to pay for Meals on Wheels and qualified Community Supported Agriculture programs, a somewhat distinctive feature compared to some other states. Wisconsin's FoodShare Market Match program also provides a dollar-for-dollar match for fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets, up to a set amount per visit.
If You Need a Temporary Card
If you need immediate access to benefits and cannot wait for a permanent card to arrive by mail, such as after being approved for expedited benefits or if your card is lost or stolen, filling out a Temporary QUEST Card Request form at your agency may allow staff to issue a temporary card on the spot, though this isn't guaranteed for every situation.
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FAQ
What is SNAP called in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin calls the program FoodShare, with benefits delivered on the Wisconsin QUEST card.
How do I apply for FoodShare?
Apply online through ACCESS.wisconsin.gov, by phone through your county or tribal agency, by mail using paper Form F-16019, or in person at your local agency office.
What changed about using my QUEST card out of state in 2026?
Starting March 1, 2026, the default security setting only allows use in Wisconsin and its five bordering states. Traveling further requires proactively changing your card's security settings first.
Can I use FoodShare for Meals on Wheels or a CSA program?
Yes. Wisconsin's QUEST card can be used to pay for Meals on Wheels and qualified Community Supported Agriculture programs, in addition to standard grocery and farmers market purchases.
Sources: Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Wisconsin Law Help, Hunger Task Force.