Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Child Care Subsidy Administration
Wisconsin Shares Handbook
When a newly eligible child is added during ongoing eligibility, the parent must complete the authorization assessment within 30 calendar days of the start date of the new eligibility period. An authorization may begin on either:
The date the child began attending the child care provider, or
The date that the child care provider the child is attending met the criteria in Sections 14.1, 14.2 (as applicable), and 14.3.1
If the parent did not request or provide all the necessary information to complete an authorization assessment within 30 calendar days of the newly eligible child being added, the new authorization may only be backdated to the first of the month in which the authorization assessment was completed.
| Example 1 (Existing Child and a Child Add): Grace has an authorization for her child, Tucker, which ends at renewal on May 31. On February 14 Grace reports the birth of her child, Elizabeth, born on February 10. Elizabeth is added to the case and confirmed eligible before adverse action in February. The renewal date is extended to March 31 of the following year. Grace completed the authorization assessment and will be returning to work on May 1. The authorization for Elizabeth can begin on May 1 since that will be her first day attending the provider. Tucker’s authorization can be extended to the new renewal date of March 31 of the following year, unless there is an expected change that occurs prior to the new renewal date (see 15.3). |
| Example 2 (Existing Child and a Child Add): Lola has an authorization for her child, Morgan which ends at renewal on September 30. On August 28 Lola reports the birth of her child, Daniel, born on August 25. Daniel is added to the case and confirmed eligible after adverse action in August. The renewal date is extended to October 31 of the following year. Lola completed the authorization assessment and will be returning to work on October 15. The authorization for Daniel can begin on October 15 since that will be her first day attending the provider. Morgan’s authorization can be extended to October 31 (the new renewal date) unless there is an expected change that occurs prior to the new renewal date. |
This section last updated 7/1/2026