Assembly passes bill targeting high FoodShare balances
MADISON — For people on public food assistance in Wisconsin, it could soon be harder to use the program like a big savings account.
The state Assembly passed a bill late Tuesday afternoon that would make changes to the state's FoodShare program. About one in seven Wisconsin residents receive FoodShare benefits.
Last year FOX 11 Investigates uncovered some recipients have balances as high as $14,000. State Rep. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere, wrote a measure that could prevent that.
"There are some exorbitant FoodShare balances being carried over month to month. In one case approximately $15,000 but there are about 1,000 accounts that are over $2,000," said Jacque, before Tuesday's vote.
His bill would require the state to remove all FoodShare benefits from an account if it has not been accessed in six months or more. The benefits can be restored if the recipient requests them back or if they reapply for FoodShare. The state would also expunge any benefits that have not been used after a year.
The bill passed on a 66-31 bipartisan vote.
State Rep. Andy Jorgensen, D-Milton, argued the changes could make it more difficult for people who need the benefits.
"I think what we've found, and I think we need to take a deep breath, is that a lot of this has to do with shut-ins and elderly and handicap folks that have a hard time getting to the grocery store," said Jorgensen.
But State Rep. Eric Genrich, D-Green Bay, called the bill a reasonable approach.
"I think it's hard for people to understand why there'd be the exorbitant balances on these cards, but at the same time I think we need to look at fraud with an even-handed approach," said Genrich.
A state agency says it looks into any FoodShare balances above $5,000 and usually finds a reasonable explanation.
But Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says removing benefits from inactive accounts would reduce chances for fraud - and be worth $1.3 million in estimated costs to execute.
"There might be estimates that show it's break-even or perhaps even a small cost to taxpayers, I certainly think that getting the confidence of taxpayers to know that we are doing everything we can to be diligent to go after fraud helps people to believe that the better part of the program, to ensure people aren't hungry, that they have a roof over their head is exactly what the state is going after," said Vos.
Before the bill could become law, it still needs to be passed by the Republican-controlled Senate and then signed by the governor.
Gov. Walker's press secretary says the governor would review the bills if they reach his desk.
The Assembly also planned to approve two more Republican-backed bills targeting FoodShare fraud.
One would require that a photo be added to FoodShare debit cards. However, store clerks would not have to look at the image before completing a sale.
The other bill would require a fraud investigation to be launched after a FoodShare recipient makes a fifth request for a new card.