Food Assistance Now Available for More Wisconsin Residents

Marshfield (OnFocus)- The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced today that eligibility for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) has changed, allowing more households to access free, locally grown, Grade-A food.

The food products are now available to households with incomes below 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL).

For example, in a single-person household, any income that earns less than $38,280 in one year is now eligible to receive these benefits. This is a vast increase in eligibility, as the previous threshold was 185%, or $23,606.

With an almost $15,000 gap increase, TEFAP is ensuring that more Wisconsin families with limited or unreliable jobs at this time will still be able to provide food for their families.

“Good nutrition is foundational, and we want to help ensure families in need of assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic have access,” said DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm. “By increasing the income limit for TEFAP, more Wisconsinites can receive or supplement their food supplies without risk of losing the benefits they receive from other programs.”

Other programs that will not be affected by this TEFAP change include the FoodShare, School Nutrition, WIC, and Senior Meals programs.

Only proof of address and identification are required to enroll in this program, and eligible patrons remain confidential.

This change was implemented on June 1st and will be effective on the first day the food pantries open this month.

To find the nearest food pantry to you, call 2-1-1 for the address, phone number, and hours of service.

These services are deemed ‘no contact’ food distribution for safe assistance during the Covid-19 pandemic.