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Understanding Wisconsin's EBT Card System

Wisconsin's EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card is a debit card issued by the state that holds nutrition benefits for people who meet certain income and resource requirements. The card works like a regular debit card at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other authorized food retailers. Instead of paper vouchers or stamps like the old system, the EBT card makes it easier for people to purchase food while maintaining their privacy at checkout.

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The Wisconsin EBT system distributes benefits through two main programs. The first is FoodShare, which is Wisconsin's version of the federal SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). FoodShare helps people buy food to prepare at home, including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products, and grains. The second program is the Wisconsin Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which provides cash assistance for families with children and may also be loaded onto the EBT card.

As of 2024, approximately 560,000 Wisconsin residents receive FoodShare benefits, according to the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. This represents about 10% of the state's population. The average monthly FoodShare benefit per person in Wisconsin is around $150 to $200, depending on household size and income. The maximum benefit for a family of four with no income is approximately $939 per month.

The EBT card itself has no fee to obtain or use. The card is issued by the state at no cost to the person receiving benefits. There are no monthly maintenance fees, no transaction fees at point-of-sale, and no fees for checking your balance. This makes the EBT system very different from prepaid debit cards available to the general public, which often charge fees.

Practical takeaway: Understanding that an EBT card is simply a tool to access benefits you may be entitled to—not a special card that costs money—helps you recognize that the system is designed to be straightforward and accessible.

Income and Resource Limits in Wisconsin

Wisconsin uses federal guidelines to determine who may receive EBT benefits, but the state can set some of its own rules within those federal boundaries. Income limits are based on the federal poverty level and vary by household size. For FoodShare, Wisconsin counts all income sources that a household receives, including wages, self-employment income, Social Security, unemployment, child support, and other payments.

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For a household of one person, the gross monthly income limit for FoodShare is $1,410 per month (as of 2024). For a household of two people, the limit is $1,894. For a household of three, it is $2,379. For a household of four, it is $2,863. For each additional person in the household, add approximately $485. These are gross income limits, meaning income before taxes are taken out. However, Wisconsin subtracts certain costs from income when calculating benefits, including a standard deduction, costs for care of children or elderly family members, medical expenses, shelter costs, and dependent care expenses.

Resource limits are also part of the calculation. A household's resources include cash, bank accounts, and certain other assets. For most households, the resource limit is $2,750. For households with a member who is age 60 or older, or who has a disability, the resource limit is $4,250. A person's home and one vehicle do not count toward the resource limit. Personal property, retirement accounts, and some other assets also do not count.

Different rules apply for TANF cash assistance, which has lower income limits. TANF is available to families with children whose gross monthly income does not exceed 130% of the federal poverty level. For a family of three, this means a gross income limit of around $3,091 per month.

Practical takeaway: Knowing the specific numbers for your household size helps you understand whether you may be within the income and resource ranges that Wisconsin considers, without waiting to speak with someone at a local office.

How to Request and Receive Your Wisconsin EBT Card

In Wisconsin, the process to request an EBT card is managed through the local county or tribal TANF/FoodShare agency. There is no single statewide online system where you can request a card—instead, you must contact your county office. Wisconsin has county-based administration in all 72 counties, plus tribal nations that administer their own programs. The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families website provides a directory of county contacts organized by county name.

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The most common ways to request an EBT card or benefits include calling your county office, visiting in person, mailing in a request, or using your county's online portal if one exists. Many counties in Wisconsin have moved toward online portals called WISCONNECT, which allows you to submit information and track your case status from a computer or phone. However, not all counties have fully implemented online submission, so calling ahead to ask about the process for your specific county is recommended.

When you request an EBT card, you will need to provide information about your household income, household members, expenses, and assets. You may be asked for documents to verify this information, such as recent pay stubs, bank statements, rent receipts, identification, and proof of citizenship or legal residency. The specific documents requested depend on your individual situation. Your county office will let you know what documents they need.

Once your request is processed and you are determined to be within the income and resource limits, the EBT card is mailed to the address you provided. The card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days after approval. The card is personalized with your name and is mailed in a plain envelope to protect your privacy. Your benefits are loaded onto the card automatically each month, usually on the same day each month. In Wisconsin, most FoodShare benefits are loaded on the 1st through the 20th of each month, depending on the first letter of your last name.

Practical takeaway: Knowing that you start by contacting your specific county office, not a state-level office, saves you time and directs you to the right place to submit your request.

What Foods You Can and Cannot Buy With Your Wisconsin EBT Card

FoodShare benefits may be used to purchase certain types of food at authorized retailers. The basic rule is that you can buy food that is uncooked and will be prepared at home. This includes all fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products like milk and cheese, eggs, beans, nuts, bread, pasta, rice, cereal, and other grains. You can also purchase seeds and plants that produce food, such as tomato seeds or berry bushes.

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Foods you cannot buy with FoodShare include hot or prepared food from a deli, bakery items that are prepared in the store (like bakery cakes or rotisserie chicken), food eaten at a restaurant, vitamins and medicines, household items like soap or paper towels, pet food, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco products. Some prepared foods like frozen pizza or canned soup are allowed because they are uncooked and meant to be prepared at home.

FoodShare may be used at grocery stores, supermarkets, farmers markets, and some smaller grocery stores and food co-ops. To find authorized retailers near you, Wisconsin maintains a directory on the state website. The directory allows you to search by county or city. In Wisconsin, farmers markets are authorized retailers, and you can use your EBT card to buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and plants directly from farmers. Some Wisconsin farmers markets also offer incentive programs that match your FoodShare dollars—for example, for every $5 you spend with EBT, the market gives you an extra $5 in scrip to spend on produce.

If a store is not authorized to accept FoodShare, it simply cannot process the EBT card for food purchases. This includes convenience stores that do not have fresh produce, many gas stations, and stores that focus on non-food items. If you find an unauthorized store that you think should be authorized, you can report it to your county office.

Practical takeaway: Understanding the difference between allowed and not-allowed foods before you shop prevents frustration at the checkout and helps you make intentional purchases that stretch your benefits.

Managing Your Wisconsin EBT Card Balance and Benefits

Wisconsin provides several ways to check your EBT card balance, so you always know how much is available to spend. The easiest method is to call the Wisconsin EBT Customer Service line at 1-888-328-8366. You will need your card

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