Want FoodShare benefits? New requirements mean some will have to work to qualify

RACINE COUNTY (WITI) -- Wisconsin's FoodShare program...has new rules. Some people will have to go to work to receive benefits. Statewide, the new rules take effect in January 2015 -- but the new requirements already apply to three counties in southeastern Wisconsin.

Racine County is one of three counties already requiring some of its residents on FoodShare to work or enroll in job training.

Up until now, Wisconsin has waived the requirement.

"Starting with this new state budget 2014-2015, July 1st, that waiver is no longer in play," Jonathan Delagrave, with Racine County Human Services said.

The new FoodShare requirements take effect statewide next year, but Racine, Kenosha and Walworth counties have already begun.

The next time an able-bodied adult without children renews their FoodShare membership, the individual must have a plan to work 20 hours a week.

"Having a job, a paid job, community service or you could enroll in a work program such as the Food Stamp Employment Training Program," Delagrave said.

Lucille Falkner and Diane Moses are enrolled in the FoodShare program.

"I think it's good in a way, because people that need it -- they need to make a lot of changes. People that work still can get it and people that don't work can do training and still feed their families," Falkner said.

The new requirements don't apply to Falkner and Moses because they have families.

"It's helping yourself to supply, to make sure you can pay your bills and take care of yourself as well," Moses said.

The change was approved last year -- and is expected to affect 2,000 people in Racine County -- out of the 17,000 currently on FoodShare.

"80 hours a month is not much. We can get out and look for a job. If you need assistance, you've got to work for it," Aaron Lewis said.

This change was approved last year.

No Democrat on the Legislature's Budget Committee voted for it.