Program Overview

Wisconsin’s Childcare Assistance program, also called Wisconsin Shares, helps families pay for a portion of the cost of childcare. If the parent is eligible, childcare can be subsidized for children under the age of 13 (up to 19 if the child has special needs). Parents with low incomes, those participating in W-2 employment programs and parents who are in school are generally eligible. If the parent is eligible for childcare financial assistance, childcare providers chosen by parents must be regulated and participating in the YoungStar quality rating system.

A parent, a foster parent, relative, or person acting in place of a parent may apply for assistance, but they must need childcare to be able to participate in one of the following activities:

• Employment
• School or a combination of school and work
• Participation in the Wisconsin Works (W-2) or Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF) programs
• Attending high school if under 20 years old
• Certain components of the FoodShare Employment and Training Program (FSET)

Income Eligibility Requirement

To be initially eligible, the family's gross monthly income must be equal to or less than 200% the federal poverty level (FPL) for the corresponding group size. Families may continue to be eligible up to 85% State Median Income (SMI). Foster parents, kinship relatives who receive a kinship care benefit for the child and have a court order for their placement, and subsidized guardians have different income eligibility requirements.

For Questions and Applications

For more information or to apply for Childcare, please call the Northern Income Maintenance Consortium at 888-794-5722 or visit https://access.wi.gov. Inquiries and applications can also be made at a Human Services office at the River Block and Patriot Towers Buildings.