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State of Wisconsin |
Release 26-01 |
7 CFR 273.14(a); 7 CFR 273.10(f)
Certification Periods
The time in-between application and renewal is called the certification period. The FoodShare certification period can be 6 - 36 months. FoodShare households where all members are homeless and food units that include a migrant or seasonal farm worker have a six-month certification period.
A certification period may be shortened only in the circumstances described below:
| Note | Households with 36-month certification periods may not shorten their certification period and ACCESS will not allow early submission since these households will never have a new certification period that would sync up with the other eligibility programs open on their case. |
Certification Points
Members may be required to complete an interview (see SECTION 2.1.3 INTERVIEWS) and must verify current household information and any held information in the last month of the certification period in order to be recertified and continue receiving FoodShare benefits. This certification point is called a renewal.
| Note | When a Foodshare household moves into a Transitional FoodShare (TFS) certification period, their regular certification period will end early. The TFS certification period will begin the following month and will end five months later (see Section 5.1.1 Transitional FoodShare Benefits (TFS)). The FoodShare household must complete a renewal to re-certify eligibility in the last month of the certification period the same as other FoodShare households. |
FoodShare household with zero FoodShare benefits in their initial benefit month (pro-rated benefits) and a FoodShare allotment greater than zero in the second month, are certified for six, 12, or 36 months (depending on their household composition) beginning with the application month. If FoodShare eligibility is denied in the month of application for any other reason, and eligibility begins the following month, the 6, 12, or 36 month certification period begins in the month following the application month. If the benefit calculation is zero for the first two months, the case will be denied.
| Example 1 | Barry applied for FoodShare in August after he lost his job. In the FoodShare benefit determination for August and September, Barry received zero for August due to pro-rated benefits and $98 in September. His certification period starts in August. |
| Example 2 | Barry's VQT sanction ends August 8. He reapplies and re-requests FoodShare on August 25. He is ineligible in August and eligible for $141 in September. Barry's 12-month certification period begins September 1. |
| Example 3 | Barry applied for FoodShare November 29 after his unemployment compensation ended. Barry reports during the application that he is homeless. Barry received his full unemployment benefit in his final month, so he is not eligible for FoodShare in November because his income was over the gross income limit, but he is eligible in December. Barry’s six-month certification period begins December 1. |
The certification period of the following food units is six months:
Food units that include a migrant of seasonal farm worker, or
Food units where all members are homeless (not including certain EBD no earnings food units).
| Note |
Once a six-month certification period has been established the renewal may remain due in month six even if the homeless food unit secures housing or the migrant worker leaves the food unit prior to the renewal month, depending on when the change is reported (see Section 6.1.3.7 Change Impact Matrix). |
Certain EBD food units with no earned income can receive 36-month certification periods. These food units will not need to complete SMRFs and may not need to complete an interview at renewal.
Food units must meet the following criteria to receive a 36-month certification period:
| Note | If the food unit meets the criteria to receive a 6-month certification period (see Section 2.2.1.1 Six Month Reviews), they will not receive a 36-month certification period. |
Food units that can receive a 36-month certification period should receive expedited service, if eligible (see SECTION 2.1.4 EXPEDITED SERVICE AT APPLICATION).
All food units with 36-month certification periods are simplified reporters (see SECTION 6.1.1 CHANGE REPORTING FOR ALL FOOD UNITS (SIMPLIFIED)).
All food units that meet the criteria to have a 36-month certification period are sent annual outreach letters at months 11 and 23. This letter includes a case summary detailing current FoodShare information on their case. The food unit has no required action to take at that time, besides existing simplified reporting requirements. Updating current case information can ensure the assistance group is receiving the correct benefit amounts to which they are entitled.
| Example 1 | Ethel has a 36-month certification period. In the 11th month of her certification period, she receives her annual outreach letter, including a summary of the current information on her case. Ethel reviews her case summary and notices she is not receiving a deduction for a new, ongoing prescription medication she started two months ago. Ethel has no required changes to report at this time. Even though it is not required, Ethel calls her agency to report her new medical expense. She provides verification of the expense. She provides verification of the expense. Her monthly FoodShare benefit increases due to the new medical expense deduction. |
Food units with 36-month certification periods cannot shorten their certification period. The renewal for a 36-month certification period will not continuously align with another program's renewal or application. No other program has 36-month certification periods.
If a food unit with a 36-month certification period becomes eligible for Transitional FoodShare (TFS), their certification period will be shortened in accordance with TFS policy (see SECTION 5.1.1 TRANSITIONAL FOODSHARE BENEFITS).
Interview
When a food unit first receives a 36-month certification period, they must complete an interview during that application or renewal. Food units in a 36-month certification period may not be required to complete an interview at renewal. If there is pending verification or questionable information for FoodShare on the case at renewal, or if the food unit no longer meets the eligibility criteria to have a 36-month certification period, an interview is required. Food units will receive a letter with instructions on how to complete their required interview. If the required interview is not completed, the case will lose their FoodShare eligibility.
Food units can always request a renewal interview even if it is not required. The food unit is responsible for contacting their agency to complete an optional interview. No food unit will be determined ineligible for failing to complete an optional interview. An optional interview must be completed within the renewal month.
Never deny an application or renewal without first attempting to schedule an interview.
Losing 36-Month Certification Period Eligibility
If a food unit stops meeting the eligibility criteria to have a 36-month certification period, their certification period will not be shortened. If the food unit is still eligible to receive FoodShare benefits, they will retain the remaining months in their 36-month certification period, and their renewal date will not change. However, these food unit will need to complete SMRFs every six months until their next renewal and complete an interview at their next renewal.
A food unit could stop meeting the 36-month certification period eligibility criteria but maintain eligibility for FoodShare benefits in the following ways:
| Example 2 | Ci and his 17-year-old son Alang apply for FoodShare together. Ci is disabled and does not have any earned income. Alang is not disabled and has a part time job. Even though Alang has earned income, the food unit receives a 36-month certification period because Alang is not an adult. Eight months into their certification period, Alang turns 18. The food unit no longer meets the 36-month certification period eligibility criteria because Alang is now a non-disabled adult with earned income. The food unit will be required to complete SMRFs at months 12, 18, 24, and 30 and will be required to complete an interview at their next renewal. If the food unit circumstances have not changed at their next renewal, the food unit will receive a 12-month certification period. |
When a food unit loses their eligibility criteria to have a 36-month certification period, they will be notified of the requirement to complete SMRFs and their next SMRFs due date, if applicable. These food units will not receive Annual Outreach letters since they are required to complete SMRFs. If the food unit stops meeting the eligibility criteria past month 30 in their certification period, they will not be required to complete SMRFs because their next required eligibility action is the renewal.
Once a food unit loses their 36-month certification period eligibility criteria, they are required to complete SMRFs and complete an interview at renewal even if they regain 36-month certification period eligibility criteria.
| Example 3 | Jan, Darrel, and Theresa have a 36-month certification period. Jan and Darrel are elderly, Theresa has a disability, and no one in the food unit has earned income. Sixteen months into their certification period, Darrel reports his granddaughter Nataleigh moved in. Nataleigh is 19. Since she does not have a disability and is not elderly, the food unit no longer meets 36-month certification period eligibility criteria. The food unit is required to complete SMRFs at months 18, 24, and 30 and complete an interview at renewal. Seven months after losing eligibility criteria, month 23, Darrel reports Nataleigh moved out. While the food unit meets the 36-month certification period eligibility criteria at this time, they are still required to complete SMRFs at months 24 and 30 and complete an interview at renewal. If the food unit still meets the eligibility criteria at their next renewal, they will receive a 36-month certification period. |
Food units that stop meeting the 36-month certification period eligibility criteria and are ineligible for FoodShare will stop receiving FoodShare benefits.
Conversion
Existing FoodShare food units that meet the eligibility criteria at project implementation will have their certification periods extended between two and 24 months. These food units will receive a one-time conversion letter. The letter will tell them of the change to their certification period, their new renewal date, reporting requirements, and responsibilities. No food unit will receive a certification period longer than 36 months or shorter than 12 months. At their next renewal, if the food unit still meets eligibility criteria, they will receive a 36-month certification period. Post implementation, all applicants that meet eligibility criteria will receive a 36-month certification period.
7 CFR 273.10(f)(4) Waiver approval
Agencies may not end a certification period earlier than the assigned termination date, unless the agency receives information that the food unit has become ineligible, or the food unit does not cooperate in clarifying its circumstances. Loss of W-2 or a change in employment is not sufficient in and of itself to meet the criteria necessary for shortening certification periods.
A certification period may be shortened only in the circumstances described below:
7 CFR 273.14(b)
To complete a renewal to re-certify FoodShare cases
The 30-day renewal processing time frame is not the same as it is for applications. The 30-day renewal processing time frame refers to the month the renewal is due. All renewal requirements must be completed by the last business day of the renewal month for the case to continue receiving benefits without interruption, unless:
When the last required action for renewal is completed by the end of the renewal month, but there is an agency-caused delay, the reason for delay must be documented in CWW. The FoodShare program request date is set for the first of the month so that benefits are not prorated.
At adverse action of the renewal month, FoodShare will close effective the last day of the renewal due month if all renewal required actions have not been completed. When a renewal, including a signature, is received in the renewal month, but all renewal requirements are not completed by the end of the renewal due month, benefits will be prorated from the date the last required FoodShare action was taken in the late renewal month or the following month. The last required action after a timely renewal, can be a required FoodShare interview or required FoodShare verification. A timely renewal is received in the renewal due month.
If the last required action after a timely renewal is the interview, benefits will be prorated from the date the interview is completed in the late renewal month.
| Example 4 | Tricia’s FoodShare renewal is due by June 30. Tricia submitted her renewal on June 27. She does not complete her required interview until July 2. She has no required verification due; the interview was the last required action for her FoodShare renewal. Her benefits are prorated from July 2. |
If the last required action after a timely renewal is required verification, prorate benefits from the verification receipt date when the receipt date is in the late renewal month. If verification is received on or before the due date, benefits are prorated from the verification receipt date.
| Example 5 | Holly’s FoodShare renewal is due by July 31. She completes a timely FoodShare renewal, including the interview, on July 9 but does not have verification of her wages from Marigold’s. Verification of her earned income is requested and is due by July 29. Holly fails to provide verification, and her case closes effective July 31. On August 5, Holly provides verification of her wages. She regains eligibility as of August 5 and is issued prorated benefits from August 5 through August 31. |
| Example 6 | Tom’s FoodShare renewal is due by June 30. He submits his renewal and completes his required interview on June 27. His verification is due July 17. Tom provides the requested verification on July 15. Although Tom provided the requested verification by the due date, he did not complete the entire renewal process by the end of June. For this reason, his benefits are prorated from July 15. |
| Example 7 | Lila's FoodShare renewal is due by October 31. She submits her renewal on October 29 but does not complete her required interview until November 9. Lila's verification due date is December 9. She provides the verification on December 8. Her benefits are prorated from December 8. |
Late Renewal
Late renewals are FoodShare renewals received in the month after the renewal due month. Renewals are late starting after 4:30 p.m. on the last business day of the renewal month. Late renewals, including a signature, must be received no later than the last business day of the late renewal month by 4:30 p.m., or the food unit must reapply.
When an interview is required, the agency must make at least two attempts to contact the food unit to complete the interview on the same business day the late renewal is received or within five business days if the late renewal is not eligible for priority service.
Food units required to verify information for FoodShare at renewal must have their benefits prorated from the late renewal receipt date if verification is received on or before the due date. If required verification is received after the verification due date, benefits will be prorated from the required verification receipt date. Benefits are prorated based on the date the agency receives required verification for FoodShare, even if there is agency delay processing the verification.
Agencies must give food units 20 days to provide verification. For late renewals, the verification due date may fall into the month after the late renewal month. If the agency does not receive the food unit’s required verification on or before the due date, and the due date falls in the month after the late renewal month, the food unit must reapply.
When the food unit is not required to complete an interview or provide verification, their benefits are prorated from the late renewal receipt date.
| Example 8 | Fatima has a 12-month certification period. Her next renewal is due in October. The renewal is received on November 3. She completes her required interview the next day and receives a verification due date of November 24. She submits her verification on November 16. Her benefits are prorated from November 3, the date Fatima’s late renewal was received. |
| Example 9 | Sutton has a 36-month certification period. His next renewal is due in April. His renewal is received on May 2, and Sutton completes the required interview the same day. He receives a verification due date of May 22. Sutton submits his verification via ACCESS on May 27 at 8:30 p.m. Sutton’s benefits are prorated starting May 28, which was the date the verification was received by the agency. |
Expedited Service at Late Renewal
Late renewals must be screened for priority service, unless the food unit is not required to complete a FoodShare interview. Priority service screens for potential eligibility for expedited issuance and faster service from the agency. If an assistance group is eligible for expedited issuance, they will receive their FoodShare benefits within seven days.
For priority service late renewals, agencies must make at least two attempts to contact a member to complete the interview on the same business day the late renewal is received or by the end of the next business day. The food unit must complete their priority service interview within seven days, or they will lose their right to receive expedited benefits.
All verifications or held information must be postponed when they cannot be submitted during the expedited late renewal timeframe. If any verification or held items are readily available, they must be used in the initial eligibility determination. Other outstanding verification or held items must be requested, but do not delay the issuance of expedited benefits while pending receipt.
For policy on eligibility for expedited service at late renewal see section 2.1.4.1.
For policy on eligibility for expedited service at late renewal for migrant workers see section 2.1.4.3.
7 CFR 273.10(f)(4) Waiver approval
Renewals completed for other assistance programs do not automatically count as a renewal for FoodShare and will not change the FoodShare certification period. A FoodShare certification period may be changed to align with that of another program only if the member has stated their consent to complete a FoodShare renewal in order to align its FoodShare certification period with the certification period of another program. Consent can be given in ACCESS when completing an ACCESS renewal or verbally when completing a telephone or paper renewal. A 36-month certification period will never align with another programs’ certification period.
When more than one renewal is submitted by a food unit during the same renewal filing period, the earliest received renewal establishes the filing date. Screen each additional renewal for updated information. The new information from each additional renewal must be used in determining eligibility since it is the most up-to-date information reported by the food unit.
| Example 1 | Claire has a renewal due in January. She submits a renewal via ACCESS on January 25. Claire mails in an additional renewal, that is received on February 5. The filing date for Claire’s FoodShare renewal is January 25. |
If the duplicate renewal with new information is received prior to an interview, clarifying questions must be asked during the interview to determine the best information to use in the eligibility determination.
If the duplicate renewal is received after completion of the interview or if no interview is required, prior to making an eligibility determination, additional clarification or verification of the newly reported information may be required.
This page last updated in Release Number: 25-03
Release Date: 12/10/2025
Effective Date: 12/10/2025
Notice: The content within this manual is the sole responsibility of the State of Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS). This site will link to sites outside of DHS where appropriate. DHS is in no way responsible for the content of sites outside of DHS.
Publication Number: P-16001