For reprint by the GWAAR Legal Services Team
Starting September 17, 2023, unused FoodShare benefits may expire if a person has not used their QUEST or EBT card in the past 274 days (about nine months). The previous rule allowed 365 days (one year) before benefits expired.
You do not have to spend down all FoodShare benefits within nine months, nor is there a minimum transaction amount you must make for your card to remain active. You can still use your QUEST card if there are benefits on it, even if you are no longer eligible for FoodShare.
A person will get notice before their unused benefits will be removed from their account (called expungement). In August, people with benefits at risk of expiring in September because of the policy changes, were sent a letter. It included the current account balance, what to do to not lose their benefits, and options for assistance. Those in households that have a cell phone number on file with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) will also get a text message alert.
DHS has also added information about why benefits expire and how to prevent it from happening to the letters sent to households after 60 days of EBT card inactivity and about two months before they are scheduled to lose benefits.
More Information:
- If current or former members can’t find their EBT card or their card is damaged, they can call QUEST Card Customer Service at 1-877-415-5164 and ask for a new one. QUEST Card Customer Service can also provide assistance with establishing a new PIN, checking account balances, and reporting lost or stolen cards.
- Current or former FoodShare members that have questions regarding their program eligibility or benefits can check their benefits, see how they’ve used them, and learn about upcoming deposits by logging into ACCESS or by using the MyACCESS app. The MyACCESS mobile app is free on the App Store or Google Play.
- FoodShare members can also call their IM agency.
- Members can check the amount on their card at any time by going to the ebtEDGE website.
