Payments
The monthly payment and continuation of the child’s Foster Care Medicaid makes subsidized guardianship a beneficial option for families, especially when their long-term financial planning did not include raising additional children.
How is the payment rate determined?
The amount of the monthly payment is based upon the needs of the child at the time the initial Subsidized Guardianship Agreement is created. The Uniform Foster Care Rate Setting Policy is used to determine the child’s needs and the associated rate.
Can the payment rate change?
Adjustments can be made to the rate after guardianship is established. This is called an amendment and is based on a substantial change in the child’s physical, behavioral, or emotional needs. Please see the “Changes for the Child” section for more details.
How long will I receive these payments?
Payments will continue throughout the duration of the terms stated in the Subsidized Guardianship Agreement. Generally, most Subsidized Guardianship Agreements expire when the child turns 18 but may extend until their 21st birthday.
If circumstances change and the terms of the Subsidized Guardianship Agreement no longer apply, payments may be suspended or terminated prior to the child’s 18th birthday. Possible changes are outlined in the “Changes for the Child” section.
The child welfare agency is required to review your and the child’s eligibility for continued payments annually and whenever there is a change in circumstance as indicated on the Subsidized Guardianship Agreement.
Why did my payments stop?
When the child welfare agency learns that there has been a change of circumstances, they should seek additional information from you to determine if it impacts your eligibility to continue receiving subsidized guardianship payments prior to them being suspended or terminated.
If the child welfare agency suspends or terminates your subsidized guardianship payments, they must provide you notice of this decision and your right to appeal it.
- Notification of Subsidized Guardianship Suspension or Termination (English)
- Notification of Subsidized Guardianship Suspension or Termination (Spanish)
If the child welfare agency suspends your payments, they can be resumed when the circumstances that led to suspension of the payment are no longer occurring.
If the child welfare agency terminates your payments, that means the Subsidized Guardianship Agreement and the child’s Foster Care Medicaid (FSTMA) coverage also terminates. Once a Subsidized Guardianship Agreement is terminated, it cannot be reopened. Please see the “Changes for the Child” section for more details.
If you would like to appeal a suspension or termination decision, you can send the appeal via mail or hand deliver it to:
Mailing Address:
Division of Hearings and Appeals
P.O. Box 7875
Madison, Wisconsin 53707
Physical Address:
4822 Madison Yards Way
5th Floor North
Madison, WI 53705