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Wisconsin state assistance

sheenabobina10sheenabobina10 member
in Single Parents

Posted this on the WI board but got nothing so i'll try here:

According to the W-2 website, you have to earn $2391 or less (gross) with a family size of 2.  I earn slightly above this (earn less net) and so i'm assuming I don't qualify.  I've never applied for assistance before and I'm unfamiliar with what is all out there as an option to me.  I am going to be a single mother, working full time, and i'm afraid I will be spending so much on childcare (I have looked around and its looking like $600 a month) that I won't be able to afford my rent!  Does anyone know of any alternatives for assistance out there in Wisconsin?  I will be taking the father to court for child support but he doesn't make much and i'm not expecting to get much in that regard.  This is my first child so I don't know if the court will require him to pay part of child care.  I'm assuming he is below poverty level, which my research has shown I will only then be granted 11% of his income.  I don't know his exact income but I know that won't be much/enough to help with the costs of child care.  Any help would be appreciated if any of you have went through the court system for child support or state assistance.

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Re: Wisconsin state assistance

  • babymama619babymama619 member
    Sorry I can offer any help. But in il the case workers at family services are very helpful. I suggest you get in touch sooner than later with them. They may also offer assistance in paying for child care.

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  • EarthandFireEarthandFire member
    I'm not in WI but you can always apply. The worst they can do is deny you and you can always reapply after LO is born. Where I am you have be receiving child support or the state will file for it for you otherwise you'll lose assistance. They also have day care assistance around here. I'm not familiar with the ins and outs as I haven't used it but I worked closely with it in a past job. Depending on your relationship with BD the nice thing here about the state establishing support is that visitation is not established. That is something he would have to pursue privately. Hope that's helpful in some way.
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  • sheenabobina10sheenabobina10 member
    He has been MIA during the whole preganancy so I assume he will not try to establish any visitation.  Assuming he doesn't, we just go to court to establish support and that ends that?
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  • babymama619babymama619 member
    I spoke with a few law offices today and set up a consult. I'm
    In IL. Mostly I can't so anything until LO is here, but at least I'll know what to expect.

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  • EarthandFireEarthandFire member
    In my state if you apply for assistance, you have a little one, are unmarried and are not receiving child support your case is automatically referred to CSE (child support enforcement). You receive a packet you have to fill out for them to process a case on BD. If you don't cooperate within 6 months you lose your assistance. CSE only goes to court over child support not visitation. If WI is the same you'll get paperwork from CSE automatically after baby is born. Generally establishing CS takes some time if he fights it, is hard to track down, ect. If he doesn't acknowledge paternity you'll probably have to do a DNA test so they'll have to get him in for that. Then they'll have to set the court date. If you call your local CSEoffice they can answer questions for you too. I know some people have had problems with case workers but from what I've seen they'll help you as far as they can but like the court they have to put the child's best interest first while still being legally fair to both parties.
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  • sheenabobina10sheenabobina10 member

    Well I know he won't be hard to reach and I assume he will comply with paying child support even though it won't be much.  So until baby is born I guess I can't do much. 

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  • EarthandFireEarthandFire member
    You can still apply for assistance if you need. If they deny you, you can always reapply after LO is born.
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  • SheenafontenotSheenafontenot member
    I applied today. Hopefully I get approved for some help. Thanks
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  • sheenabobina10sheenabobina10 member
    Well I was denied.  In fact, the man on the phone made it seem like I was paid really well, almost as if it was a joke I was even applying.  He said even when the baby comes I will not qualify but I'm free to apply again.  I didn't want food share or badger care, I was only looking for a little child care assistance.  With 800 of my check going to taxes per month and paying 725 for rent, close to 600 in child care is going to break me.  I'm not anticipating to get much from child support so I'm afraid I may have to search far and wide for cheaper child care options. 
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  • EarthandFireEarthandFire member
    That really sucks. I'm not familiar with your living situation but I'm sorry the guy acted that way. It's just not right. I hate to see people who truly need help turned down when so many are taking advantage. :( Good luck. I know child care is a killer especially with an infant.
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  • sweetie0228sweetie0228 member
    edited August 2013

    https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/wic/

     

    Try this you and your child should be at least partially eligible and they can help you put you in touch with other resources. And don't just look at the income levels make and appointment and talke with someone, they can make the determinations

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