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July 1, 2026

149 CSAW subtracts a portion of the AG’s copayment from each child’s subsidy based on the percentage of total subsidized hours that each child has at each location. The total copayment assessed for each child will not exceed 152 hours per month per child, even if the child attends multiple providers. The maximum family copayment will not exceed 760 monthly subsidized hours when considering all the children in the AG. Children with a Reduced copayment type (see 18.3) are calculated separately from the family copayment.

See the current Wisconsin Shares Copayment Schedule.

The department revises the Copayment Schedule annually based on changes made to the FPL (published annually in the Federal Register). The Copayment Schedule lists monthly FPL levels in 5% increments (e.g., 70%, 75%, 80%, etc.) and assigns an hourly copayment according to an AG’s FPL. When the AG’s FPL is between two (2) levels, CSAW will use the lower of the two (2) FPL percentages. If the family is in the Exit Period, CSAW will use the family’s actual FPL and will not round to the lower FPL percentage (see 18.2.1).

Example: Sean’s income places his family at 164% FPL. Sean’s copayment per hour will use the copayment for the 160% FPL copayment level.

For more information about subsidy calculations, see: • CSAW User Guide - Benefit Calculations for more information about how the family’s copayment is determined and applied to each child with an authorization. • Appendix II - Benefit Calculation Examples for examples of how CSAW calculates benefits.

This section last updated 7/1/2026

Section 18.2.1 Exit Period Copayments During the Exit period (see 18.4.2), the copayment is determined differently. CSAW still uses the copayment per hour, but it is set at the 200% FPL copayment level. CSAW then adds an extra family copayment to the total hourly copayment amount. The extra family copayment is determined by increasing the family’s copayment $1 for every $5 by which the Assistance Group’s (AG’s) gross income exceeds 200% FPL.

See Appendix II - Benefit Calculation Examples for an example of how CSAW calculates benefits in this scenario.

This section last updated 7/1/2026