Gazette Staff

PORTAGE COUNTY — Wisconsin food and nutrition programs will continue despite the government shutdown, according to a Portage County Health & Human Services press release.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced that funding for February benefits will be available for current FoodShare members, those participating in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), despite the federal government shutdown.

“During this time of uncertainty, Wisconsin residents should be assured that FoodShare, WIC, and other federally funded food assistance programs will continue uninterrupted through February,” said DHS Secretary-Designee Andrea Palm. “Our top priority is to ensure the needs of Wisconsin residents are met and to share information with members, partners, and stakeholders as the situation evolves.”

Foodshare

FoodShare members will get their February benefits loaded onto their QUEST cards as soon as Jan. 20, and there will not be an additional benefit in February.

“FoodShare members will need to budget their benefits and plan accordingly.” as stated in the press release.

-Wisconsinites can submit new FoodShare applications during the shutdown, however federal funding for benefits has not yet been guaranteed. FoodShare benefits are 100 percent federally funded. DHS will be posting up-to-date information on the DHS FoodShare webpage.

WIC

Participants in the Women, Infants and Children program, which provides nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, supplemental nutritious foods, and referrals to other health and nutrition services, will receive their benefits in February. All retailers will be paid for February. DHS will be posting up-to-date information on the DHS WIC webpage.

TEFAP

The Emergency Food Assistance Program, which provides food to pantries and meal sites, will continue to do so through February. DHS will be posting up-to-date information on the DHS TEFAP webpage.

CSFP

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program will continue to offer free, nutritious foods to low-income seniors aged 60 and older through February. The monthly food package is intended to supplement to a complete diet. DHS will be posting up-to-date information on the DHS CSFP webpage.

The FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET) Program, FoodShare Outreach, and the SNAP-Ed program will not be impacted in February. Health care benefits provided under BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid, and SeniorCare are not impacted by the federal government shutdown.

For more information please contact Jennifer Miller/Elizabeth Goodsitt at 608-266-1683.