More Wisconsin Families May Soon Receive Help Paying for Child Care

Thursday, June 27th, 2024 -- 9:00 AM

(Madison Lammert, Appleton Post-Crescent) More Wisconsin families may soon receive help paying for child care, thanks to upcoming changes to Wisconsin Shares, the state’s child care subsidy program.

According to Madison Lammert with the Appleton Post-Crescent, starting July 1, the program’s income eligibility limit will increase. Also, some families will see smaller copays. Wisconsin Shares helps qualifying families by paying a monthly portion of their child care costs.

The amount of the subsidy depends on a variety of factors, including the family’s income, location of the child care provider, their provider's price, ages of the child or children, family size and whether their child or children attend care part-time or full-time.

Some families are required to make a copayment, also based on a variety of factors. This gets deducted from their subsidy. The remaining amount of the subsidy is loaded onto an electronic benefit transfer card for families to use solely to pay for child care at their authorized provider.

Families using Wisconsin Shares are responsible for paying the difference between what their provider charges and what they receive on their EBT card. Based on January to March 2024 data, the average statewide monthly subsidy payment, which includes families’ copayments, was $1,427. The average statewide copayment was $130. Not all child care providers choose to accept Wisconsin Shares, or are eligible.

To take Shares, a provider must be regulated and have at least a 2-star rating on YoungStar, the state’s optional child care quality rating system. Wisconsin Shares may also help cover registration fees, under some circumstances.

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