The mission of the Economic Support Unit is to improve the quality of life for low-income households by providing services to help them meet their needs and increase their self sufficiency.  Economic Support provides a variety of services to families and individuals.  These programs are currently provided under the consortium model.  Florence County is a member of the Northern Income Maintenance Consortium which provides comprehensive public assistance servcies to those living within each of the twelve counties.  Regardless of where a member lives within the consortium, they can contact the Northern IM Call Center to apply for benefits, report changes to cases, check benefits, process eligibility, complete reviews, or ask general questions.

The Northern Income Maintenance Consortium call center number is 888-794-5722.  The call center hours are from 8:00AM to 4:00PM, Monday through Wednesday, and 11:00AM-4:00PM on Thursday, and 8:00AM-2:00PM on Friday.  Local lobby services for Florence County residents are available Monday-Thursday 8:30AM-4:00PM and Friday 8:30AM-2:00PM.  For more information about the consortium, visit the WI DHS Northern Income Maintenance Consortium Page.

Members interested in applying for Foodshare, Medicaid, or other Income Maintenance Programs, have four ways to apply:

1. Call the Northern IM Consortium at 888-794-5722.
2. Apply online through Access
3. Complete a FoodShare paper application or a Medicaid paper application
4. In-person by visiting Florence County Human Services or by scheduling a face-to-face appointment by calling 715-528-3296.

For more information about Wisconsin's Foodshare program, to view the Nondiscrimination Statement, and Report Fraud, visit Wisconsin DHS FoodShare.

Members that need to send in verification items for their IM case can do so by the following ways:

1. Uploading on their Access account.
2. Faxing it to the CDPU at 855-293-1822.
3. Mailing it to the CDPU at PO BOX 5234, Janesville, WI  53547-5234
4. Dropping it off a the local IM agency.

FOODSHARE—ACCESS
FoodShare (FS) is provided to eligible individuals and families in the form of plastic benefits cards called the Wisconsin Quest debit card.  Each month, people across Wisconsin receive assistance from FoodShare to help them purchase food for themselves and their families.  This program supports individuals of all ages, including those who are employed but have low incomes, those living on small or fixed incomes, those who have lost their jobs, and those who are retired or disabled and unable to work.  Additional FoodShare resources are found below:

• Information on Wisconsin's Quest Card
• Fair Hearing Form
• FoodShare Replacement Benefits

FAMILY PLANNING
Human Services provides information and referral for a full continuum of family planning and pregnancy related services.  Family Planning activities are provided by the Florence County Health Department's Dual Protection Program.  For more information click here and/or call 715-528-4837.  For information about NEWCAP and available services, click here and/or call 800-242-7334.  Inability to pay is never a barrier to receiving services. 

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE/BADGERCARE (MA)
Wisconsin offers a variety of Medicaid programs for its residents, including BadgerCare Plus, the Medicaid Purchase Plan (MAPP), Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB and SLMB+), Family Planning Only Services, Long-Term Care, Family Care, and Wisconsin's Caretaker Supplement (CTS).  These health care programs are designed to support Wisconsinites with low incomes.  Each Medicaid program has specific eligibility requirements that must be met.  For more information on the available options, please visit the Medicaid in Wisconsin page.  Additional resources are found below:

• Medicaid Renewals Information
• MAPP Information
• Fair Hearing Board
• BadgerCare Plus FAQ

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.

Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. Mailing it to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
2. Fax: (202) 690-7442
3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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Contact:	Phone: 888-794-5722 TTY: 715-528-5023 Fax: 715-528-3341
Mailing Address:	P.O. Box 225 Florence, WI 54121
Physical Address:	501 Lake Avenue Courthouse Lower Level Florence, WI 54121 Map
Hours:	Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Other times available by appointment only. Please note that appointments are appreciated.