4.2 Applicant Age

Note: A supervised independent living arrangement is an arrangement that allows individuals between the ages of 17 to 21, who are in a court-ordered out-of-home care (OHC) placement, the ability to live in their own (or shared) apartment, flat, or room. They are under the supervision and support from a child welfare caseworker and/or provider from a contracted agency in their county. If the parent knows who their Ongoing Child Welfare Case Manager is, the parent should provide this information to the agency worker for the agency worker to verify the arrangement. If the parent does not know who their Ongoing Child Welfare Case Manager is, agency workers can visit the Child Welfare Independent Living Coordinators page on the Department of Children and Families website to find the correct contact for their area.

Example 1: Kylie, age 17, and her child, Jordan, are living in their own apartment. Their living arrangement is through a court ordered placement with ongoing supervision from a child welfare caseworker. Kylie is attending high school and needs child care for Jordan while she is in school. Because she is in an approved and supervised independent living arrangement and attending high school, she can be the applicant for Wisconsin Shares.

Example 2: Mike, age 16, and his child, Jean, are living with Mike’s grandparents. There is no court order for the placement. Mike is attending high school and needs child care for Jean while in school. Because Mike is a minor living with his grandparents, a grandparent must apply for Wisconsin Shares on behalf of Mike.