Becoming Authorized To Accept EBT

To accept EBT payments in Wisconsin, your market must be authorized by two government agencies:

1) Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
Begin by sending a proposal to DHS, Division of Health Care Access & Accountability (DHCAA). There are no fees associated with submitting this proposal, which can take up to a week to be approved. This template proposal can be edited to match the details of your market. Once completed, submit the proposal to:

Paul Michael
Department of Health Services
Division of Healthcare Access & Accountability
P.O. Box 309
Madison, WI 53701-309
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
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(Note: there is a simple reapplication process with DHS before the start of each new season.)

2) United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
Once DHS has approved your proposal, they will send an approval notice to the FNS field office for the state of Wisconsin. The FNS requires that you fill out an application for a FoodShare program permit. There are no fees associated with this application, which can take up to 45 days from the date it is received to be approved by the FNS. The online FNS application can be accessed at http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailers/register.htm. Applications can also be requested by calling 1-877-823-4369.

Markets will be asked to submit specific documentation in addition to applications, such as a sales tax permit and photo identification for a market organizer. For questions about documentation needed in Wisconsin, contact:

Sheila Jacobs
USDA, Food & Nutrition Service
200 N High St-Rm 750
Columbus, OH 43215
[phone], ext 11
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Paper application submissions and all documentation requested by both paper and online applications should be mailed to:

USDA, FOOD & NUTRITION SERVICE
Patrick V McNamara Bldg, Room 278
477 Michigan Ave
Detroit, MI 48226-2518

If the FNS approves your application, you will be issued a permit and a 7-digit FNS number, along with a training guide. Your market cannot accept electronic benefits until you have received this permit.