Sawyer County economic support staff report partial benefit rollout to Quest cards, remind residents of energy-assistance programs

Economic support staff updated the Sawyer County Health & Human Services committee Nov. 3 on benefit distributions and outreach plans.

Staff said they received notice the state would put partial benefits onto Quest cards (reported informally as about 50%) but that the county had not yet received full details on timing and exact amounts. Economic support staff said they expect increased call volume to county lines as residents seek clarification and assistance.

Committee members discussed call-rate trends and messaging strategies; staff said early confusion had produced an initially low call rate that later rose once messaging clarified that local county employees administer these programs rather than federal staff.

Separately, staff confirmed energy-assistance programs commonly known as WEAP/WHEAP are administered countywide and that residents should contact Health & Human Services to apply for heating or energy-related help. The committee also reviewed standard childcare-certification and county childcare numbers included in the packet.

No motions or policy changes were made; staff said they will provide additional details to the committee when the state releases timing for benefit postings.