Adoption Assistance Program

Adoption assistance (AA) is a supportive resource for children who have been adopted and their families. Adoption assistance may provide:

Foster Care Medicaid;
One-Time Reimbursement of Adoption-Related Expenses; and
Monthly subsidy, if eligible.

Adoption assistance is established by an agreement between the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the adoptive parent(s). An Adoption Assistance Agreement must be entered into before the child is adopted. Adoption assistance is typically available until the child’s 18th birthday or high school graduation, unless other circumstances exist. Adoption assistance law is outlined in Wis. Stat. § 48.975 and Wis. Admin. Code § DCF 50.

C = Paper Checks Mailed
D = Direct Deposit

For more general information about adoption assistance, see the information sheet:

To see when you may expect to receive an adoption assistance monthly subsidy, if applicable, see the payment calendar.

For a detailed explanation of the three components of Adoption Assistance, click on the tabs below.

Foster Care Medicaid

Adoption assistance recipients living in Wisconsin are automatically enrolled in Foster Care Medicaid. Foster Care Medicaid is sometimes called Title XIX Medicaid or “straight MA.”

Foster Care Medicaid is a full benefit, fee-for-service plan. There are no co-pays, premiums, or deductibles. Household income does not impact eligibility for Foster Care Medicaid.

Coverage under Foster Care Medicaid is the same as coverage under BadgerCare Plus.

To browse a general list of services covered by Foster Care Medicaid, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services list of covered services.
To find medical, mental health, and dental providers in your area who accept Foster Care Medicaid, visit the ForwardHealth Provider Directory .Please note that providers on this list may not all be accepting new patients; call the provider to find out.
To ask whether a specific, specialized service can be covered by Foster Care Medicaid, call ForwardHealth Member Services at (800) 362-3002.

Moving out of Wisconsin? In nearly all cases, Foster Care Medicaid can be transferred to the new state for Adoption Assistance recipients through the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (ICAMA).

Prior to moving or as soon as possible after moving, notify the Adoption Assistance Program at (866) 666-5532, of the date of the move and your address in the new state. A referral will be sent to the new state to have your child enrolled in Medicaid there.

Some states take several weeks to enroll a child who has moved from another state. It is important that you notify the Wisconsin Adoption Assistance program as soon as possible to avoid gaps in coverage for your child. We also recommend stocking up on at least one month’s worth of any necessary prescriptions prior to leaving Wisconsin.

For more information on Foster Care Medicaid for children receiving Adoption Assistance, see Adoption and Medical Assistance: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) or contact the DCF Medicaid Program at (866) 666-5532.

One-Time Reimbursement of Adoption Related Expenses

All families who have an active Adoption Assistance (AA) Agreement with DCF may apply for a one-time reimbursement of adoption-related expenses. Qualifying adoption-related expenses must be reasonable and necessary for the adoption to occur. Families must apply for reimbursement after the adoption is finalized, but within two years from the date of adoption finalization. If approved, DCF will reimburse adoptive parent(s) up to $2,000 per child for adoption-related expenses.

For more information about one-time reimbursement of adoption related expenses, see the information sheet:

For more information or questions related to one-time expense reimbursement of adoption-related expenses, contact the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, Adoption Assistance Program at DCFAdoptionAssistance@wisconsin.gov or (866) 666-5532.

How to apply for a One-Time Expense Reimbursement

The adoptive parent(s) may apply for a one-time reimbursement of adoption-related expenses by completing and submitting the following to the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, Adoption Assistance Program:

Completed Request for One-Time Reimbursement for Adoption-Related Expenses for Adoption Assistance Recipients (DCF-F-CFS0459) form and
Supporting document(s), including applicable original, itemized receipts or bills.

The completed form and supporting document(s) can be emailed to DCFAdoptionAssistance@wisconsin.gov or mailed to:

Adoption Assistance Program
DCF/DSP/BPOHC
P.O. Box 8916
Madison, WI 53708-8916

For more support and guidance in applying for a one-time expense reimbursement of adoption-related expenses, contact the agency whom facilitated the adoption.

Monthly Subsidy

In some circumstances, adoption assistance may include a monthly subsidy. Children may be eligible for a monthly subsidy if they are determined to have special care needs at the time of adoption, as defined by Wis. Admin. Code § DCF 50.09(1)(b). This subsidy is paid by DCF to the adoptive parent(s) to help meet the financial demands of caring for a child’s special care needs. The subsidy is the sum of three rates:

Basic Rate: a standardized amount based on the child’s age at the time of adoption
Supplemental Rate: a variable rate calculated based on an assessment of the child’s emotional, behavioral, and physical care needs, determined by the child placing agency at the time of adoption
Exceptional Rate: a variable rate based on specific care needs of the child at the time of adoption

The total monthly subsidy cannot exceed the child’s foster care maintenance rate, if applicable or a maximum of $2,000 per month.

Not all children will qualify for a monthly subsidy. If the child does not have special care needs at the time of adoption, as defined by Wis. Admin. Code § DCF 50.09(1)(b), but is at high risk of developing moderate or intensive emotional, behavioral or physical needs later in life, DCF and the adoptive parent(s) may enter into agreement without a monthly subsidy. If there is an active Adoption Assistance Agreement without a monthly subsidy and the child later develops moderate or intensive needs, the adoptive parent(s) may be eligible to apply for an amendment (subsidy increase).

Requesting an Increase to the Monthly Subsidy (Adoption Assistance Amendments)

An adoption assistance (AA) amendment is a one-year increase to the monthly subsidy. An amendment is established by a time-limited agreement between DCF and the adoptive parent(s). Adoptive parent(s) may request new amendments annually while the initial Adoption Assistance Agreement is in effect.

To be eligible to apply for an AA amendment, the adoptive parent(s) must:

Have an active AA agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF);
Believe that the child’s emotional, behavioral, or physical needs have increased since the time of adoption; and
Meet at least one of the following requirements:
1. It has been at least 12 months since the child was adopted.
2. It has been at least 12 months since a previous denial for an AA amendment.
3. It is within 120 days before the expiration of an active AA amendment.

For more information about adoption assistance amendments, see the information sheet:

For more information or questions related to adoption assistance amendments, contact the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, Adoption Assistance Program at DCFAAAmendments@wisconsin.gov or (866) 666-5532.

How to apply for an Amendment (Subsidy Increase)

Contact the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, Adoption Assistance Program at DCFAAAmendments@wisconsin.gov or (866) 666-5532 and provide the following information:

Your name,
Your child’s name,
Your child’s date of birth, and
An email or mailing address to receive paperwork.

If eligible to apply for an amendment, the adoptive parent(s) will receive the necessary forms to apply for an amendment by email and/or mail. The adoptive parent(s) will receive four different forms. The form titled Adoption Assistance Amendment Request should be completed by the adoptive parent(s). The three Confirmation of Needs forms must each be completed by a non-relative provider with knowledge of the child's needs, like a counselor, teacher, or pediatrician. The Confirmation of Needs forms can all be completed by the same person or by different people.

Once the forms are complete, they can be return to DCFAAAmendments@wisconsin.gov, faxed to (608) 224-5766, or mailed to:

Adoption Assistance Program
DCF/DSP/BPOHC
P.O. Box 8916
Madison, WI 53708-8916

For questions about pending adoption assistance amendments, contact the Adoption Assistance Program at DCFAAAmendments@wisconsin.gov or (866) 666-5532.

Changes in Adoptive Family Circumstances

Families may experience impactful life changes that may or may not impact an active Adoption Assistance Agreement. To get more information and answers to how some life changing events will impact adoption assistance, see the information sheet:

Reporting Changes

Adoptive parent(s) with an active Adoption Assistance Agreement is/are responsible for notifying the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families of any major changes. Major changes include:

Adoptive parent(s) address change
Child acquires new Social Security Number (SSN)
Child is no longer living with the adoptive parent(s)
Adoptive parent(s) parental rights to the child have been terminated
Adoptive parent(s) no longer supporting child
Child enlists in the military
Child gets married
Child attains 18 years of age
Child completes high school after attaining 18 years of age
Child was determined eligible for AA under Wis. Admin. Code § DCF 50.15(3)(a)3 and no longer has an individual educational program (IEP)
Death of child

To report any major changes complete and submit the Adoption Assistance Changes and Requests (DCF-F-CFS0962) to DCFAdoptionAssistance@wisconsin.gov or mailed to:

Adoption Assistance Program
DCF/DSP/BPOHC
P.O. Box 8916
Madison, WI 53708-8916

To report major changes by phone, contact the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, Adoption Assistance Program at (866) 666-5532.

Direct Deposit

To set up or update direct deposit information, download and complete the direct deposit form:

Submit the completed form to the Adoption Assistance Program at DCFAdoptionAssistance@wisconsin.gov or mail to:

Adoption Assistance Program
DCF/DSP/BPOHC
P.O. Box 8916
Madison, WI 53708-8916

You can also contact the Adoption Assistance Program at DCFAdoptionAssistance@wisconsin.gov or call (866) 666-5532 to have a paper copy of the form mailed or for additional information about direct deposit.

Income Verification Letters and Tax Credit Special Needs Verification Letters

To receive an income verification letter or tax credit special needs verification letter, contact the Adoption Assistance Program at DCFAdoptionAssistance@wisconsin.gov or call (866) 666-5532.

In your email or voicemail, provide:

Your name,
Your child’s name,
Your child’s date of birth,
The type of letter you need, and
An email or mailing address to receive the letter.

Please note that the adoption assistance program must have your child’s correct, post-adoptive Social Security Number of file to generate a tax credit special needs verification letter.

A member of the adoption assistance team will follow up if more information is needed and send the letter as requested.