COVID-19: Response Resources for Wisconsinites

Unemployment insurance

If you have become unemployed or partially unemployed (for example, your hours were cut), you could be eligible for unemployment insurance. The Job Center of Wisconsin offers free internet access to file for unemployment insurance and to search for a job.

Income tax credits

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC or EIC) helps working people with low to moderate income. You must meet certain qualifications and file a tax return, even if you do not owe any tax. EITC reduces the amount of tax you owe and may give you a refund. For more information, visit the IRS website on the Earned Income Tax Credit. The ACCESS website can also be used to let you know if you might be eligible for EITC, child, and Homestead tax credits.

Child support

The Wisconsin Child Support Agency has information for:

• Custodial parents on applying for child support services.
• Noncustodial parents on requesting a modification (changing your order). If your income has changed, you may want to look into having your order adjusted.

Wisconsin Works (W-2)

Parents and pregnant women with low incomes may be eligible for Wisconsin Works (W-2). The program can provide case management and/or cash assistance to eligible families. See the W-2 Benefits and Services brochure for more information. You can find out if you may be eligible for W-2 online through the ACCESS website or apply at your local W-2 agency.

FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Congress authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide financial assistance to individuals who incurred COVID-19-related funeral expenses after January 20, 2020. FEMA began accepting applications April 12, 2021.

This program can pay for things like the service, internment, cremation, a casket or urn, burial plot, marker or headstone, etc. for up to $9,000 per funeral. More information is available on FEMA's website.

To be eligible for assistance:

• The death must have happened in the United States, including the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.
• The death certificate must say that the death was related to or caused by COVID-19.
• The person applying for assistance must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who was responsible for funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.
• There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien.

Call the toll-free number to complete an application with help from a FEMA representative. Multiple languages are available when you call. Online applications will not be accepted.

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number:  844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT

Families are encouraged to have all the necessary documentation before calling FEMA. Applicants will need:

• Certified copy of the death certificate that says the death was caused by or related to COVID-19: You can obtain a certified death certificate from your local county Register of Deeds office, even if the death occurred in a different county. The first certified death certificate costs $20, and it's $3 for each additional certified death certificate. The cost of the certificate is reimbursable through the FEMA funeral assistance program as part of their application.
• Funeral expense documents: You will need itemized receipts, a funeral home contract, etc. that include the applicant's name, the deceased person's name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the expenses happened.
• Proof of assistance received from any other source: Other sources include assistance from Wisconsin Funeral and Cemetery Aids Program or military service-related reimbursements.

For more information on who can apply, examples of covered expenses, and other information on the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program, visit the FEMA Funeral Assistance FAQ page.

Managing personal finances in tough times

A number of websites have information on managing your finances during COVID-19.

• The UW Extension has contact information for free or low-cost financial counselors, highlights common financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and provides links to government websites and assistance that might be available.
• CSBS (originally the Conference of State Bank Supervisors) has information on temporary government relief programs and examples of common COVID-19-related scams and tips on how to avoid them.
• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau links to information and resources to protect and manage personal finances during the pandemic, including information on mortgage assistance, managing finances, student loans, and avoiding scams.
• The National Disability Institute (NDI) Financial Resilience Center has information and resources to address the impact of COVID-19 on the financial and personal health of people with disabilities and those with chronic health conditions, as well as their families and communities.
• Entering your zip code into 211 Financial Information Services provides information about financial services that may be available in your area. Alternately, call 211 (or 877-947-2211 for video relay services) any time of day, every day of the year, to speak with someone who can connect you with services.

Credit counseling

The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has information on Dealing with Debt Problems and a list of credit counseling agencies that can provide budget counseling, credit counseling, bankruptcy counseling, and more.

The Federal Health Insurance Marketplace and Covering Wisconsin

If you are uninsured, the federal Health Insurance Marketplace can help you find coverage and purchase private health insurance. Assistance with premiums and cost sharing is available to individuals and families, depending on household size and income.

If you need help, Covering Wisconsin can connect you with a health care navigator who will help you find and enroll in the health insurance coverage you need. Navigators can also provide education on how to use your health insurance. This assistance is provided for free, and Covering Wisconsin is available in 16 languages through the use of interpreters and translation services.

Wisconsin Medicaid

To find out if you could be eligible or to apply online for health care coverage through any of the Wisconsin Medicaid programs, visit the ACCESS website. You can apply:

• By clicking on “Apply for Benefits” on the ACCESS website.
• By calling your agency.
• By filling out a paper application, F-16019A.

For more information on how to apply, visit the Guide to Applying for Wisconsin’s Health, Nutrition, and Other Programs, P-16091 (PDF) or go to the Department of Health Services’ Forward Health website.

Free or low cost health care

Many clinics in Wisconsin provide services for people with little or no insurance, including:

• Free and low cost clinics (list and map)
• Low or no cost dentists
• Federally Qualified Health Centers: FQHCs are community-based organizations that provide comprehensive primary care and preventive care, including health, oral, and mental health, and substance abuse services to people of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay.
• Rural health centers
• Tribal health centers

Special health care situations

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services also has information about:

• Free and reduced health care services (including vision, prescription drug, and hospital services).
• Help with medical bills or debt.
• Assistance when you or someone you care for has a disability or chronic illness.
• Health insurance and benefits for Wisconsin veterans.

211 Wisconsin Food Pantries

211 is available to help with all kinds of needs, in every part of the state. Enter your zip code into the Wisconsin 211 website to learn about food pantries in your area. Alternately, call 211 (or 1-877-947-2211 for video relay services) any time of day, every day of the year, to speak with someone who can connect you with services.

FoodShare

Also known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or food stamps, FoodShare helps people with limited money buy food. Monthly benefit amounts depend on your income and the number of people in your home. You can apply for FoodShare:

• Online through the ACCESS website. Click "Apply for Benefits."
• By calling your local income maintenance agency.
• By filling out and sending a paper application, F-16019A.

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program

WIC provides supplemental nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, and connections to other community services for lower income pregnant women, infants, women who are breastfeeding, postpartum women, and children younger than five years old.

• See the Wisconsin Department of Health Services for WIC eligibility rules.
• Contact a local WIC office to apply.

Elder nutrition programs

For information on participating in a program that provides meals to adults aged 60 and older, contact your county or tribal nutrition program.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

CSFP offers free, nutritious foods to low-income individuals aged 60 years and older. Monthly income limits are $1,354 for a single person or $1,832 for a family of two (for larger families add $479 for each additional member).

Find housing help anywhere in Wisconsin

• 211: Get information and referrals 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
  • Call 211 (or dial 877-947-2211 to use video relay services).
  • Text your ZIP code to 898211.
  • Live chat or search the 211 website.
• WISCAP: To find your local agency, visit the WISCAP website and click on your county.

Emergency assistance

Emergency assistance is a one-time payment that can help low-income parents pay an emergency housing or utility-related expense. Emergency assistance payments can be used to:

• Stop an eviction from your current apartment.
• Pay a security deposit on a new apartment if you have been evicted.
• Pay a utility bill if your heat, electricity, sewer, or water service has been stopped.

You can apply for emergency assistance through your local W-2 agency.

Critical Assistance (CA) Program

The CA Program is designed to provide direct emergency financial assistance toward housing costs of low- and moderate-income households. The program serves 69 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties (it is not available in Dane, Milwaukee, or Racine counties). Applicants may be eligible for help once every three years with one of the following:

• Security deposit
• Rent
• Mortgage
• Utilities
• Property taxes

Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) landlord-tenant issues

DATCP’s Guide for Landlords and Tenants answers commonly asked questions about landlord-tenant rights and responsibilities in simple language. The guide is intended to help landlords and tenants avoid common problems and resolve them when they do occur. It is not a comprehensive guide or a substitute for legal advice. The agency does not provide financial assistance or information on resources that do.

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)

WHEDA has a variety of options for homeowners who are having difficulties making mortgage payments. Depending on the type of loan you have, you may be eligible for suspended or reduced payments, a repayment plan to catch up on past due amounts, or a change to the terms of your loan. Credit counseling and answers to frequently asked questions are also on the WHEDA website.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

The CFPB has information and resources to help individuals protect and manage personal finances during the pandemic, including information on mortgage relief options for federally or government sponsored enterprise backed or funded loans (for example, through the FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac). CFPB provides information about options, but does not provide direct assistance with mortgage payments.

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Making Home Affordable

If you are experiencing difficulty communicating with your mortgage company or lender about your need for mortgage relief, housing counselors are available to help at no cost. Call 888-995-HOPE (4673). The sooner you call, the more options may be available to you. The Making Home Affordable Program provides information about options, but does not provide direct assistance with mortgage payments.

Emergency assistance

Emergency assistance is a one-time payment that can help low-income parents pay an emergency housing or utility-related expense. Emergency assistance payments can be used to:

• Pay a utility bill if your heat, electricity, sewer, or water service has been stopped.
• Pay a security deposit on a new apartment if you have been evicted.
• Stop an eviction from your current apartment.

You can apply for emergency assistance through your local W-2 agency.

Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)

Low- and moderate-income households may be eligible for heating and electric assistance through WHEAP. Other services include:

• Emergency fuel assistance.
• Counseling for energy conservation and energy budgets.
• Proactive copayment plans.
• Targeted outreach services.
• Emergency furnace repair and replacement.

For more information, call 1-866-HEATWIS (432-8947). You can also call this number or visit the website to find out where to apply.

Free internet access

• Job Center of Wisconsin locations offer free internet access to look for a job and/or file for unemployment insurance.
• This map contains information about free public WiFi locations across Wisconsin. Click on a dot to see details about an access site near you.

Wisconsin Shares

The Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program supports low-income working families by paying for a portion of the cost of child care so that parents or other approved caregivers can work, go to school, or participate in approved work training programs. Wisconsin Shares is implemented locally by counties and tribes. You can apply for Wisconsin Shares:

• Online through the ACCESS website. Click "Apply for Benefits."
• By calling your local income maintenance agency.
• By filling out and sending a paper application, F-16019A.

Child care availability map

Use this Department of Children and Families website to search for available child care by county or zip code. The map will give you a list of providers, addresses, available slots, and contact information.

Information for families

This Department of Children and Families website contains information to help families navigate making decisions around enrolling their child in a group or family child care program; finding safe, high-quality care; and staying safe in the months ahead.

Aging and disability resource centers (ADRCs)

Contact your local ADRC to get accurate, unbiased information on all aspects of life related to aging or living with a disability, including meeting basic needs such as housing, food, and financial assistance. Find your local ADRC through the Department of Health Services website.

If you are a tribal member who is age 60+ or living with a disability, you may choose to contact a tribal aging and disability resource specialist. If your tribe does not have an aging and disability resource specialist, your local ADRC can help you.

Benefit specialists

Benefit specialists help older adults and people with disabilities with questions and problems related to benefits such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, FoodShare, and health insurance.

• You can find a benefit specialist at the ADRC or aging office in your county of residence.
• If you are a tribal member, you may choose to contact a tribal benefit specialist.
• If you are Deaf, hard of hearing, or Deaf-Blind and need help with your benefits, you may choose to contact the Deaf disability benefit specialist in the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. These services are offered statewide.

Elder nutrition programs

For information on participating in an elder nutrition program that provides meals to adults aged 60 and older, contact your county or tribal nutrition program.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

CSFP offers free, nutritious foods to low-income individuals aged 60 years and older. Monthly income limits are $1,354 for a single person or $1,832 for a family of two (for larger families add $479 for each additional member).

National Disability Institute (NDI) Financial Resilience Center

The NDI Financial Resilience Center has information and resources to address the impact of COVID-19 on the financial and personal health of people with disabilities and those with chronic health conditions, as well as their families and communities.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services COVID-19 Resources

DHS has print materials on COVID-19 in several languages and videos of COVID-19-related information in American Sign Language.

The National Resource Center on Advancing Emergency Preparedness for Culturally Diverse Communities

This web-based library contains resources and information on disaster preparedness for culturally diverse communities and other at-risk populations. Resources are available in multiple languages, appropriate to diverse cultures, and cover various emergency contexts. By clicking on “Resource Type,” individuals can narrow the documents to “Resources for public and lay audiences.”

Resilient Wisconsin: A Guide to Sources of Support During COVID-19, P-02670 (PDF)

This short guide provides a list of organizations supporting individuals with mental health or substance use concerns, and highlights specialized programs that offer culturally appropriate care and support to people with mental and behavioral health challenges who belong to underserved populations.

Resources for African American communities

• The Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin provides a wealth of information, including regular live events on a variety of topics.
• The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness is located in Madison, and offers a number of resources, programs, and advocacy to take a whole-life wellness approach to serving and supporting women to improve their health and quality of life, and to disrupt the disparities that impact our health outcomes.

Covering Wisconsin

Covering Wisconsin has flyers in Spanish on using ForwardHealth (Wisconsin Medicaid) insurance, making appointments, and where to go when you’re sick:

• Cómo comenzar a usar el Seguro (PDF)
• Cómo pedir una Cita (PDF)
• A donde ir cuando Estoy Enfermo (PDF)

Family Health La Clinica

Family Health La Clinica believes people have a right to quality health care services that are efficient, effective and accessible. They provide care that is compassionate and delivered in a dignified and respectful manner by a culturally competent and highly professional team of people. The entire website is available in English and Spanish. Services are available in five locations in rural Wisconsin.

Tribal health centers

This DHS website provides a list, links, and contact information for the Tribal health centers in Wisconsin.

Eldercare Locator
Find help in your community
800-677-1116

Caregiver Help Desk
Support to keep you and your loved ones safe
855-227-3640

Wisconsin's Family Caregiver Support Programs: Virtual events for caregivers

COPLINE
Support from retired law enforcement officers who understand the stressors of law enforcement careers
800-267-5463

For the Frontlines​
Connect with a crisis counselor
Text FRONTLINE to 741741

Physician Support Line
Support for doctors facing mental health challenges
888-409-0141

Safe Call Now
Connect with resources to help you through a crisis
206-459-3020

Wisconsin Farm Center
Support for farmers and their families
800-942-2474

24/7 Farmer Wellness Hotline
Connect with a licensed mental health professional
888-901-2558

LGBT National ​Hotline
888-843-4564

PRISM Program (LGBTQ Youth)
608-336-7974

Trans Lifeline
877-565-8860

The Trevor Project for LGBTQ Youth
866-488-7386
Text START to 678678

Boys Town National Hotline
Connect with a counselor
800-448-3000
Text VOICE to 20121

National Parent Helpline
Get emotional support from a trained advocate and become empowered and a stronger parent
855-427-2736

Hotlines and helplines

Virtual meetings

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
• Hearing Voices Network USA

All Wisconsin counties have a behavioral health crisis hotline. Find the phone number for your county.

Helplines and hotlines

Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline
Connect with support services in your area
833-944-4673

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Find treatment services in your community
800-662-HELP

Virtual meetings

All Wisconsin counties have a behavioral health crisis hotline. Find the phone number for your county.

R&R House
Speak with a veteran who understands what you are going through
262-336-9540

Veterans Crisis Line
Support for veterans struggling to cope with life's challenges
988, press 1

TEEN LINE
Support for teens experiencing a mental health challenge
Text TEEN to 839863

Your Life, Your Voice
Connect with a counselor
800-448-3000
Text VOICE to 20121