Disability services in Wisconsin

Children and youth under 22 with a developmental disability, physical disability, autism, or serious emotional disturbance who meet the functional screen.

Start with: County health and human services agency (CLTS county waiver agency) · See your county agency · Website (opens in a new tab)

No traditional waiting list since continuous enrollment began, but children still wait for the county to enroll them. In January 2026 DHS reported fewer than 1,000 children waiting, with an average wait under 70 days; enrollment itself can take one to two months. Starting January 2027, DHS plans to start enrollment automatically for every eligible child who chooses to enroll.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

1. Contact your county health and human services agency and say you want CLTS for your child.
2. Plan a home visit with a support and service coordinator.
3. Complete the children's functional screen.
4. Give information on your child's disability.
5. If eligible, the county enrolls your child and helps choose services.

Have these ready

• Child's diagnosis and medical records
• School records such as an IEP
• Insurance information

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Adults 18 and older with intellectual or developmental disabilities, adults 18 to 64 with physical disabilities, and adults 65 and older who meet nursing home or ICF/IID level of care on the functional screen.

Start with: Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) or Tribal ADRS · See your ADRC · Website (opens in a new tab)

Family Care, Partnership, and IRIS are open in every county with no waiting list. The statewide wait list ended when Family Care expanded to the whole state (last county added in 2018).

Medicaid and this program are applied for together.

Steps

1. Contact your local ADRC.
2. Complete the Long-Term Care Functional Screen.
3. Apply for Medicaid with help from the ADRC if you do not have it.
4. Get options counseling and choose Family Care, Partnership, or IRIS.
5. You will choose a Family Care managed care organization (MCO).

Have these ready

• Social Security number
• Proof of income and assets
• Medical information
• Medicare and insurance cards

Your local Aging and Disability Resource Center can start the application. Find yours.

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Adults 18 and older who meet nursing home or ICF/IID level of care and want to self-direct their services and budget.

Start with: Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) or Tribal ADRS · See your ADRC · Website (opens in a new tab)

Family Care, Partnership, and IRIS are open in every county with no waiting list. The statewide wait list ended when Family Care expanded to the whole state (last county added in 2018).

Medicaid and this program are applied for together.

Steps

1. Contact your local ADRC.
2. Complete the Long-Term Care Functional Screen.
3. Apply for Medicaid with help from the ADRC if you do not have it.
4. Get options counseling and choose Family Care, Partnership, or IRIS.
5. You will choose an IRIS consultant agency and a fiscal employer agent; some people pay a monthly cost share.

Have these ready

• Social Security number
• Proof of income and assets
• Medical information
• Medicare and insurance cards

Your local Aging and Disability Resource Center can start the application. Find yours.

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

The same groups as Family Care who live in a county that offers Partnership; it also serves people with both Medicaid and Medicare.

Start with: Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) or Tribal ADRS · See your ADRC · Website (opens in a new tab)

Family Care, Partnership, and IRIS are open in every county with no waiting list. The statewide wait list ended when Family Care expanded to the whole state (last county added in 2018).

Medicaid and this program are applied for together.

Steps

1. Contact your local ADRC.
2. Complete the Long-Term Care Functional Screen.
3. Apply for Medicaid with help from the ADRC if you do not have it.
4. Get options counseling and choose Family Care, Partnership, or IRIS.
5. Partnership combines health care and long-term care through one managed care organization; it is offered only in some counties.

Have these ready

• Social Security number
• Proof of income and assets
• Medical information
• Medicare and insurance cards

Your local Aging and Disability Resource Center can start the application. Find yours.

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas