WISCONSIN

Wisconsin Works (W-2)

Wisconsin Works (W-2) is one of Wisconsin’s time-limited work-based programs available to low-income parents and pregnant women who meet eligibility requirements.

Unlike many other states that base benefits on household size, Wisconsin provides the same W-2 cash payment to participants, regardless of family size.

The program offers W-2 participants cash payments of up to $653 per month for participating in job training and employment programs.

How do I apply for W-2 in Wisconsin?

Applications for W-2 can be made in person at the local W-2 Agency  or online via ACCESS website . An interactive interview is also provided at the ACCESS website to help you determine if you might be eligible for W-2.

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
W-2 Customer Service Line
(855) 757-4539

Wisconsin Refugee Cash Assistance

As of May 5, 2025, the eligibility period for RCA in Wisconsin has been shortened from 12 months to 4 months from your date of arrival or date of granted status.¹

Under the Refugee Cash Assistance  (RCA) program, Wisconsin also provides temporary cash assistance to refugees during their first 4 months in the United States.

The program is intended to provide temporary monthly payments to help newly arrived refugees meet basic needs like food, rent, and transportation.

You may be eligible for RCA if you are a:

• Refugee;
• Special Immigration Visa holder (SIV)
• Asylee;
• Cuban-Haitian entrant;
• Certain Amerasian;
• Victim of trafficking; or
• Any other group eligible for refugee benefits under federal law

Often provided alongside RCA, the Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) provides short-term health coverage to those who are not eligible for BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid.

To apply for Wisconsin Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA), you can either work with your local resettlement agency  or apply in person at a local W-2 Agency , which administers the program at the local level.

As a condition of receiving RCA, you are required to participate in employment services to help you find a job and become self-sufficient.

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
Refugee Programs Section
(414) 270-4744

FoodShare Wisconsin

FoodShare Wisconsin provides monthly benefits to families with limited income to help pay for the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet.

Anyone is eligible but the program is designed to help those who need food assistance most. Single mothers living on small or fixed income, the elderly, people with disabilities are given highest priority.

Benefit levels vary from family to family. For example, a family of three in Wisconsin with no income may receive up to $785 in monthly benefits.

How do I sign up for FoodShare in Wisconsin?

You can apply for SNAP (FoodShare) in Wisconsin online through ACCESS  or in person at your local county or Tribal agency .

As part of the application process, you will need to complete an eligibility interview, which can be done by phone or in person.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services
FoodShare Helpline
(877) 366-3635

Wisconsin SUN Bucks

SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, is a new grocery benefits program that provides families with $120 per eligible school-aged child when school is out for the summer.

SUN Bucks can be used to purchase the same foods approved for SNAP, including

• Breads and cereals
• Fruits and vegetables
• Meats, fish and poultry
• Dairy products
• Seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat
• Soft drinks, candy, cookies, snack crackers and ice cream
• Seafood, steak and bakery cakes

Most families will automatically get Summer EBT benefits if they already receive other benefits like FoodShare, W-2 or Medicaid with a qualifying family income.

If you’re not sure if you need to apply or will get SUN Bucks automatically, use this eligibility checker  to find out.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Summer EBT Helpline
(833) 431-2224

Wisconsin Shares

Wisconsin’s Child Care Subsidy Program, known as Wisconsin Shares, helps low-income working families with children under the age of 13 pay for child care.

The program only pays for a portion of the child care costs, and the remaining cost is co-paid by the parent. The co-payment can be as low as 2%  of the family’s gross income.

The chosen child care provider must be licensed or certified and participate in YoungStar , Wisconsin’s child care quality rating system, with a rating of at least 2 stars.

What is the income limit for child care assistance in Wisconsin?

Beginning July 1, 2024, the family’s gross monthly income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level at the time of initial application. Families may remain enrolled in the program until their income exceeds 85% of the State Median Income (SMI).

For example, for a family of three, with one parent and two children, earning less than $4,442 would be deemed income eligible.

How do I apply for child care assistance in Wisconsin?

You may apply online through ACCESS  or apply in person at any W-2 agency  near you. Either way, you’ll have to go through a phone interview to determine your eligibility.

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
Milwaukee Enrollment Services (MilES)
(888) 947-6583

If you reside outside Milwaukee County, call 211 to be directed to the appropriate local child care assistance agency.

Wisconsin Get Kids Ready

Wisconsin Get Kids Ready  is a new state-funded program starting in the 2026—27 school year, providing free 4-year-old kindergarten at participating childcare providers.

The program is designed to expand access to early education by allowing families to use trusted community-based providers, rather than limiting 4K to traditional public school settings.

A list of child care providers planning to participate in Get Kids Ready will be available on February 15, 2026. To enroll, parents must submit an application directly to an approved participating provider.

If you have specific questions about the program, you can use the official online inquiry form .

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
Division of Early Care and Education
(608) 422-6002

Wisconsin Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Wisconsin WIC provides supplemental foods, nutrition education and referrals to health care, at no cost, to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5.

To be eligible, you must be a Wisconsin resident, have a household income within limits set by the state, and be individually determined to be at nutritional risk by a qualified health professional.

What is the income limit for WIC in Wisconsin?

WIC serves women, infants, and children in Wisconsin whose income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. That’s about $4,109 per month for a family of three.

How do I sign up for WIC in Wisconsin?

To sign up for WIC, contact a local WIC office near you . If you are eligible, you will receive an eWIC card to purchase approved healthy foods at participating grocery stores.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program
(800) 722-2295

Wisconsin BadgerCare Plus

BadgerCare Plus offers free or low-cost health care coverage to eligible adults, children and families in Wisconsin as well as pregnant women.

BadgerCare Plus covers types of health care services such as:

• Basic medical needs
• Mental health
• Care in certain settings
• Assisted living
• Pregnancy and family planning

Among a few remaining non-expansion states, Wisconsin is one of the only two states that provides full Medicaid coverage to parents and adults with incomes up to the poverty threshold.

What is the income limit for BadgerCare in Wisconsin?

BadgerCare Plus covers adults with incomes at or below 100% of the poverty threshold and up to 306% FPL for pregnant women and children under the age of 19.

How do I apply for Medicaid in Wisconsin?

Individuals who are interested in applying for BadgerCare Plus coverage may enroll online through Wisconsin ACCESS  or in person at your local county or tribal agency .

If you are not eligible for BadgerCare Plus, you may find other coverage options on the Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov .

Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Covering Wisconsin
(877) 942-6837

Wisconsin Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA)

Wisconsin Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) is a federal program providing temporary health coverage, similar to Medicaid, for eligible refugees and certain non-citizens who don’t qualify for regular Medicaid

As of May 5, 2025, the eligibility period for RMA in Wisconsin has been shortened from 12 months to 4 months from your date of arrival or date of granted status.¹

RMA is designed to mirror the state’s Medicaid program, providing the same level of care such as doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and emergency care.

If you are denied regular Medicaid, you must apply for RMA at your local W-2 Agency  serving your geographic area. Bring your I-94 or other immigration documents that confirm your status and arrival date.

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
Refugee Programs Section
(414) 270-4744

Wisconsin Housing Choice Voucher Program

Wisconsin Housing Choice Voucher Program helps Wisconsin families with very low to extremely low incomes rent decent, safe, and affordable housing of their choice.

Eligible families pay between 30-40% of their income for rent. The balance is subsidized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Program eligibility is determined by:

• the number of members in a household,
• a family’s gross annual income, and
• criminal background checks.

How do I apply for Section 8 housing in Wisconsin?

WHEDA currently works with local agents to serve residents in 48 Wisconsin counties. All applications are handled by the appointed local agencies , as waitlists are managed locally.

Once an application has been submitted the agency will verify the information given to determine eligibility.

Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)

Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) provides assistance to low-income households across the state to help lower the burden incurred with monthly energy costs.

WHEAP assistance is a one-time payment during the heating season, which runs from October 1 to May 15, that pays a portion of the heating costs.

In addition to regular heating and electric assistance, specialized services include:

• Emergency fuel assistance,
• Counseling for energy conservation and energy budgets,
• Pro-active co payment plans,
• Targeted outreach services,
• Emergency furnace repair and replacement.

The amount of the energy assistance benefit varies depending on a variety of factors, including the household’s size, income, and energy costs.

What is the income limit for WHEAP?

Households are income-eligible for WHEAP when the household’s gross income is equal to or less than 60% of the State Median Income (SMI) for their household size. The current guidelines are shown in the table below.

How do I apply for fuel assistance in Wisconsin?

To apply for fuel assistance (WHEAP) in Wisconsin, you must complete a Home Energy Plus application through the local WHEAP agency near you or apply online .

For more information on how to apply or to locate your local agency, please call

Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program
Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
(866) 432-8947

Wisconsin Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

NOTICE: Funding is no longer available for LIHWAP. Households may not receive LIHWAP benefits at this time.

Wisconsin LIHWAP offers one-time emergency assistance up to $1,000 to help qualified households pay their residential water and wastewater past due utility bills.

Households that meet the WHEAP income eligibility requirements are also deemed as categorically income-eligible for LIHWAP assistance. Priority is given to households with the elderly, disabled or a young child under age 6.

How do I get help with my water bill in Wisconsin?

If you are in danger of falling behind on your water bills and need help, please call (833) 426-9472 to directly connect with a LIHWAP eligibility specialist.

Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance

Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance (UI) provide temporary financial assistance to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.

In order to be eligible for unemployment benefits, you must have earned a minimum amount of wages in a recent base period  and must have:

1. wages from covered employment in at least two quarters of your base period, and
2. wages in the three lowest-earning quarters of your base period that, when combined, equal at least four times your Weekly Benefit Rate (WBR), and
3. total base-period wages of at least 35 times your Weekly Benefit Rate (WBR).

For example, if your Weekly Benefit Rate (WBR) is $200,

• your wages in your three lowest quarters must total at least $800 ($200 × 4), and
• your total base-period wages must be at least $7,000 ($200 × 35).

How much is unemployment benefits in Wisconsin?

Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $370 per week ² for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.

The Department of Workforce Development has an online weekly benefit rate calculator  to calculate an estimate of what you might receive in benefits.

How do I apply for unemployment in Wisconsin?

You can apply for unemployment benefits online through Wisconsin UI Claimant Portal . If you can’t file online, you can call a claims specialist at (414) 435-7069 during business hours.

As a condition of eligibility, you are also required to register with Job Center of Wisconsin  and actively seek suitable employment each week that you are collecting benefits.

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
Unemployment Insurance Division
(414) 435-7069

Wisconsin Tuition Grant

The Wisconsin Tuition Grant (WTG) provides need-based financial assistance to eligible undergraduate students attending private, non-profit colleges and universities in Wisconsin.

Eligibility is based on the Student Aid Index (SAI), with awards gradually phasing out at higher SAI levels. Students in private, non-profit colleges with an SAI of 10,000 or less may qualify for the maximum award of $4,850.

How much is the Wisconsin Grant?

Award amounts are set by the Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB) and vary based on the school attended and the student’s financial need.

To be considered for this grant, you must complete the FAFSA each year by April 1. Selection is based upon financial need with a limit of 10 semesters of eligibility.

Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board
(608) 267-2206

Wisconsin Tuition Promise

The Wisconsin Tuition Promise provides last-dollar financial assistance to eligible Wisconsin residents attending a participating University of Wisconsin campus.

This program is designed to cover the remaining cost of tuition and fees after federal and state grants, scholarships, and other gift aid have been applied.

Because it is a last-dollar program, award amounts vary by campus and based on other aid a student receives.

• Covers: Remaining tuition and segregated fees after grants and scholarships
• Income Eligibility: Generally AGI ≤ $55,000
• Duration: Up to 4 years (2 years for associate programs)

There is no separate application for the Wisconsin Tuition Promise. To be considered, submit the FAFSA each year. Eligible students are automatically awarded if they meet the requirements.

Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board
(608) 267-2206

Wisconsin Earned Income Tax Credit

Wisconsin was among the first states to adopt an EITC program, offering working families with at least one qualifying child a percentage refund of the taxes they pay.

Wisconsin’s EITC is calculated based on a percentage of the federal credit for which filers are eligible and varies depending on the number of qualifying children.

For example, for workers with three or more children, the Wisconsin ETIC equals 34% of the federal ETIC or about $2,736 in tax credit. A filer in Wisconsin without dependent children is not eligible for the state EITC.