Skip Header
 wisconsin.gov
home state
agencies subject
directory
|
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development |
|
Call Us For Help | About DWD | News | Documents | Sitemap |
| We've got NEWS |
|---|
| Thursday, June 1, 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 northern Wisconsin counties
MADISON—Wisconsin’s new Quest Card will soon be available to food stamp recipients in Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, and Washburn counties and two tribal areas, as the rollout of the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) continues.
In early June, 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 10 county area will need to have their Quest cards to access their food stamp benefits as they become available over the period of July 2nd-15th. They will be informed of their specific benefit availability date at the training sessions.
Counties Food Stamp
CaseloadGrocers Ashland 456 21 Bayfield 181 18 Burnett 209 13 Douglas 895 36 Iron 87 6 Price 305 12 Rusk 237 16 Sawyer 309 15 Taylor 239 12 Washburn 232 14 Red Cliff Tribe Bad River Tribe
The EBT rollout is expected to be complete all across Wisconsin by the end of October.