AB 245

The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as FoodShare

in this state and formerly known as the food stamp program, provides benefits to

eligible low-income individuals and households for the purchase of food. FoodShare

is administered by the Department of Health Services (DHS). The state and the

federal government share the cost of administration and benefits are paid entirely

with federal funds. Under current law, DHS may require a FoodShare recipient who

is able and 18 to 60 years of age to participate in the FoodShare employment and

training program (FSET), unless the recipient is participating in a Wisconsin Works

employment position, is the caretaker of a child under the age of six years, or is

enrolled at least half time in school, a training program, or an institution of higher

education. Individuals participating in FSET must fulfill any work, employment

search, or training requirements set by the entity administering FSET. With some

exceptions, a FoodShare recipient who is an able-bodied individual between the ages

of 18 and 50 who does not fulfill certain work requirements is eligible for FoodShare

benefits for no more than three months during a three-year period. Participation

in FSET satisfies those work requirements.

Under this bill, DHS is required to permit a participant in FSET, including an

individual who is an able-bodied individual between the ages of 18 and 50 who is

required to fulfill certain work requirements to remain eligible for FoodShare

benefits, to attend a class on nutrition as an appropriate work or employment and

training activity. The class must be available in the participant's community and

offered for free or at a low cost. DHS must count the number of hours spent in the

class toward the fulfillment of any amount of time that the participant is required

to spend working or on employment and training activities. In addition, the bill

provides that, if DHS determines that it may not permit a participant in FSET to

attend a nutrition class as an appropriate work or employment and training activity

without a federal waiver, DHS must request a waiver from the federal department

of agriculture and may not implement the requirement under the bill unless the

waiver is granted and in effect.