How to Request a SNAP Appeal or Fair Hearing in Wisconsin

If your Wisconsin FoodShare (SNAP) benefits were denied, reduced, closed, or delayed, you may have the right to ask for an appeal—often called a fair hearing. This is a formal way to have an independent decision-maker review what the agency did.

This guide explains how appeals and fair hearings for SNAP usually work in Wisconsin, what to expect, and how to move forward through official state and county channels. HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only—it does not take applications, handle appeals, or make decisions about your benefits.

SNAP (FoodShare) and Your Right to Appeal in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, SNAP is called FoodShare. It helps eligible households buy food through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, often called a QUEST card.

If you disagree with a decision about your FoodShare case, you can generally challenge it. This is done through:

• An appeal request to the state
• A fair hearing with an impartial hearing officer

You do not have to accept the first decision about your case. Wisconsin rules typically give you the right to ask for a review as long as you act within specific deadlines.

Common decisions you might appeal include:

• Denial of your FoodShare application
• Lower benefit amount than you believe is correct
• Closure or termination of your FoodShare case
• Sanctions (like disqualification for not meeting work rules)
• Overpayment claim stating you were paid too much and must pay it back
• Delays in getting a decision on your application or renewal

Key Deadlines and Basic Rules for FoodShare Appeals

Exact details can change, so it’s important to confirm current rules with your local agency or the state fair hearing office, but here are typical guidelines used for FoodShare in Wisconsin:

Because deadlines are critical, it is usually best to file your appeal as soon as you can, even if you are still gathering documents.

Step 1: Read Your FoodShare Notice Carefully

When the Wisconsin agency takes an action on your FoodShare case, they usually send a written notice. This notice is your main starting point for an appeal.

Look for:

• What decision was made
  (Denied, reduced, closed, sanction, overpayment, etc.)
• The reason the agency says it took that action
  (Income too high, missing verification, not meeting work rules, etc.)
• The effective date of the change
  (When your benefits will stop or change)
• Appeal rights section
  This usually explains:
  • How many days you have to appeal
  • Where to send your appeal request
  • Phone numbers for questions

Keep this notice—it is often the most important document in your appeal.

Step 2: Decide If a Fair Hearing Is Right for You

You might consider filing a FoodShare appeal in Wisconsin if:

• You believe the agency made a mistake (for example, counted income incorrectly or left off a household member).
• You turned in requested papers on time, but the agency treated your case as if you did not.
• You believe your benefit amount is too low based on your income, expenses, or household size.
• Your case was closed unexpectedly and you do not understand why.
• You got a FoodShare overpayment notice you believe is wrong.
• Your application or renewal has been pending for a long time with no clear decision.

On the other hand, an appeal may be less effective if:

• You clearly do not meet income or other rules, and the decision is correct.
• You simply missed a deadline to return paperwork and do not have a strong reason.
• You got new income or household changes after the decision date (those may be better handled by reporting changes rather than appealing the old decision).

If you are unsure, you can usually contact:

• Your local county or tribal agency
• A legal aid organization
• The state fair hearing office

They can explain your options, though they cannot give you legal representation unless you formally work with them.

Step 3: How to Request a FoodShare Fair Hearing in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, you normally must file your appeal in writing. The exact process can vary slightly by county or tribal agency, but these are common methods:

Common Ways to File an Appeal

1. By mail or fax to the state hearing office

   • Your notice usually lists the mailing address or fax number for the fair hearing office.
   • You write a short statement saying you want to appeal a FoodShare decision.

2. Through your local county/tribal human services or health and human services office

   • You can often drop off a written request in person.
   • Some offices may help you fill out a fair hearing request form.

3. By phone in some situations

   • Some agencies may accept an appeal request by phone, then send confirming paperwork.
   • The notice you received may say whether phone requests are allowed.

Check the back or last pages of your official notice to confirm which methods are allowed and the exact contact information.

What to Include in Your Appeal Request

Your written request does not usually have to be long or formal. It typically just needs to clearly state that you disagree with a specific FoodShare decision.

Include:

• Your full name
• Your case number or Client ID (from your notice or QUEST card records)
• Current address and phone number
• A short sentence such as:
  • “I want to appeal the decision to close my FoodShare case effective [date].”
  • “I want a fair hearing about the reduction in my FoodShare benefits dated [notice date].”
• Your signature and date

If you are asking to keep your benefits as they were until the hearing is decided, you can add:
“I am requesting to continue my FoodShare benefits at the previous level until my hearing decision.”

⚠️ Important: If you ask to keep receiving the same amount during the appeal and you lose, you may later be billed for overpaid benefits. You can ask the hearing office or a legal aid group to explain this risk.

Step 4: Gathering Documents and Evidence

After you request a fair hearing, it helps to organize your information. This can make it easier to explain your side and show that the agency may have made a mistake.

Useful items may include:

• The original notice you are appealing
• Application or renewal forms you submitted
• Verification documents, such as:
  • Pay stubs or income statements
  • Letters from an employer
  • Rent receipts or lease agreements
  • Utility bills
  • Child care expense receipts
  • Child support orders or payment records
• Any letters or emails you sent to or received from the agency
• Proof of when you submitted documents
  (Fax confirmations, dated receipts from the office, copies of online submissions when available)
• Notes with dates and times of any calls with the agency

You are usually allowed to see your case file before the hearing. You can request this through your local agency or the hearing office. They should tell you how to review or get copies of your records, sometimes at no cost or low cost.

Step 5: What Happens After You File an Appeal

Once your appeal is received, several things may occur:

Acknowledgment of Your Request

• The state fair hearing office usually sends you a written acknowledgment.
• This often includes:
  • A hearing date and time
  • Whether the hearing is by phone, video, or in person
  • Instructions on what to do if you need to reschedule or request special accommodations (such as an interpreter or disability-related support)

Pre-Hearing Contact from the Agency

Before the actual hearing, someone from your local FoodShare agency may:

• Review your case again
• Call or write to you
• Ask for more information or documents

Sometimes issues are resolved before the hearing if both sides agree that a mistake was made or new information changes the outcome. Even if that happens, you can often still ask for a formal written decision if you wish.

Step 6: The Fair Hearing Itself

A fair hearing is less formal than a court trial, but it is still an official legal process. In Wisconsin, hearings are usually run by a state hearing officer who is separate from your local agency.

Who Will Be There

Typically:

• You and anyone you bring (such as a friend, family member, advocate, or lawyer)
• A representative from the local agency, often a caseworker or supervisor
• An interpreter, if requested
• The hearing officer

Your Rights at the Hearing

You generally have the right to:

• Explain your side of the story
• Present documents and other evidence
• Bring witnesses with relevant information
• Ask questions of the agency’s representative
• Object if you think evidence is unfair or not relevant (especially if you have a lawyer)

The agency will also present its side, showing how it applied FoodShare rules to your case.

What the Hearing Officer Does

The hearing officer will:

• Listen to both sides
• Review the evidence
• Apply state and federal FoodShare rules
• Issue a written decision

They do not usually make a decision during the hearing itself; instead, you receive it by mail later.

Step 7: The Decision and What It Means

You will get a written decision from the state hearing office after your fair hearing. This will typically say:

• Whether the decision is upheld, changed, or reversed
• What the agency must do next, if anything
• Whether you won full relief, partial relief, or no change

Possible outcomes:

• You win:

  • The agency may have to approve your application, increase your benefits, restore benefits, or cancel an overpayment.
  • You may receive back benefits if the decision finds you should have been getting FoodShare earlier or at a higher amount.

• You partially win:

  • The agency might adjust some parts of the decision but not others (for example, reducing but not completely erasing an overpayment).

• You lose:

  • The original agency decision stands.
  • If you received continued benefits during the appeal, you may owe an overpayment.

If you disagree with the hearing decision, the written notice may explain if and how you can request a reconsideration or further review. This can involve strict deadlines and sometimes court-level appeals, so many people choose to contact legal aid if they are considering this step.

Common Reasons FoodShare Cases Are Denied or Reduced

Understanding why decisions are made can help you decide whether to appeal or simply provide more information.

Typical reasons include:

• Income is too high based on what was reported
• Household size counted incorrectly
• Missing or incomplete verification documents
• Not completing a required interview
• Not completing a renewal or reporting form on time
• Work requirement issues for certain adults (for example, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents rules)
• Overpayment findings based on past unreported income or changes

If you believe the agency misunderstood your situation, appealing can give you a chance to explain and provide documents in a structured way.

How to Strengthen Your Wisconsin SNAP Appeal

Here are practical tips to make your case clearer:

• File on time.
  Missing appeal deadlines usually ends your right to challenge that decision.

• Be specific.
  Clearly state what decision you are appealing and why you think it is wrong.

• Stay organized.
  Keep all notices, forms, and supporting documents in one folder, sorted by date.

• Take notes.
  Write down:

  • Dates you submitted documents
  • Names of anyone you talked to at the agency
  • What was said in those conversations

• Ask for your case file.
  Reviewing your file before the hearing can show you exactly what information the agency used.

• Get help if you can.
  Many people find it helpful to speak with:

  • Legal aid organizations
  • Community advocacy groups
  • Social service agencies

  Some of these may offer free or low-cost assistance for benefits appeals, especially for low-income households.

Alternatives if You Don’t Qualify or Lose Your Appeal

If you do not qualify for FoodShare in Wisconsin, or if you lose your appeal, you may still have options for food or other help.

Common alternatives include:

• Food pantries and meal sites

  • Many communities have nonprofit food pantries, churches, and community centers that offer free groceries or meals.

• 211 information line

  • In many areas, dialing 211 connects you to a referral service that can tell you about local food programs, housing help, and other support.

• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)

  • If you are pregnant, postpartum, or have children under 5, WIC may offer specific food benefits and nutrition support. This is a separate program from FoodShare.

• School meal programs

  • Families with school-age children may be able to access free or reduced-price school meals during the school year and sometimes summer.

• Local community or tribal services

  • Some county and tribal governments have their own emergency assistance or food programs for residents.

To learn what’s available in your area, you can contact:

• Your county or tribal human services/health and human services department
• Local community action agencies
• Local food banks or pantries

How to Make Sure You’re Using Official Wisconsin Channels

Because FoodShare is a government program, all applications, appeals, and fair hearings must go through official offices and portals, not private websites.

To protect yourself:

• Use phone numbers and addresses that appear:
  • On your official FoodShare notices
  • On your QUEST card materials
  • On clearly marked Wisconsin state government or county government websites
• Be cautious of:
  • Sites that promise approval or “guaranteed” benefits
  • Anyone who asks for upfront payment to file an appeal
  • People or websites asking for your full Social Security number or EBT card PIN without clearly being the state agency
• When in doubt, call your local county or tribal human services office or the official FoodShare customer service line listed on your paperwork and ask them to confirm you have the right contact information.

Remember:
HowToGetAssistance.org does not handle applications, appeals, or benefit decisions. It is only a guidance resource to help you understand typical processes so you can work more confidently with official Wisconsin FoodShare offices.

By knowing your rights, understanding the timelines, and keeping good records, you can make the Wisconsin SNAP/FoodShare appeal and fair hearing process more manageable and give yourself the best chance for a fair outcome.