On this page you will find programs that may help refugees with:
Key, cross-cutting resources
Resettlement agencies
Reach out to navigate employment, English-language training, health service referrals, and housing. Resettlement agencies to help receive and place refugees and provide services. Local agencies responsible for refugee resettlement are located throughout the state.
Forward Health
Learn more about programs in Wisconsin that help with things like getting health care coverage, paying for food, reducing child care costs, and finding a job. Contact your local agency for help.
211
Call 211 for help finding resources to around food, housing, utilities, mental health, healthcare costs, and important information for people new to the U.S. They provide support in 180 languages.
Wisconsin Community Action Program Association (WISCAP)
Find your local Community Action Agencies. They provide programming around health, food security, housing, workforce development, and training.
Maternal child health
Well Badger Resource Center
Well Badger can help answer questions and connect you to services around health care and coverage, nutrition, pregnancy and parenting, services for children and youth with special health care needs, and more. You can call, text, live chat, fill out a web form, and more. There are interpretive services if needed.
Consumer Guide: Resources for Parents and Parents-To-Be
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services shares a list of resources and information for people who are or will be parents.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program
WIC provides nutritious foods, health information, and referrals to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5. Learn more about their services, eligibility, and how to apply.
Milwaukee Health Department: Maternal and Child Health Programs
These programs provide home visiting, health access, nutrition, health education, pre/post-natal and community outreach services — targeting families impacted by high infant mortality, health, social and economic disparities.
La Leche League of Wisconsin
Groups help parents who want to breastfeed their babies. Find links to local Wisconsin La Leche groups.
Health care access
Refugee Medical Assistance Program
Learn about this program that provides refugees with health insurance and medical assistance during their first eight months in the United States.
Muslim Community and Health Center of Wisconsin
Get connected to health care and health, financial, and job-related resources for refugees in Milwaukee.
Forward Health
Learn more about programs in Wisconsin that help with things like getting health care coverage, paying for food, reducing child care costs, and finding a job. Contact your local agency for help.
Afghan Health Resources
Find health information about maternity, medication, and certain diseases translated in Dari, Pashto, and Farsi.
Free or Low-Cost Health Clinics
Find clinics near you that provide services for people with little or no health care coverage in Wisconsin.
Health Coverage Options for Afghan Evacuees
Learn about the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services eligibility and services for Afghan evacuees.
Mental health
Afghan Behavioral Health Support
Call 1-800-615-6514 for counseling services if you are a newcomer experiencing distress. Counseling is culturally appropriate and available in Dari, Pashto, and English. Service providers could also utilize the 24/7 helpline.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call, text or chat 988 for 24-hour free and confidential referrals and information about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, treatment, and recovery in English and Spanish.
Gardening for improved mental health
Gardening can lower levels of stress and anxiety and improve mood and mental health. You can find community gardens in Fox Valley, Madison and Dane County, and Milwaukee.
Food resources
FoodShare
This program helps people with limited money buy the food they need for good health. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply.
Emergency Food Assistance
This program provides food to people with low incomes though food pantries (where you can take home food at no cost) and prepared meal sites (where you can eat a meal).
WIC
WIC stands for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. This program helps families stay healthy by providing nutrition education, breastfeeding support, healthy foods, and referrals to health services and other resources. Learn more about their services, eligibility, and how to apply.
Free and Reduced School Lunch
This program provides free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch to children in school. Contact the school where your child attends to apply.
Housing
Wisconsin Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources
Wisconsin has several housing, energy, furnace, and weatherization assistance programs. Learn more about programs that help with heating and electrical bills and finding affordable housing.
WI Housing Search
Search Wisconsin housing to fit your needs and budget, from market-rate to affordable rentals, accessible units, housing for seniors and veterans, and more. This service is free to use. Find many resources more about housing.
Housing Navigation Services
This program helps people who need to move to another apartment, people who are staying with others, and people experiencing homelessness in Dane County. They can assist with the housing application process, make connections to subsidized housing opportunities, and more. Learn more about their services.
Wisconsin Help for Homeowners
This program can help with overdue bills like utilities, mortgage payments, property taxes and more. Apply online.
Focus on Energy
Save energy at home and get a free energy-saving kit sent to your home. Order online or call (800) 762-7077. Homeowners and renters can also get rebates and incentives for energy-saving projects and products.
Tenant Resource Center
This organization provides information and referrals, education about rental rights and responsibilities, and access to conflict resolution in Dane County. Contact them if you want to talk with a housing counselor or need help to prevent or navigate eviction.
Economic resources
Refugee Cash Assistance Program
Learn more about the program that provides temporary cash assistance to refugees during their first twelve months in the United States.
Wisconsin Works (W-2)
Wisconsin Works (or W-2) helps parents get a job and find a career path to support a family. W-2 also provides services for pregnant people and new mothers. Learn about who qualifies for W-2, how to appIy, and more.
Child Care
Wisconsin’s Child Care Subsidy program, Wisconsin Shares, helps families pay for child care. If the parent is eligible, child care can be subsidized for children under the age of 13 (up to 19 if special needs).
Muslim Community and Health Center of Wisconsin
Get connected to health care and health, financial, and job-related resources for refugees in Milwaukee.
Energy Assistance
The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) provides assistance for heating costs, electric costs, and energy crisis situations.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program
This program provides monthly cash benefits to people in financial need who are 65 years or older, blind, or disabled. Learn about eligibility and how to apply.