Public Benefits and Income Maintenance

Public Benefits

Access Wisconsin:  Your connection to programs for Health, Nutrition, and Child Care - (800) 362-3002.

BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid:  Offers free or low-cost health care coverage to many families and pregnant women in Wisconsin.  BadgerCare Plus is designed for people who do not currently have access to health insurance.  It is not designed to replace private insurance.  (800) 362-3002

• BadgerCare Plus: What is it, and how does it work?  

FoodShare (Food Stamps):  Monthly financial assistance with grocery purchases - (800) 362-3002.

W-2 or Wisconsin Works:  Economic support for work program (>115% below Federal Poverty Level [FPL]) - (877) 855-7296.

Child Care: Who can get help paying for child care (Wisconsin Shares)?

Wisconsin SHARES:  Contact County Human Services, childcare services for low-income families.

For a list of all Wisconsin Public Benefits, click here.

How to Apply — Income Maintenance (IM) Agencies

You can apply for FoodShare, BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid, or Caretaker Supplement benefits online, by phone, by mail or in person with your local agency.

To apply online, go to ACCESS.wi.gov and click on Apply for Benefits.  ACCESS is also the fastest and easiest way to apply for all forms of BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid, and FoodShare no matter where you live in Wisconsin.

To apply by phone or in person, find your county in the map below to find the consortium that handles your area.  

To apply by mail, complete an application for each program you are applying for.  Send the completed application and any proof/verification to:

WI IM Consortia Phone Numbers & Links