Wisconsin Assistance Programs and Benefits
Free help finding assistance programs, from Lake Michigan to the Northwoods
A January cold snap, a cut shift at the plant or a slow milk check can push a Wisconsin budget past its limit. Helping Hands shows you the Wisconsin assistance programs that fit what you're dealing with and how to reach them.
Start by telling us what you need. We lay out the programs, the eligibility basics and the Wisconsin agencies that take applications.
Our guidance stretches from Superior to Beloit and covers all 72 counties in Wisconsin. You might live in Milwaukee, Madison or Green Bay, in Dane or Waukesha County, or in a dairy town where the co-op sits next to the church. None of it costs you anything.
Wisconsin help comes from the Department of Health Services, county and tribal agencies, federal programs, food banks and community action agencies. We help you figure out where each one fits.
Check Your Eligibility for Free
Each program follows its own rules. Your income, household size, age, disability, housing costs and work history can all affect what you qualify for.
Helping Hands narrows the list to programs that may fit and names the first application to fill out.
Wisconsin Financial Assistance Programs
A layoff, a farm season gone wrong or a surprise hospital stay can drain a savings account. Wisconsin families can look into several kinds of financial help, depending on their situation.
If you can't keep up with the basics, we help you find the resources that fit and show you where to apply.
Helping Hands can help you locate information about programs and resources involving:
Wisconsin Food Assistance and FoodShare (SNAP) Benefits
Groceries take a larger bite out of the paycheck every year.
Helping Hands explains Wisconsin food assistance programs, including FoodShare, Wisconsin's name for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). FoodShare members get benefits on a QUEST card that works like a debit card at approved stores.
Struggling to fill the fridge? Checking whether you qualify for FoodShare is a good place to start.
You can apply for FoodShare and BadgerCare Plus through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) online at ACCESS or through your county or tribal agency.
We can also help Wisconsin residents locate:
Wisconsin Utility Bill Assistance
Wisconsin winters bring subzero nights and months of snow, and heating bills climb to match. Falling behind on gas, electric or propane puts your household at risk of a shutoff once spring arrives.
Qualifying Wisconsin households can find utility assistance programs here, along with the agency that runs each one.
Resources may include information about:
LIHEAP Help in Wisconsin: WHEAP
Wisconsin runs the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), run by the Wisconsin Department of Administration.
WHEAP helps with part of your heating and electric costs, and it also offers crisis help. County offices, tribes and local agencies take applications, and funding and rules change each year, so confirm details with the agency that serves you.
We help you find that agency and start your application.
Wisconsin Rental Assistance and Housing Assistance
Rent can outpace a paycheck in Madison and Milwaukee, and a job loss can make it impossible anywhere in the state.
Behind on rent, facing eviction, searching for an affordable place or worried about losing your home? We find the Wisconsin programs and local groups that may help with rent or a mortgage.
Helping Hands provides information about housing resources that may be available to qualifying Wisconsin residents, including:
Section 8 and Housing Assistance in Wisconsin
Wisconsinites looking for affordable housing should know about Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and other subsidized housing.
Local housing authorities run these programs, and rules and wait lists differ from one city to the next.
Helping Hands can provide information and resources to help you understand:
Wisconsin Eviction Assistance
An eviction notice gives you little time. If you got one or fell behind on rent, ask for help now.
Through our pages you can reach rental assistance, eviction prevention, emergency housing, legal aid and local community resources in Wisconsin.
Help may come from nonprofits, legal aid groups, local agencies or housing programs, depending on your circumstances.
Foreclosure Prevention Assistance in Wisconsin
Homeowners who hit a rough patch have the most options before missed payments add up.
Wisconsin homeowners can get foreclosure prevention and housing counseling information and referrals from us.
If you might lose your home, call your mortgage servicer and a housing counselor early.
Wisconsin Assistance for Seniors
Older Wisconsinites may qualify for help with health care, meals, housing, transportation and monthly bills.
For Medicare and Medigap questions, call the Wisconsin Medigap Helpline at 1-800-242-1060.
Helping Hands provides information about resources that may be available to older adults, including:
Wisconsin BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid and Medicare Resources
A fall on winter ice or a long stay at a Milwaukee hospital can leave big bills, and seniors, people with disabilities and families with low incomes struggle most to pay them.
Helping Hands helps you find information about Medicare, BadgerCare Plus, Wisconsin Medicaid, health-care assistance and other medical resources that fit your situation.
Medicare, BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid each follow their own rules, so review the current requirements for the program you want.
Disability Assistance in Wisconsin
Wisconsinites with a disability may qualify for specialized programs, long-term care options and community support.
Each program sets its own qualifications, so look at them one program at a time.
Helping Hands can help Wisconsin residents locate information about resources involving:
Legal Assistance for Wisconsin Residents
Benefit denials, landlord disputes and money trouble can all call for legal help.
Wisconsinites who qualify can tap legal aid and free legal resources, and we help you find the right office.
Wisconsin legal aid groups each decide which clients they can serve for free or at low cost.
Legal assistance may be particularly relevant for issues involving:
Education, Employment and Training Assistance
A single payment can patch a hole. A better job keeps it from opening again.
Helping Hands also shares education, job training and workforce resources that can help Wisconsinites grow their skills and build a steadier income.
Resources may include:
Wisconsin Food Banks and Emergency Food Resources
Need food today? Food banks and pantries serve Wisconsin communities from Kenosha to Superior.
Our Wisconsin listings show food pantries and meal programs close to home, with options for families, seniors, people with disabilities and anyone between paychecks.
Fridge empty or a disconnection notice on the counter? Dial 2-1-1 in Wisconsin. 211 Wisconsin connects you with local services statewide.
Assistance Available Throughout All 72 Wisconsin Counties
Our program guidance takes in all 72 counties in Wisconsin, from the Northwoods to the Illinois line.
Our Wisconsin resources reach cities, lake towns and farm country, including:
- Milwaukee
- Madison
- Green Bay
- Kenosha
- Racine
- Appleton
- Waukesha
- Eau Claire
- Oshkosh
- Janesville
- West Allis
- La Crosse
- Sheboygan
- Wausau
- Fond du Lac
- Milwaukee County
- Dane County
- Waukesha County
- Brown County
- Racine County
- And communities throughout Wisconsin
From a Milwaukee duplex to a farmhouse in Marathon County, the help open to you depends on your household and the programs running in your area.
How Helping Hands Can Help
Sorting through agencies, forms, rules and wait lists takes time you may not have.
Helping Hands serves as your guide to the options open to Wisconsinites.
Our goal is to help you:
- Identify programs that may match your situation.
- Understand basic eligibility requirements.
- Find the appropriate agency or organization.
- Learn where and how to apply.
- Locate additional resources if one program does not meet your needs.
From Kenosha to Superior, our help and resource information cost you nothing.
Need Help in Wisconsin? Start Here.
Food, rent, heating, medical bills or another crisis keeping you up at night? You don't have to track down every program by yourself.
Share your situation, and we'll point out the Wisconsin agencies and organizations worth a call.
Common Wisconsin Assistance Programs
Food & Nutrition
- FoodShare (SNAP)
- EBT information
- Food banks
- Food pantries
- Emergency food assistance
Housing
- Rental assistance
- Section 8
- Low-income housing
- Eviction assistance
- Foreclosure prevention
- Emergency housing
Utilities
- LIHEAP (WHEAP)
- Electric assistance
- Gas assistance
- Utility bill assistance
Financial Assistance
- Emergency financial assistance
- Cash assistance
- Family assistance
- Single-parent resources
- Community grants and assistance
Health & Senior Services
- Medicare
- BadgerCare Plus (Medicaid)
- Senior assistance
- Disability resources
- Health-care assistance
Other Resources
- Legal assistance
- Education
- Job training
- Workforce resources
- Community services
Immediate Wisconsin Assistance
Need help right now? Dial 2-1-1 for 211 Wisconsin to ask about food, shelter, heating and other emergency help near you.
For FoodShare and BadgerCare Plus, contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) or your county or tribal agency.
For Medicare and Medigap questions, call the Wisconsin Medigap Helpline at 1-800-242-1060.
From FoodShare to WHEAP, Helping Hands makes Wisconsin's programs easier to understand.
Explore Wisconsin assistance programs today, from FoodShare to BadgerCare Plus, and see where you may qualify.
Helping Hands is a resource and information service. Program eligibility, availability, funding, and application requirements are determined by the applicable government agency, nonprofit organization, housing authority, or other program administrator. Providing information about a program does not guarantee eligibility or approval.
