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News Release: News Release: Electronic Food Stamp Benefit Rollout Continues
We've got NEWS
Thursday, April 6, 2000
Governor
Tommy G. Thompson
Secretary
Linda Stewart

News Media Contact
Rachel Biittner
608/266-8710
e-mail: news@dwd.state.wi.us
fax: 608/266-1784

  
ELECTRONIC FOOD STAMP BENEFIT ROLLOUT CONTINUES
This month in the Fox Valley and surrounding counties

MADISON—Wisconsin’s new Quest Card will soon be available to food stamp recipients in Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Sheboygan, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago counties as the rollout of the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) continues.

In early April, food stamp recipients will receive an appointment letter in the mail, which directs them to their local agency for training and card pick-up.  If the recipient is unable to make the appointment, they are instructed to call their local agency to reschedule.  A local phone number is provided.

"We encourage recipients to attend their scheduled appointment, to ensure they receive necessary training with their Quest Card and are able to choose their personal identification number (PIN)," said Department of Workforce Development Secretary Linda Stewart.  "But if they are unable to attend, they should call their local agency to schedule a more convenient time."

Traditional food stamps are being phased out in favor of the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Quest Card.  The card is indistinguishable from a bank debit or credit card and will be reloaded each month with a recipient’s total benefits.

"The new Quest Card will eliminate the stigma people feel when using paper food stamps, reduce the potential for fraud and improve the turnaround time for grocer reimbursement," Secretary Linda Stewart said.

Current recipients in this three county area will need to have their Quest cards to access their food stamp benefits as they become available over the period of May 2nd-15th.  They will be informed of their specific benefit availability date at the training sessions.
  

Counties

Food Stamp Caseload

Grocers

Brown

           1666

     80

Calumet

            146

     14

Door

            183

     10

Florence

             59

       4

Fond du Lac

            637

     34

Green Lake

           158

       9

Kewaunee

           101

       5

Manitowoc

           444

     33

Marinette

           454

     21

Oconto

           284

     16

Outagamie

           649

     46

Shawano

           334

     27

Sheboygan

           621

     28

Waupaca

           321

     23

Waushara

           291

     11

Winnebago

         1109

     43

Oneida Tribe

             82

 

Stockbridge- Munsee

             24

 

  
The EBT rollout is expected to be complete all across Wisconsin by the end of October.

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