Eligibility for Public Benefit Programs

This document, created by the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WCADV)
Legal Department, does not constitute legal advice. The WCADV thanks the Wisconsin Council on Children and
Families for its contribution and permission to adapt the material.

Health Insurance
Medical Assistance
Healthy Start
BadgerCare

For families with children and disabled persons

Children (18 years old and younger) and their parents or
caretaker relatives and disabled persons can be eligible.
Only for children (18 years old and younger) and pregnant
women.
Parents, their spouses, and kids (18 years old and younger)
can be eligible; anyone who is covered by or has access to
certain health insurance plans is not eligible.

Food
FoodShare Wisconsin

For families or individuals

Amount a household receives is based on income; certain
household expenses such as rent, utilities, and child care
are also considered.

Child Care

For families with children under 13 years old (or under

19 if disabled)
Available to low-income, working parents and those
working and going to school in agency-approved programs;
available while looking for work for those who qualify for
W-2. Amount of the subsidy is based on income, family
size, the number of children needing care, and the type of
child care provider.

Child Care Subsidy (Wisconsin Shares)

Cash and Work Programs

Wisconsin Works (W-2)

Job Access Loan

Emergency Assistance

Eligibility for Public Benefit Programs (Current as of 07/07)

For families with children

The most common placements are:
(a) Case Management--no cash but assistance with job
search; or (b) Community Service Job--$673 per month for
30 hours of work activities and up to 10 hours of education
and training; or (c) W-2 Transitions--$628 per month for
people who have significant restrictions that prevent them
for being able to work full-time (for example, mental or
physical health problems or caring for a disabled child);
some work activities may be required.
Note: Benefits may be reduced for failure to participate
in all assigned activities.
A no-interest loan available for families who are W-2
eligible; the most you can get is $1600; it generally must be
used to get or keep a job (for example, fixing your car so
you can get to work).
Available to homeless families or families who are about to
be evicted once every three years; once per year when
homelessness is caused by domestic violence; can be used
for rent or security deposit (max. amount is $150 per
person).

IX-B, page 1 of 3

Other Cash Assistance

Kinship Care Subsidy

SSI Caretaker Supplement

(CTS)

For families with children

Individuals caring for related minor children may receive
$215 per month if meet program requirements and pass a
criminal background check. Generally not based upon
relatives income but need for the placement and
cooperation with child support agency.
Available to parents receiving SSI--$250 for first child and
$150 for each additional child. Income rules based on old
AFDC program.

Other Work Program

FoodShare Employment and Training Program
(FSET)

For adults with OR without children

For low-income adults and adults with children who are not
in a W-2 work placement. A condition of eligibility for
FoodShare unless exempt from work requirements.

Cash Assistance and/or Health Insurance

Generally for adults but sometimes children

Not available in all counties
Either cash assistance or health insurance or both to those
generally ineligible for other programs or while waiting for
SSI; each county sets its own requirements; there is no
standard from one to the next.

General Relief, General Assistance, Interim

Assistance

Note: This is only an outline of available programs. For specific details, you must talk to your local
County Department of Human Services or W-2 agency.
Remember that if you are not satisfied with the answers you receive, you have the right to appeal. Begin
by asking your caseworker why you are not eligible. If you are still not satisfied with the answer, you
may wish to speak to their supervisor. In the end, you always have the right to request a formal appeal.
For W-2 or Child Care you would request a Fact Finding. For Medicaid or FoodShare it is called a Fair
Hearing.

Eligibility for Public Benefit Programs (Current as of 07/07)

IX-B, page 2 of 3

Program Eligibility Checklist

Health Insurance
Medical Assistance

Am I eligible?

If not, why?

Food
FoodShare

Am I eligible?

If not, why?

Child Care
Child Care Subsidy

Am I eligible?

If not, why?

Cash and Work Programs

Wisconsin Works (W-2)

Am I eligible?

If not, why?

Healthy Start

BadgerCare

Job Access Loan

Emergency Assistance

Kinship Care

SSI Caretaker Supplement

FoodShare Employment and

Training Program

General Relief or
Interim Assistance

Eligibility for Public Benefit Programs (Current as of 07/07)

IX-B, page 3 of 3