ECONOMIC SUPPORT UNIT

 

LOCATION:  Pierce County Department of Human Services
                         412 Kinne Street, PO BOX 670
                         Ellsworth, WI  54011

 

STAFF: 

Ronda Brown Anderson—Economic Support Supervisor
                 Emily Carlson—     Economic Support Lead Worker
              J
udi Brunner—     Economic Support Specialist II
              Carol Hilsgen—    Economic Support Specialist II
          Renee Peterson -       Economic Support Specialist II
          Rebecca Mueller -   Economic Support Specialist I
          Christina Tuenge - Economic Support Specialist I

                 

PHONE NUMBER:  715-273-6788

FAX NUMBER:        715-273-6862

OFFICE HOURS:     8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday-Friday

 

DEPARTMENT PURPOSE:

The function of the Economic Support Unit is to help families in need become self-sufficient and independent of the public assistance system.  We do this by assessing the family’s financial situation, determining eligibility for interim public assistance programs, and referring persons who are able to work to the St. Croix Valley Job Center for job seeking activities.

PROGRAMS:

Medical Assistance (MA):  Wisconsin's ForwardHealth Medicaid plans for Elderly, Blind or Disabled provide health care for those who are, age 65 or older, blind or disabled, with income at or below the monthly program limit, and who are United States citizens or legal immigrants. For more information visit   http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid/index.htm 

Badgercare Plus (BC+): BadgerCare Plus is a program for children under 19 years of age and families in Wisconsin who need and want health insurance. For more information visit,   http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/badgercareplus/

FoodShare (FS):  Provides FoodShare to most households that meet certain financial and non-financial requirements helping low-income families and individuals to buy nutritious food.  http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/FoodShare/index.htm
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Family Planning Waiver Program (FPWP): provides family planning services and supplies for women age 15 through 44 who are at or below 185% of the federal poverty level (FPL). The main goal of this family planning project is to help women avoid unintended pregnancy.
https://www.forwardhealth.wi.gov/WIPortal/Tab/42/icscontent/provider/FamilyPlanningWaiver/index.htm.spage

Caretaker Supplement (CTS):  Wisconsin Caretaker Supplement (CTS) is a cash benefit available to parents who are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.  Caretaker Supplement is not a Medicaid benefit; it pays cash only to eligible parents. For more information, visit http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/ssi/caretaker.htm

To complete an online application for any of the programs listed above, visit http://www.access.wisconsin.gov

Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP):  Assists in paying heating costs for low-income households.  A one-time-per-heating-season payment is issued to the fuel providers.  Crisis assistance is available to persons who have already received their regular payment but have an emergency fuel need or a problem with their heating unit.  For more information, visit http://heat.doa.state.wi.us/

OTHER RESOURCES:

For more information about the BadgerCare+ Core Plan-Health Care For Adults With No Dependent Children, call the Enrollment Services Center at 800-291-2002 or visit http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/badgercareplus/core/index.htm

For information from the Pierce County Child Support agency, call (715) 273-6764.

For information about Wisconsin Works (W-2) or Child Care (CC) eligibility, contact Workforce Connections, Inc. by calling (715) 425-6000.

For information about the St. Croix Valley Job Center, visit http://www.wisconsinjobcenter.org/directory/ or the job center location at 625 Whitetail Blvd # 120, River Falls, WI  54022

For information about Judicare, contact them by calling (800) 472-1638 or visit their website at www.judicare.org.

 

Pierce County Human Services

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