The income limit is the most important food stamps (SNAP) eligibility requirement in Wisconsin. In this post, In this post, we are going to walk you through the 2023 income limit for Wisconsin food stamps, including how to calculate how much you will receive in SNAP benefits if approved.
Additionally, we will provide information on how to apply for food stamps in Wisconsin.
Lastly, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about SNAP benefits in Wisconsin.
Table of Contents:
- Food Stamps in Wisconsin
- Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in Wisconsin
- 2023 Income Limit for Wisconsin Food Stamps
- How to Apply for Food Stamps in Wisconsin
- Food Stamps in Wisconsin FAQs
Food Stamps in Wisconsin
SNAP (also known as food stamps) offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families in Wisconsin.
In Wisconsin, the SNAP program is run by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS).
Once you are approved, SNAP benefits are provided on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, that is used as a debit card.
EBT cards are accepted at most grocery stores, some farmers’ markets, convenience, big box stores, and some online stores, like Walmart and Amazon.
SNAP benefits generally cannot be used to buy prepared foods, vitamins, alcohol/tobacco, and non-food items (like soap or toothpaste).
Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in Wisconsin?
To be eligible for SNAP in Wisconsin, a household must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be a citizen or legal immigrant
- Must be a Wisconsin resident
- Your household income must be less than the food stamps income limits for your household size (see chart below)
- With some exceptions, you must work or participate in an employment and training program
- For most households, resources must be under $2,750 to qualify for SNAP or $4,250 in countable resources if at least one member of the household is age 60 or older, or is disabled
2023 Income Limit for Wisconsin Food Stamps
To qualify for SNAP in Wisconsin, your household income must not exceed 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
You can find out if you may qualify by using the 2022/2023 table below.
Income limits vary according to household size.
Households that contain no elderly or disabled individuals must meet both the gross (income before deduction) and the net income (income after allowable deductions) limits.
However, households that contain an elderly (age 60 or over) individual or a disabled individual must meet only the net income limits.
See the table below for both the net and gross income limits according to household size.
| Wisconsin Food Stamps Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2023 | |||
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |||
| Household Size | Monthly Net Income Limit (100% of FPL) | Monthly Gross Income Limit (130% of FPL) – Reporting Limit | Monthly Gross Income Limit (200% of FPL) |
| 1 | $1,133 | $1,473 | $2,266 |
| 2 | $1,526 | $1,984 | $3,052 |
| 3 | $1,920 | $2,495 | $3,840 |
| 4 | $2,313 | $3,007 | $4,626 |
| 5 | $2,706 | $3,518 | $5,412 |
| 6 | $3,100 | $4,029 | $6,200 |
| 7 | $3,493 | $4,541 | $6,986 |
| 8 | $3,886 | $5,052 | $7,772 |
| 9 | $4,280 | $5,564 | $8,560 |
| 10 | $4,674 | $6,076 | $9,348 |
| Each Additional Household Member, Add: | $394 | $512 | $788 |
How to Apply for Food Stamps in Wisconsin
There are multiple ways you can apply for food stamps in Wisconsin.
Option 1 – Apply Online
The easiest way to apply for SNAP benefits is online through the Wisconsin ACCESS website.
Visit https://access.wisconsin.gov/access/ and select “Apply now.”
Option 2 – Apply by Mail or Fax an Application
To apply by mail or fax, download the SNAP application here.
Once you have completed the application, you can submit it by mail or fax.
Instructions on how to do so are included in the application.
Also, you can request an application to be mailed to you by calling 1-800-362-3002.
Option 3 – Apply in Person
If you are unable to apply online or by mail, the DHS has offices statewide to assist you with the application process.
Click here to find your local office.
Food Stamps in Wisconsin FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Wisconsin Food Stamps:
What is the Phone Number for Wisconsin Food Stamps?
If you need help applying for food stamps in Wisconsin or have further questions about how the SNAP program works, call Customer Call Center at 1-800-362-3002.
How Much Will I Receive in Wisconsin Food Stamps?
If you are approved for food stamps in Wisconsin, how much in benefits you get partly depends on the:
- Number of people in your household,
- The total amount of your household’s income, and
- U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Thrifty Food Plan.
The Thrifty Food Plan is a government estimate of how much it costs to provide a household with nutritious, low-cost meals.
In Wisconsin, the average monthly SNAP amount per person is approximately $198.
| Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for Fiscal Year 2023 | |
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment |
| 1 | $281 |
| 2 | $516 |
| 3 | $740 |
| 4 | $939 |
| 5 | $1,116 |
| 6 | $1,339 |
| 7 | $1,480 |
| 8 | $1,691 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $211 |
To find out how much you are likely to get in Wisconsin SNAP if approved, use the calculator below.
In the example provided below, we are using a family of 6 to demonstrate how to calculate your food stamps amount.
How Wisconsin Food Stamps Calculator
Here’s how to calculate how much a family of 6 will get in SNAP benefits.
First, we need to start with the household income.
If you have a countable net income, multiply your net monthly income by 0.3 (30 percent).
Round up this amount to the nearest dollar.
Next, take this amount and subtract it from the maximum benefit level for a household of your size.
From the table above, the maximum a household of 6 could receive in food stamps is $1,339
The result is the monthly food stamps benefits for a family of 6.
Here’s an example:
Example: Emma and her family of six (6) have $2,260 in net income after allowable deductions.
To determine the family’s SNAP benefits, take 30% of the “net income” (30% of $2,260) and subtract it from the maximum benefit, as follows:
$ 2,260 Net Income for Emma’s family
x .30 (Multiply by 30%)
$ 678 Countable Income
$ 1,339 Maximum SNAP for 6 persons
-$678 Countable income (round up)
$ 661 Monthly SNAP benefits for Emma’s family
When are Wisconsin EBT benefits deposited?
Wisconsin food stamps benefits are deposited on your WI EBT Card on your scheduled deposit day. Wisconsin EBT Deposit Dates are sent out during the first 15 days of each month.
The day your Wisconsin food stamp benefits are deposited depends on the eighth digit in your Social Security Number (SSN).
Food Stamp benefits will be made available in your Wisconsin EBT Card account by 5am on your scheduled deposit day.
Here is the Wisconsin SNAP EBT Deposit Schedule for 2023:
| If the 8th digit of your Social Security Number is: |
SNAP EBT benefits are available on the:
|
| 0 |
2nd day of the month
|
| 1 |
3rd day of the month
|
| 2 |
5th day of the month
|
| 3 |
6th day of the month
|
| 4 |
8th day of the month
|
| 5 |
9th day of the month
|
| 6 |
11th day of the month
|
| 7 |
12th day of the month
|
| 8 |
14th day of the month
|
| 9 |
15th day of the month
|
How Many People are on Food Stamps in Wisconsin?
| Number of People on Food Stamps in Wisconsin | |||
| As of September 2022 | |||
| September 2021 | September 2022 | Change | |
| Number of People | 765,074 | 692,414 | -9.5% |
| Number of Households | 406,886 | 364,640 | -10.4% |
| Total Benefits ($) | $177,366,567.00 | $166,276,429.00 | -6.3% |
United States Food Stamps Statistics for January 2023:
| Number of People on Food Stamps in The United States | |||
| As of September 2022 | |||
| September 2021 | September 2022 | Change | |
| Number of People | 40,846,833 | 41,665,296 | 2.0% |
| Number of Households | 21,402,558 | 21,907,553 | 2.4% |
| Total Benefits ($) | $9,117,810,630.00 | $9,338,989,005.00 | 2.4% |
What stores accept Wisconsin EBT online for delivery?
Currently, there are 15 stores that accept Wisconsin EBT Cards online as payment.
You can use your WI EBT Card and food stamp benefits to purchase approved grocery items and have it delivered directly to your door.
However, your Wisconsin SNAP benefits cannot be use to pay for delivery fees.
Currently, the following stores accept Wisconsin food stamps and EBT Cards online:
- ALDI
- Amazon
- Capital Centre Market
- County Market
- Lou Perrine’s Gas and Grocery
- Marketplace Foods
- Meijer
- Miller and Son’s Supermarket
- Ptacek’s IGA
- Sam’s Club Scan & Go
- Schnuck’s Market
- Target
- Walmart
- Whole Foods
- Woodman’s Markets
What can I buy with my Wisconsin EBT Card?
Wisconsin Quest EBT Cardholders can use their food stamp benefits to purchase a variety of items, including:
- Breads and cereals
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meats, fish, and poultry
- Dairy products
- Snack foods
- Non-alcoholic drinks.
- Seeds and plants to grow food
You cannot use your Wisconsin EBT Card to purchase:
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
- Vitamins, medicines, or supplements
- Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered prior to pick-up from the store)
- Hot foods (food cooked and served hot at the store)
- Food that can be eaten in the store
- Any nonfood items such as:
- Pet food
- Cleaning supplies
- Paper products
- Other household supplies.
- Cosmetics
- Hygiene items such as soap and toothpaste
Income Limit for Wisconsin Food Stamps Summary
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If you have additional questions about the Wisconsin SNAP or EBT, please leave those in the comments section below. We are here to help you!
Be sure to check out our other articles about Wisconsin Food Stamps and EBT, including:
- How to Check Wisconsin EBT Card Balance
- Wisconsin EBT Card Discounts & Free Admissions
- How to Buy Groceries Online with Wisconsin EBT
- Grocery Stores that Accept EBT online
- How to Get 50% off Amazon Prime with EBT
- Eligible Food Stamps Items