Gov. Evers Joins Coalition of Governors in Urging Trump Administration to Use Readily Available Federal Funding to Extend Food Assistance for Kids, Families, and Seniors

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers and a coalition of governors pressed the Trump Administration to use billions of dollars in readily available federal funding to prevent millions of Americans, including nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites, from having to go hungry after losing access to food assistance due to the federal government shutdown. Based on a recent Trump Administration directive, Wisconsin FoodShare, which is 100 percent funded by the federal government, is now in jeopardy and will end on November 1 due to the federal government shutdown. In response, Gov. Evers has, nearly every day over the last week, urged the Trump Administration to use U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) powers already authorized under federal law to help extend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assistance into November, which would delay millions of Americans from losing access to basic food and groceries.

In a memo reportedly from the USDA, the Trump Administration indicated it will refuse to do so, leaving millions of Americans without access to basic food necessities who depend on food assistance to survive. Gov. Evers and governors from across the country are asking President Trump and the Trump Administration to reconsider and immediately take action.

“After tomorrow, nearly 700,000 Wisconsin kids, families, seniors, veterans, and farmers will lose access to basic food and groceries without action from the Trump Administration, along with millions of Americans in other states. This is going to have real, harmful consequences for kids and families across our state and our country. President Trump must take action,” said Gov. Evers. “The Trump Administration must use every eligible resource and legal option available to maintain food security and continuity in Wisconsin. The USDA has tools and resources within their authority to address this crisis now, and there is simply no justification for failing to use them. I once again urge the Trump Administration to take swift and decisive action to prevent kids and families in Wisconsin and across America from going hungry.”

The governors’ letter comes as Gov. Evers this week announced Wisconsin has joined a multi-state lawsuit fighting against the Trump Administration’s decision not to use available federal funding to extend food assistance into November, which will force nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites who rely on FoodShare to lose access to basic food necessities after tomorrow. The lawsuit aims to fight the Trump Administration’s decision not to follow federal law—and its own past practice—and force them to act quickly to use billions of dollars in readily available federal funding to prevent millions of Americans from having to go hungry and losing access to food assistance due to the federal government shutdown.

Last week, Gov. Evers and the Evers Administration announced Wisconsin FoodShare, which provides food assistance to hungry kids, families, and seniors, is in jeopardy due to the federal government shutdown after the Trump Administration recently notified the state “there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million individuals across the Nation” and “direct[ed] States to hold their November issuance files and delay transmission to State EBT vendors until further notice.” FoodShare, which is 100 percent funded by the federal government, may not be available at all next month if the federal government shutdown continues, leaving nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites, including nearly 270,000 kids, without access to basic food and groceries. The next day, more than 40 U.S. Senators, including U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), also urged the USDA to release the billions of dollars at their disposal to continue the food assistance program.

USDA has tools within its authority to address this crisis now. For example, the USDA, under 7 U.S.C. 2257, has the authority to transfer funds to sustain SNAP benefits during a lapse in appropriations, and the agency’s interchange authority allows for the temporary transfer of funds between nutrition programs—a mechanism that was recently used to preserve WIC benefits.

Gov. Evers encourages 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.

A copy of the governors’ letter to the Trump Administration is available here. A transcript of the letter is available below.

Dear Mr. President,

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) feeds 42 million people, including 16 million children, 8 million seniors, and 4 million people with disabilities. We are alarmed that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has instructed states to stop issuing SNAP benefits for November. We are equally alarmed that the USDA has chosen to view use of SNAP contingency funds to cover regular benefits as unlawful per USDA’s official memo sent on Friday, October 24th.1 Rather than allow millions of Americans to go hungry next month, we demand that USDA immediately release the multi-year contingency SNAP funding and supplement any shortfall by utilizing its interchange transfer authority to ensure full SNAP benefits are provided to the 42 million American who rely on them next month.

Broadly speaking, SNAP supports approximately 388,000 jobs nationwide and more than $20 billion in direct wages, and it results in over $4.5 billion in state and federal tax revenue.2 Halting SNAP benefits will put millions of Americans at risk of food insecurity and poverty. SNAP is more than a food assistance program, it is a lifeline. It helps families put nutritious food on the table, supports local farmers and grocers, and strengthens our communities and economy. The USDA’s decision to delay SNAP assistance is unacceptable, and we urge your Administration to provide the necessary funding to deliver full benefits to vulnerable Americans in need, especially with Thanksgiving just a few weeks away.

SNAP lifts families out of poverty by allowing them to spend money that would otherwise have been used for food on rent, heat, or health care. We know that infants and children in families who receive SNAP are more likely to see a doctor for periodic check-ups. Additionally, older adults receiving SNAP are more likely to take their prescribed medications because they have enough money to afford both food and medicine. No one should have to make those impossible choices.

We urge you to immediately direct the USDA to prevent a disruption to SNAP. Every day of delay brings us a day closer to November 1st and tens of millions of our fellow Americans going hungry.

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.