Gov. Evers Delivers Radio Address Encouraging Wisconsinites to Take Care of One Another Amidst Ongoing Federal Government Shutdown and Lapse in FoodShare Benefits

Audio File of Radio Address.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered his weekly radio address encouraging Wisconsinites to take care of one and sharing resources available to folks and families who are struggling as the federal government enters Day 37 of Republicans’ shutdown, now the longest federal government shutdown in history, and as the Trump Administration has both reduced and delayed critical food assistance for the nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites, including nearly 270,000 kids, who depend on Wisconsin FoodShare, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), for basic food and groceries.

While two judges have ordered the Trump Administration to release at least partial funding for the FoodShare program, FoodShare for the month of November will still be delayed due to the Trump Administration’s more complex and time and resource intensive decision to provide only partial benefits instead of full benefits for the month. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is committed to working as quickly as possible to get information to vendors to ensure funds are distributed as soon as possible.

Additionally, last week, the governor signed Executive Order #278 declaring a state of emergency and a period of abnormal economic disruption in the state of Wisconsin due to the ongoing federal government shutdown and a lapse in FoodShare benefits, which are jeopardizing access to critical resources and programs that are necessary for the health, safety, well-being, and economic security of Wisconsinites. The governor’s executive order directs state agencies to take any and all necessary measures to ensure Wisconsin can address the state of emergency, including but not limited to prohibiting price gouging due to loss of FoodShare funding and continuing economic disruptions, ensuring relevant resources are readily available for Wisconsinites and the state, and state agencies can utilize every available tool and resource to support Wisconsinites through impacts of the federal government shutdown. The governor’s executive order can be found here.

Gov. Evers continues to encourage Wisconsinites across the state to contact their congressional representatives and urge support for ending the federal government shutdown, extending key programs that help lower healthcare costs, and preventing hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites from going hungry. Wisconsinites can go to www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member and enter their address to find the contact information for their congressional representative and senators.

Any Wisconsinite who needs additional food or infant formula for their house or family can reach out to 211 for information and referrals to local services. Anyone can use 211 to get help by:

• Dialing 211 or 877-947-2211.
• Visiting their website at 211wisconsin.communityos.org. Through the website, people can search for services or chat with someone online who can help.
• Texting their ZIP code to 898211.

DHS also encourages Medicaid and FoodShare members to make sure their phone number, email, and mailing address on file are up to date by going to the ACCESS.wi.gov website or the smartphone app. The department will announce some of the changes broadly, as appropriate, using channels like the Medicaid news webpage, FoodShare news webpage, social media, news releases, and email.

Importantly, please note that Wisconsin WIC is currently available, and based on the information available at this time, November benefits will also be available. During the government shutdown, WIC members can use their WIC benefits, attend WIC appointments, and do not need to take any action. If there are changes to the availability of WIC funding and benefits, DHS will let WIC members, partners, and providers know as soon as possible.

Medicaid and BadgerCare Plus members still have coverage to get the care and services they need. For updates, visit the Medicaid News page.

Hey there, Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers here.

I know these are tough times. Watching what’s on the news can be scary. There’s lots of uncertainty about what the future may hold, and kids and families have a lot to worry about.

Paychecks aren’t going as far as they used to, folks are struggling to make ends meet, and families are afraid they may no longer be able to afford food, groceries, and healthcare.

As the cold moves in and with holidays right around the corner, efforts in Washington to kick people off of their healthcare and basic food assistance couldn’t come at a worse time.

With so much going on across our country, it’s a good time to reflect on our Wisconsin values of kindness, compassion, empathy, and respect.

Here in Wisconsin, we take care of each other. Wisconsinites are helpers by nature—it’s in our DNA.

So, I’m encouraging Wisconsinites to reach out to one another, check in with your neighbors, and let’s make sure to take care of each other.

Whether that’s volunteering at a food pantry or dropping off a meal for a neighbor, donating items for those in need, or supporting a nonprofit organization in your community.

And if you or a loved one is struggling, know that there are resources available.

Any Wisconsinite who needs additional food or baby formula, help with utility bills, or access to any number of resources to be safe and well can reach out to 211 Wisconsin either by dialing 2-1-1 or by going online to 211wisconsin.org.

You can also text your ZIP code to 898211 to get connected to local resources.

And if you’re already enrolled in Medicaid or FoodShare, we’re encouraging folks to go to ACCESS.WI.gov to make sure your phone number, email, and mailing address are up to date so you don’t miss out on any benefits or updates.

Folks, when the times get tough, Wisconsinites get to work. So, let’s get to work, Wisconsin.

Thank you, and take good care.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.