While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
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The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides financial assistance to low-income families. The goal of TANF is to help families become financially self-sufficient. States and U.S. Territories receive block grants from the federal government, which are used to fund each state and territory’s specific TANF program.
Learn more about the TANF program and its primary purposes here.
In Wisconsin, the TANF program is known as Wisconsin Works (W-2). To learn more about Wisconsin Works and the assistance benefits it provides, visit the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families website here.
Temporary Assistance for Families in Wisconsin (TANF) provides temporary assistance to financially support families in need. The TANF program also provides eligible families with work preparation services to help them re-enter the workforce or find more stable employment.
For more information on the services, the TANF program provides to participating families, review the Wisconsin TANF PDF found here.
TANF and Food Assistance are both assistance programs administered by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. While Food Assistance benefits can only be used to purchase foods that have been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, TANF benefits are money that can be used however the participant sees fit, with some restrictions.
Both TANF and Food Assistance benefits can be given to participants on an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card. However, TANF benefits can be transferred directly into a participant’s bank account or withdrawn from an approved ATM. Food Assistance benefits cannot.
Many TANF participants also qualify for Food Assistance due to the low-income requirement of both programs. For more information about Food Assistance, click here.
To apply for Food Assistance and/or Wisconsin Works, visit the Wisconsin Benefit Portal here.
If you have questions about TANF or Food Assistance, call the Department of Children and Families at (608) 422-7000.
The exact benefit amount a family will receive each month will depend on their household income, size and resources.
Eligible families can receive a maximum of $628 per month. Families can receive these benefits for up to 24 months throughout their lifetime.
Learn more information about TANF and benefit amounts in Wisconsin here.
To qualify for TANF in Wisconsin, you must meet the following requirements:
Learn more about income requirements and work and training requirements here.
Caretakers of children who cannot be taken care of by their immediate family may also qualify for benefits under the Caretaker Relative Grant or Child-Only TANF Grant. This grant takes into consideration the situation of emergency caregivers and will only count the resources and the income of the child (if any) and not those of the caretaker.
To learn more about who can receive TANF benefits, click here.
You can also use the interactive ACCESS Wisconsin eligibility system here.
Before you apply for Temporary Assistance for Families in Wisconsin, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the TANF eligibility requirements here.
Find a list of what you need to apply on the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families website here.
In Wisconsin, you can only apply to Wisconsin Works in person at a local W-2 agency.
To apply for TANF in person, click here to contact your local W-2 agency.
If you have any further questions about the application process, call the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families at (608) 422-7000.
After you apply at your local W-2 office, you can call the office you applied with and inquire about your application status. To contact your W-2 office, click here.
If you applied for TANF in person, you should receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Children and Families within 30 days of receiving your application with your determination, your benefit amount and how you will be receiving the benefits, if you are eligible.
If you have a valid bank account listed on your application, your TANF benefits will be deposited within 14 days of when you receive your determination letter. Otherwise, you will receive an EBT card in the mail within 14 days.
Once you receive your benefits, you can use them to support your family as you see fit, while following the restrictions.
Note that if you receive an EBT card, or Quest Card as it is also known in Wisconsin, you will only be allowed to purchase items at stores that display the Quest Logo, and you can only withdraw cash from ATMs that display the Quest Logo.
Learn more information about how to use your EBT card and how benefits will be distributed here.
If you require additional assistance or have questions about your determination call (608) 422-7000.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), you can appeal your decision by mail, email or by phone within the time frame stated in your determination letter.
To request a fair hearing by phone, call one of the Division and Hearings and Appeals offices here. Be sure to have your determination letter on hand, as the information within it will be necessary to file your appeal with the Division.
To file an appeal by mail, you will need to fill out a Fair Hearing request form here or write a letter that includes the following information:
After filling out your Fair Hearing request form or writing an appeal letter, you can mail it and a copy of your termination letter to the following address:
Division of Hearings and Appeals
PO box 7875
53707-7875.
To request a Fair Hearing by email, fill out a Fair Hearing request found here or write your own request letter and scan it onto your computer. Email the scanned versions of your request and a copy of your determination letter to DHAMail@wisconsin.gov.
If you have any questions about the Fair Hearing process, visit the Division of Hearings and Appeals website here or contact the Division here.
For help with obtaining Temporary Assistance for Families in Wisconsin, or for any further questions about your application, call the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families at (608) 422-7000 or email the department at dcfweb@wisconsin.gov.
To send the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families information physically, you can fax your documents or questions to (608) 422-7163 or mail them to the following address:
Department of Children and Families
201 East Washington Avenue, Second Floor<
P.O. Box 8916
Madison, WI 53703-8916
You can also visit or call a local W-2 Office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free TANF Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.