Wisconsin To Lose $50 Million A Month In Food Aid

WISCONSIN—The Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision to strike down public health emergencies related to the pandemic will result in a loss of tens of millions in food help for Wisconsinites, according to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as FoodShare in Wisconsin, is the nation’s largest federal nutrition program.

FoodShare helps get people out of food pantries and into the grocery store. Nearly 40 percent of individuals receiving FoodShare in Wisconsin are children.

That assistance will soon be slashed.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers' public health emergency declaration Wednesday. Through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Congress authorized emergency increases to SNAP/FoodShare benefits. The emergency allottments allow all SNAP households to receive the maximum SNAP benefit each month.

For example, a senior who was receiving $16 a month in SNAP now receives the maximum allotment of $234.

To receive emergency allotments, there must be both a state and a federal public health emergency. Wisconsin SNAP/FoodShare households will no longer be eligible for the emergency allotments due to the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision today, Feeding America said.

“Today’s decision will further increase hunger in Wisconsin,” said Patti Habeck, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin president and CEO. “Many of the families and individuals in our communities have been relying on these additional funds during the pandemic. Given the drastic increase in the numbers of people we are serving due to the pandemic, FoodShare has helped relieve some of the tremendous pressure on the food bank and the emergency food system as a whole. Families will now be more reliant on local pantries and mobile pantries.”

While the vaccine rollout continues and many states are seeing declines in COVID-19 positive cases, the fallout from the pandemic is still incredibly present, especially in poor and food-insecure communities, Feeding America said.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2021, about 42 million Americans may not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.