FoodShare Wisconsin (SNAP)
Last updated August 2026
FoodShare is what Wisconsin calls SNAP. It puts monthly food money on a QUEST card you swipe like a debit card at the grocery store. The fastest way in is online at access.wisconsin.gov, the ACCESS portal, and the same application also screens you for health coverage, housing, and child care help. You can also apply by phone at 1-800-362-3002, or in person, or by mail.
The income line is wider than the old federal story. Wisconsin uses a gross monthly limit of 200 percent of the federal poverty level: through September 2026 that is $2,610 for one person, $3,526 for two, $4,442 for three, $5,360 for four, plus $918 for each additional member. Older adults and disabled people who cannot buy and prepare their own food may qualify under different limits.
One rule to remember after you enroll: if your gross income later rises above the 130 percent line, you must tell your agency. That is $1,696 a month for one person. It is a reporting duty, not an automatic cutoff, so report it and let the agency do the math.
The money is real, and the maximums for 2026 run $298 a month for one person, $546 for two, $785 for three, $994 for four. Your actual amount is reduced by counted income after deductions, so the county runs your real numbers. Applying for or getting FoodShare does not affect a noncitizen's immigration status.
The QUEST card arrives in the mail with instructions to set a four-digit PIN. Check your balance in the ebtEDGE app or at 877-415-5164. It buys food at stores, some farmers markets, and online at Amazon, Walmart, ALDI, Target, and others, though it never pays delivery fees.
One change to note: starting March 1, 2026, cards default to working only in Wisconsin and the bordering states of Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota. If you travel farther, change the card's security settings first. And if food is short today, dial 2-1-1 for the nearest pantry.
Phone 1-800-362-3002
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Income-based; most households qualify with gross monthly income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, and your local agency runs the exact numbers
- Working families, older adults, and people with disabilities with limited income may qualify
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Apply online at access.wisconsin.gov, by phone at 1-800-362-3002, or in person at your agency.
- 2
Complete the interview and send any documents your agency requests.
- 3
Set the PIN on your QUEST card when it arrives, and check the balance in ebtEDGE.
- 4
Report to your agency if your gross income later rises above the 130 percent line.
What to have ready
- Photo ID for the person applying
- Proof of income for everyone in the household
- Proof of where you live and your housing costs. Your agency confirms the exact list.
What the application looks like
Common questions
What is the income limit for FoodShare?
Gross monthly income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level: $2,610 for one person, $5,360 for four, through September 2026. Different limits apply for some older or disabled households.
How much does FoodShare pay?
Maximums for 2026 are $298 a month for one person, $546 for two, $785 for three, $994 for four. Your amount is reduced by counted income after deductions.
How do I apply?
Online at access.wisconsin.gov, by phone at 1-800-362-3002, in person, or by mail. One application also screens for health, housing, and child care help.
Can I use my QUEST card outside Wisconsin?
Starting March 1, 2026, cards default to Wisconsin and bordering states (Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota). To use it elsewhere, change the card's security settings first.
Does FoodShare affect my immigration status?
No. Applying for or receiving FoodShare or BadgerCare Plus does not affect a noncitizen's immigration status. Only cash assistance and Medicaid-paid long-term care are public-charge relevant.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
See all Wisconsin programs →Free · Private · No account needed