MADISON, WI (WSAU-Wisconsin Radio Network) – Low-income Wisconsin families at risk of losing food assistance next month will continue to receive it.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture told the Evers administration Tuesday that an agreement will preserve about $70-million a month in federal aid. That means about 400,000 households will continue to receive extra aid in May that they were at risk of losing because of a recent state Supreme Court decision. The ruling struck down Governor Evers’ emergency order, saying the governor could not declare successive emergencies without getting approval from the legislature.
Federal rules had required states to declare a COVID-related emergency to qualify for the additional food assistance from Washington.
The agreement was announced shortly after Assembly Speaker Robin Vos offered a plan to restore the program, that was all but certain to fail because it included provisions opposed by Democrats.
