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July 1, 2026

154 Section 18.4.3 Moving Between Copayment Periods CSAW will only assign an Assistance Group (AG) to the Exit period (see 18.4.2) at the AG’s renewal. If an AG’s FPL decreases to at or below 200% FPL, CSAW will reassign the AG to Copayment Stabilization (see 18.4.1) at any time without regard to the renewal date and the AG’s copayment per hour will remain capped at the lower level until the AG’s next renewal.

Example (Exit to Stabilization): At renewal in July, Mai’s income places her AG at 206% FPL. CSAW assigns Mai’s AG to the Exit period. In September, Mai loses her job, and her AG’s income decreases to $0. Mai’s worker offers her the Approved Activity Search period (ACTS), which she accepts. CSAW reduces Mai’s copayment per hour to the 65% FPL copayment level and reassigns Mai’s AG to the Copayment Stabilization period. In November, Mai starts a new job, and her AG’s income increases to 210% FPL. Mai remains in the Copayment Stabilization period, and her copayment remains at the 65% FPL copayment level until her next renewal.

This section last updated 7/1/2026

Section 18.5 Subsidy Calculation The variables described below are components of the subsidy calculation. When these factors change, the subsidy amount may also change (see 18.6). • The family’s Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which is based on the Assistance Group (AG) size and household income • The AG’s Copayment Period (see 18.4) • Monthly Authorized Hours: The approved weekly authorized hours, capped at 35 hours (the full-time cap), converted to a monthly number, plus school closed hours Note: The benefit calculation uses 30 weekly hours to determine the subsidy amount when the child’s weekly authorized hours are 20 hours or less (part-time authorization) and 35 weekly hours when the child’s weekly authorized hours are more than 20 hours (full-time authorization). Any school closed hours (see 16.1.1.4.2) are added to part-time authorizations after the 30 weekly hour conversion. School closed hours are calculated for individual days based on the parent’s child care need (see 16.1.1.4.2). • Copayment Type (see 18.3) • Capped Subsidy: The subsidy is capped at the lowest of the following three (3) amounts: o Initial Hourly Amount (hourly maximum from the Wisconsin Shares County and Tribal Subsidy Maximum Rates (see 18.5.1) multiplied by the monthly hours of care); o Monthly Provider Price; and