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FoodShare benefits will be delayed, DHS says
The Wisconsin DHS on Friday night announced FoodShare benefits will continue to be delayed, saying the Trump administration must release funds first.
MILWAUKEE - The Wisconsin Department of Health Services on Friday night announced FoodShare benefits will continue to be delayed, saying the Trump administration must release funds before it can issue benefits.
Wisconsin responds
What we know:
SNAP, also commonly known as food stamps, provides grocery money for nearly 700,000 Wisconsin residents. It's known as FoodShare in the state. Nationwide, it helps nearly 1 in 8 Americans.
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Two federal judges ruled earlier Friday that the Trump administration must replenish Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits despite the ongoing government shutdown. That ruling was in response to a lawsuit brought by a coalition of states, including Wisconsin, and the District of Wisconsin.
"This is a critical step toward limiting the harm from the lawless effort to shut down SNAP funding prematurely," Attorney General Josh Kaul said in a statement. "It is imperative that the Trump administration now move as quickly as possible to address the mess that its baseless position has created so that November SNAP benefits aren’t delayed any more than the administration has already made necessary."
Due to the ongoing government shutdown, Gov. Tony Evers also declared a state of emergency in Wisconsin. The declaration prohibits price gouging statewide, among other things.
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What we don't know:
It's unclear how quickly the federal government will replenish SNAP benefits, how much will be disbursed or whether the Trump administration will appeal the court rulings.
President Donald Trump, in a Truth Social post after the rulings, said that he "does not think we have the legal authority to pay SNAP with certain monies we have available."
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Pantry sees need spike ahead of SNAP ruling
Two federal judges ruled the federal government must replenish SNAP benefits. In Milwaukee, a food pantry saw a spike in need ahead of Nov. 1.
Wisconsin in need
Local perspective:
People who rely on SNAP benefits were worried, and food pantries had been getting ready, ahead of Nov. 1.
El Bethel Church of God in Milwaukee said its food pantry saw a spike in need. Normally, they help roughly 100 people – but this week, it was more than 300.
READ MORE: SNAP benefits gone? How to get free or discounted groceries
"They're literally coming in car loads, van loads. The need has become, as well as the fear of what's getting ready to happen, has caused us to have a huge increase of people that is coming, that's looking to put food on their table," said Pastor Steven Tipton.
"I'm a mother of seven. I'm a manager. I work over 60 hours a week, and I tell y'all, it's so hard with being a single mom," said Natasha Prescott, a SNAP benefit recipient. "Now, due to this government shutdown, I have to work 90 hours. I don't see my kids. My kids don't see me no more."
Brown Deer woman makes pizza kits to help families facing food aid cutoff
As the federal government shutdown drags on, families in Wisconsin are bracing for the loss of food benefits – and in Brown Deer, neighbors are stepping in with a unique solution: pizza kits.
Addressing needs
What you can do:
Organizations like The Salvation Army, Hunger Task Force and Feeding America have food pantries. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has resources and information available about FoodShare, which is what SNAP is called in Wisconsin.
If you would like to help those in need, there are a number of places to donate food around Milwaukee – including all Milwaukee Public Schools and Milwaukee Police Department district stations. A full list is available on the city's website.
In the event of a food emergency, text MKEfood to 898-211, call 211, or visit the IMPACT, Inc. website.
Emergency declaration
What they're saying:
In a statement announcing his emergency declaration, Evers wrote:
"Wisconsinites and Americans across the country are now scrambling, trying to figure out how to feed their families. There’s no excuse for it, and this is a direct result of Republicans in Congress and the Trump Administration, who’ve done nothing to help. As the courts agree, the Trump Administration could’ve stopped this from happening, but they didn’t, and now, Wisconsin’s kids, families, and seniors are worried about whether or when they’re going to eat next. This shouldn’t be happening. Period.
"I have always promised to do the right thing, and my executive order will ensure our state agencies can do whatever they can within our power to help support kids, families, farmers, seniors, veterans, and so many others across our state, including cracking down on price gouging on everyday things folks need.
"But here’s the bottom line for me: Wisconsinites are sick and tired of the excuses Congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration are making out in Washington. The federal government shutdown has gone on long enough—it has to end.
"Republicans must start working across the aisle to end the federal government shutdown and extend tax credits that will lower the cost of healthcare so Wisconsinites and Americans across our country have economic stability and certainty. And the Trump Administration must take action and do so quickly to fix the damage they’ve caused and ensure folks can get basic food and groceries they need to survive without any further delay."
The Source: FOX6 News referenced information from interviews, The Associated Press, the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Department of Health Service and prior coverage related to SNAP and the government shutdown.