LRB-0487/1
PJK:jld:jd
2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE
April 22, 2015 - Introduced by Representatives Jacque, Kerkman, Kremer, Allen,
Ballweg, E. Brooks, R. Brooks, Craig, Czaja, Edming, Gannon, Heaton,
Horlacher, Kleefisch, Knodl, Knudson, Kulp, T. Larson, Murphy, Mursau,
Neylon, A. Ott, Petersen, Quinn, Ripp and Steffen, cosponsored by Senators
Cowles, Gudex and Lasee. Referred to Committee on Public Benefit Reform.
AB188,1,3
1An Act to create 49.79 (11) of the statutes;
relating to: removing FoodShare
2benefits from an inactive account and expunging unused benefits after one
3year.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as
FoodShare in Wisconsin and formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, provides
benefits to eligible low-income households for the purchase of food. FoodShare is
administered by the Department of Health Services (DHS). The state and the federal
government share the cost of administration. Benefits, which are electronically
debited to a Quest card, are paid entirely with federal funds. Any benefit amount
that is not used in the month of receipt is carried over and may be used by the
recipient for up to one year.
This bill requires DHS to remove and store offline all FoodShare benefits posted
to a recipient's benefit account if the account has not been accessed in six months or
longer. The benefits must be made available again to the recipient if the recipient
requests them or reapplies for FoodShare benefits, whichever is appropriate under
the circumstances. DHS must attempt to notify the recipient before removing the
benefits and must describe how the benefits may be returned to the account. The bill
also directs DHS to expunge any FoodShare benefits that have not been used after
one year, regardless of whether the benefits are being stored offline or are posted to
active accounts.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB188,1
1Section
1. 49.79 (11) of the statutes is created to read:
AB188,2,142
49.79
(11) Treatment of inactive accounts; expungement of unused benefits. 3(a) If, for a period of 6 months or longer, an individual or household that is receiving
4benefits under this section through an electronic benefit transfer system uses no
5benefits that have been posted to the individual's or household's benefit account, the
6department shall remove all benefits from the account electronically and store them
7offline. The benefits being stored offline shall be made available to the individual or
8household again within 48 hours after a request by the individual or a member of the
9household to restore the benefits or upon reapplication by the individual or
10household for benefits under this section, whichever is appropriate under the
11circumstances. The department shall attempt to notify the individual or household
12before benefits are removed from the account under this paragraph and shall
13describe the steps that the individual or household must take to get the benefits
14returned to the account.
AB188,2,1615
(b) The department shall expunge any benefits that have not been used after
16a period of one year, regardless of whether either of the following applies:
AB188,2,1817
1. The benefits have been removed from an inactive benefit account under par.
18(a) and are being stored offline.
AB188,2,1919
2. The benefits are still posted to an active account.
