Winnebago County to ask Evers to increase state funding for SNAP

OSHKOSH, Wis. (WISS) – The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors discussed the impacts of federal cuts to SNAP on people in the county during its meeting Tuesday night. 

“ Snap, or in Wisconsin, our food share benefits, are ending in November. We’re trying to be proactive in taking action by partnering with the food pantry,” said County Executive Gordon Hintz.

The board discussed asking the state to increase funding for SNAP benefits for residents. The resolution, recommended by the Wisconsin Counties Association, says the federal reconciliation bill (H.R. 1), signed into law on July 4 requires state and local governments to provide 75 percent of the administrative funds for SNAP. Previously the federal and state/local sources split the funding 50/50.

Ryan Rasmussen of the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry spoke during the public comment section of the meeting. He called out the real effects of SNAP funding reductions. 

“Four years ago, we were averaging 1300 families a month. Right now we’re at 2,800 plus.” Rassmussen continued, “Currently, food insecurity data in Winnebago County shows that 11.1% of our residents are facing food insecurity right now. So funding for food insecurity is becoming vital for the health and well-being of all of our residents.”

Rasmussen outlined the federal cuts that are affecting pantries like the OACP now.

“Through the pantry, we’ve also experienced some issues. LFPA funding was cut that contributed to about $120,000 worth of produce. We didn’t see TEFAP, which is an emergency allotment we get from the government. (It) has been cut. I received a call last week already that anything starting November 1st is going to be cut as well for us,” said Rasmussen. “All this to say that cities, counties, and pantries are gonna bear the burden of our food-insecure population.”

The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors approved that resolution. The county will now send a formal request to Gov. Tony Evers’ office to increase state funding to offset federal cuts to the food program, already signed into law by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Federal shutdown and SNAP

Rasmussen also told the Board of Supervisors that the federal shutdown will affect SNAP recipients.

“Based on the government shutdown starting November 1st, all SNAP benefits are cut.” Rasmussen said, “So no new monies will be given to any SNAP recipients. And also for the first time, any outstanding balances that folks have could be in jeopardy.”

District 2 Supervisor Kristl Laux confirmed that information for the board.

“Today, your constituents that are on SNAP did receive a virtual alert that their November benefits for current food share members will be delayed. They will be delayed until the federal government reopens,” Laux said. “And anything that they have on their cards now, they should spend before November 1st because it may disappear.”

Meanwhile, a press release from Evers’ office on Wednesday said that the Wisconsin FoodShare program, also called SNAP, will run out of funding in nine days due to the federal government shutdown. The program provides food assistance for Wisconsin children, families, and senior citizens.

Other SNAP action

Earlier this week, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul announced a preliminary injunction that continues blocking the U.S. Department of Agriculture from turning over SNAP data to the federal government. 

The injunction originates from a multi-state lawsuit filed in July, arguing the Trump administration’s demand for personal and sensitive information on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients violates federal law and the Constitution. The USDA had threatened to withhold SNAP funding, known as Food Share in Wisconsin, without that data.