BWF Work Programs Help Desk Home Page

hands touching puzzle pieces

Welcome to the BWF Work Programs Help Desk Web Center. Throughout this site, you will find useful links and FAQs to assist you with whatever your current CARES problem may be. As always, please be sure to work with your agency CARES coordinator to resolve issues prior to contacting the BWF Work Programs Help Desk.

Approver Form

The new Approver Form is used to designate approvers for W-2 Auxiliary Payments, Job Access Loans, and/or Performance Outcome Payment Claims. After completion of this form, please fax to 608-327-6125. Before you send the fax, review the form to ensure:

  • Each section of the form is complete,
  • The information is legible (this form is fillable online with the exception of the signature),
  • Your contact information is recorded in the For Agency Use Only section.

COVID-19 Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Work Program Policy and Automation Adjustments Document (updated May 26, 2022)

W-2 Agency Contact Information (updated April 9, 2020)

Find Your Local W-2 Agency - Map

Informational Emails

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

If you are working on a W-2 Case and are encountering problems with CARES, please review the appropriate FAQ listed below. The FAQ will address common problems and may provide the assistance you need to resolve your issue.

Select one of the following links based on the type of assistance you are seeking:

Help Desk Emails

Note: For COVID-19 emails, please see the COVID-19 Information tab.

LIFE Program Documents

MA/BadgerCare/FoodShare/other DHS programs

Do you have issues relating to FoodShare or Medical Assistance programs? - Call 608-261-6378

Participant-Facing Tools

Security/Password

Please contact the WI Help Desk for password resets for the following applications: CWW, CARES, ECF, JIRA, and SAVE. 
WI Help Desk:  608-261-4400 or helpdesk@wi.gov.

Please contact the DCF Service Desk for password resets for the following applications: BRITS, BST, CSAW, EATS, KIDS Mainframe and W-2 Plans. 
DCF Service Desk:  855-264-6323 or DCFServiceDesk@Wisconsin.gov.

TANF Verifications

If you are an out-of-state agency seeking verification of TANF months used in WI, you may contact us by sending an e-mail to dcfw2tanfverify@wisconsin.gov or by completing the TANF Months Verification Form. Once the form has been completed, please fax to 608-327-6125. Prior to sending the fax, review the form to ensure:

  • The form is complete and legible (this form is fillable online),
  • The Name, Birthdates, and SSN you are providing are accurate,
  • Make sure to include your contact information including name, agency, and phone and fax number.
  • Contact DHS Help Desk at 608-261-6378 for verification of Medical/SNAP benefits.

Vendor Forms

Beginning in 2017, W-2 vendor payment checks will be issued through the State Transforming Agency Resource (STAR) system. All vendor accounts in CWW, prior to December 9, 2016, will be deleted. To establish a vendor payment, agencies must provide both Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification and DOA-6457 STAR Vendor Information forms to the BWF Work Programs Help Desk. It will take approximately 3-5 working days to set up the vendor account in the STAR system.

  • To ensure payment by the end of the month for open, ongoing cases, these forms must be submitted to the Help Desk at least 10 working days prior to the W-2 pull down date.
  • Newly opened cases will receive a W-2 check for the first payment. The vendor payment will go out on the second payment.

The following are helpful tips to ensure your request will be processed promptly:

  • Each section of the forms are complete,
  • The information is legible, and
  • Review the tax ID number to ensure it is the correct number of digits.
  • Make sure your contact information is recorded in the For Agency Use Only section (DOA-6457 STAR Vendor Information form).

Additional information and forms may be found at State of Wisconsin Supplier (Vendor) Forms.

W-2 Benefit Issuance Schedule

To Submit a Request For Assistance

If you have been unable to resolve your issue and you require further assistance, please submit an online request for assistance.