Last updated: July 16, 2026
Bottom line
Wisconsin does not have one transportation grant for every single mother. The best starting point depends on the trip. Wisconsin Medicaid may cover rides to health care. Wisconsin Works, FoodShare Employment and Training, vocational rehabilitation, and county work programs may help with approved work or training costs. Local transit systems and community agencies may offer reduced fares, repair loans, carpools, or volunteer rides.
Start by writing down the trip purpose, date, pickup address, destination, child needs, disability needs, and cost. Then contact the program that fits the trip before paying. Many programs must approve a ride, repair, pass, or reimbursement first.
ASMOM’s national transportation guide explains common help paths. The Wisconsin help guide covers food, cash, health care, housing, child care, and other support that may reduce transportation pressure.
This article gives general information only. It does not promise a ride, vehicle, repair, loan, reimbursement, transit discount, or program approval.
If you need a ride soon
- Medical emergency: Call 911. Non-emergency medical transportation does not replace an ambulance.
- Urgent Medicaid appointment: Call 866-907-1493 or 711 for TTY. Do not use online scheduling for an urgent ride.
- Food, shelter, or local help: Call 2-1-1 or 877-947-2211. The 211 Wisconsin directory can connect you with local transportation, shelter, food, and emergency programs.
- Immediate safety threat: Call 911. Wisconsin’s victim services page lists local survivor support and other statewide resources.
If abuse, stalking, or control is part of the transportation problem, use a safer phone or computer when possible. ASMOM’s Wisconsin safety guide lists more support paths.
Where to start
Use the reason for the trip to choose the first office. Medical programs, work programs, public transit, and car-repair programs use different rules.
Medical appointment
Start with Wisconsin Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation if you have eligible Medicaid or BadgerCare Plus coverage and no other reasonable way to reach covered care.
Work or training
Ask Wisconsin Works, FSET, DVR, a WETAP partner, or your workforce program what transportation support can be approved before the activity begins.
Child care connection
Ask whether the work program can cover travel to child care as part of the approved route. The Wisconsin child-care guide covers related care assistance.
Not sure who helps
Call 2-1-1 and ask for transportation assistance, gas vouchers, volunteer drivers, reduced fares, car-repair help, and work rides in your county.
Quick transportation reference
| Need | Start here | What may be offered | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covered medical visit | Wisconsin Medicaid NEMT | Ride, bus pass, or gas reimbursement | Routine trips need advance scheduling |
| Work or W-2 activity | W-2 agency | Case support and local referrals | Job Access Loans are closed for new 2026 applications |
| FoodShare training | FSET worker | Approved transport costs | The cost must support an assigned activity |
| Disability and employment | DVR counselor | Mileage, transit, taxi, or travel training | It must connect to the DVR plan |
| Car repair or purchase | WETAP partner | Repair or vehicle loans and ride help | Services and funds vary by county |
| Daily local travel | Transit agency | Reduced fares, passes, paratransit | Each system has separate rules |
Medical rides through Wisconsin Medicaid
Wisconsin Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation, or NEMT, helps eligible members reach covered health care when they have no other reasonable transportation. The official NEMT page explains ride scheduling, complaints, denials, bus passes, and gas reimbursement.
MTM is still the current ride manager. Wisconsin announced its intent to select Verida as the future vendor, but the state has not set a transition date. Continue using MTM and the current number until Wisconsin DHS sends new instructions.
Call 866-907-1493 or 711 for TTY. A first trip or a trip to a new location must be scheduled by phone. Other repeat trips may be available through the MTM Link portal or app.
| Step | What to do | Important timing |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Give member, pickup, clinic, and appointment details | At least two full business days for routine rides |
| Bus pass | Ask whether public transit is the approved ride type | Call about seven business days early when possible |
| Gas reimbursement | Get trip approval and complete the trip record | Approval is required by 11:59 p.m. on the trip day |
| Extra stop | Request the pharmacy or other medical stop | Ask before the trip |
| Problem | Call with the trip number while it is happening | Record the time and complaint number |
If you, a friend, or a family member can drive, the current mileage rate is 24 cents per mile. The trip must be approved, and the visit must be verified. The mileage fact sheet explains the app, paper log, and payment choices.
Plan for children and escorts
Tell the scheduler when a child, escort, car seat, wheelchair, service animal, or other support must travel with you. Do not assume the driver can add someone who was not approved.
Transportation for work, training, and job search
Wisconsin Works
Wisconsin Works, called W-2, helps eligible parents prepare for work, find employment, and address barriers. Tell the worker when transport prevents attendance, work, child care pickup, or a required activity. Ask which supportive service, community program, or plan change is available.
Job Access Loans can cover job-related needs such as car repairs, car loans, insurance, work tools, and license costs. However, the current JAL page says 2026 funding is exhausted and no new applications have been accepted since June 29, 2026. A JAL is normally a no-interest loan up to $1,600, not a grant. Ask the W-2 agency about other current support and whether funding may reopen in a future year.
FoodShare Employment and Training
FoodShare Employment and Training, or FSET, can pay reasonable and necessary costs tied directly to assigned FSET activities. The FSET expense chart includes gas, mileage, bus passes, bus tokens, taxi vouchers, and other approved transportation costs. It does not allow FSET to buy a vehicle.
Ask for approval before spending. Give the worker the route, schedule, expected cost, and reason a lower-cost option will not work. If transportation prevents participation, report it immediately and ask whether the plan or good-cause decision needs review.
Vocational rehabilitation
The Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation helps people with disabilities get, keep, or advance in employment. Its DVR transport policy allows transportation when it is needed for the vocational rehabilitation process or listed in the employment plan. Help may include mileage, bus fare, taxi or van service, and travel training.
DVR looks for the least costly option that meets the disability-related need and checks whether another benefit can pay first. Ask the counselor to put the transportation service and payment method in writing.
The Wisconsin TANF guide and Wisconsin SNAP guide explain the benefit programs connected to W-2 and FSET.
Car repair, vehicle loans, and WETAP
The Wisconsin Employment Transportation Assistance Program, or WETAP, funds local transportation solutions for low-income workers and people attending job training or postsecondary education. The WETAP program page links to current county contacts.
The 2026 contact list includes repair loans, vehicle-purchase loans, carpools, vanpools, and help finding transportation. Not every service is available in every county.
A local program may ask for proof of income, Wisconsin residence, employment or a job offer, a valid license, insurance, vehicle title, repair estimates, and proof that the vehicle is worth repairing. Some programs pay a repair shop directly. Others provide a loan that must be repaid.
Do not authorize repairs first
Ask the program whether it requires its own inspection or estimate before work begins. A program may refuse to reimburse a repair that was not approved.
Local transit, reduced fares, and commute tools
Wisconsin has city buses, county transportation, shared-ride taxis, rural services, and paratransit. Use the Wisconsin transit guide to find the system serving your area. Then ask about route coverage, transfer rules, reduced fares, demand-response rides, and advance booking.
| Area | Current program | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Madison | Half-price fare | Low-income riders can apply for half-price fares and lower fare caps |
| Milwaukee County | MCTS reduced fare | Current reduced fare is for qualifying seniors and riders with disabilities |
| Green Bay | LIFT passes | Eligible adults may receive up to four day passes monthly, while available |
| Eau Claire | Income fare | Households under local income rules can request a permit card |
For regular commuting, Wisconsin RIDESHARE can help identify carpools and other commute matches. The state also lists park-and-ride lots where people can meet a carpool or transfer to another ride.
Ask the transit agency which payment method gives the lowest cost. A fare card or app may provide transfers or fare caps that cash riders do not receive.
Disability and accessible transportation
A person with a disability may have several transportation paths: local ADA paratransit, county disability transportation, Medicaid NEMT for medical care, or DVR for employment-related travel. The program depends on the trip.
Ask the local transit agency how to apply for ADA paratransit and whether an in-person assessment or medical form is required. Ask about pickup windows, personal care attendants, service animals, mobility devices, and transfers between systems.
County Aging and Disability Resource Centers may know about volunteer drivers, shared rides, or disability transportation in areas without regular transit. ASMOM’s disability support guide covers other access and benefit questions.
Occupational licenses and child passenger safety
If a suspended or revoked license is blocking work or household needs, check the occupational license page. An occupational license is restricted. It may allow driving to approved places and times, but not every person or suspension qualifies.
The application generally requires identification, proof of insurance, the required fee, and compliance with waiting periods or other conditions. Do not drive until DMV confirms that the occupational license is valid.
Wisconsin also provides car-seat safety resources and inspection information. A safety check does not guarantee a free seat, but local police, health departments, hospitals, and Safe Kids partners may know about current low-cost or donated-seat programs.
The Wisconsin baby-gear guide covers more child-supply help.
Documents and trip details to gather
You do not need every item for every program. Keep copies of anything you submit and ask what substitute proof is accepted.
| Program | Useful information | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| NEMT | ForwardHealth ID, clinic address, appointment time, escort needs | Used to approve and schedule the correct ride |
| W-2 or FSET | Case number, work or class schedule, child care schedule, route cost | Connects transport to an approved activity |
| DVR | Employment plan, disability access need, cost estimates | Shows why transport is needed for vocational goals |
| WETAP | Income, job proof, license, insurance, title, repair estimates | Supports local loan or repair review |
| Reduced fare | Photo ID, benefit proof, income or disability documents | Each transit agency sets its own eligibility proof |
| Complaint | Trip number, date, times, driver or vendor, denial notice | Creates a clear record for review or appeal |
ASMOM’s documents checklist can help you save notices, screenshots, receipts, estimates, and call records in one place.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until the trip day: Routine Medicaid rides need two full business days, and bus passes may need longer.
- Paying before approval: Work and repair programs may refuse costs that were not approved.
- Using the wrong program: Medical rides, work rides, transit discounts, and car repairs use different rules.
- Ignoring a vendor change: Keep using MTM until Wisconsin DHS announces the Verida transition date and new instructions.
- Not reporting a failed ride: Call while the problem is happening and save the complaint number.
- Paying for a grant list: Avoid websites that promise a guaranteed free car or gas grant.
What to do if help is denied, delayed, or missing
- Ask for the exact reason. Find out whether the issue is eligibility, timing, trip purpose, missing proof, county funding, or lack of an approved vendor.
- Correct errors quickly. Check addresses, appointment details, work schedules, estimates, and uploaded documents.
- Save a record. Keep the denial letter, envelope, trip number, call times, worker names, and complaint number.
- Use the program review. NEMT, W-2, DVR, and transit agencies have different complaint or appeal routes.
- Ask for another local path. A program that cannot pay may still refer you to a WETAP partner, Community Action agency, transit office, or volunteer service.
For an NEMT denial, ask for an independent reviewer during the scheduling call or request the member ombuds. The NEMT appeal guide says a fair-hearing request must be submitted within 45 days of the denial-letter date.
For W-2 or JAL decisions, ask for a Fact Finding Review. The request is generally due within 45 days of the decision notice or effective date, whichever is later. Contact the W-2 agency and ask for the review form.
ASMOM’s Wisconsin legal guide lists civil legal-help paths. The benefits problem guide can help organize the deadline and evidence.
Backup options when the first plan fails
- Ask the clinic whether telehealth, a combined appointment day, or a social worker is available.
- Ask the employer about shift changes, carpools, vanpools, or an emergency ride-home program.
- Ask the school or child care provider about family transportation contacts.
- Ask 2-1-1 for volunteer drivers, gas cards, taxi vouchers, and Community Action programs.
- Use ASMOM’s Wisconsin community guide for more local referral paths.
Phone scripts
Calling for a medical ride
“Hi, I need transportation to a covered medical appointment. I have my ForwardHealth ID, pickup address, clinic address, appointment time, and child or escort needs. Can you confirm the trip type and trip number?”
Calling a work program
“Transportation is stopping me from reaching work or an approved activity. Can my program help with a bus pass, gas, mileage, taxi, car repair, or another option? What must be approved before I spend money?”
Calling a WETAP partner
“I live in [county] and need transportation to keep or start work. Are you accepting applications for repair loans, vehicle loans, carpools, vanpools, or ride help? What proof should I gather?”
Calling after a denial
“I received a transportation denial dated [date]. Please explain the exact reason, the review or appeal deadline, and what proof could correct the decision.”
Resumen en español
Wisconsin no tiene una sola ayuda de transporte para todas las madres solteras. Para una cita médica con Medicaid o BadgerCare Plus, llame al 866-907-1493 o al 711 para TTY. Los viajes normales deben programarse con por lo menos dos días hábiles de anticipación.
Para trabajo o entrenamiento, pregunte por Wisconsin Works, FSET, DVR o WETAP. Los Job Access Loans dejaron de aceptar solicitudes nuevas para 2026 después del 29 de junio porque se acabaron los fondos. Para ayuda local, llame al 2-1-1. Guarde cartas, números de viaje, recibos, horarios y estimados de reparación.
FAQs about Wisconsin transportation help
Does BadgerCare Plus cover rides to appointments?
Eligible BadgerCare Plus and Wisconsin Medicaid members may receive a ride, bus pass, or gas reimbursement when they have no other reasonable way to reach covered health care.
How early should I schedule a routine Medicaid ride?
Schedule at least two full business days before the appointment. Ask about a bus pass about seven business days early when possible.
Can Wisconsin pay me for driving to medical care?
Wisconsin NEMT may reimburse an approved driver at 24 cents per mile. The trip must be approved and verified under the current mileage process.
Are Job Access Loans open in Wisconsin?
No new 2026 applications have been accepted since June 29, 2026 because funding was exhausted. Ask the W-2 agency about other current help and future-year funding.
Can FSET pay for a car?
No. FSET cannot buy a vehicle, but it may pay reasonable transportation costs tied to assigned activities, such as gas, mileage, transit passes, or taxi vouchers.
Where can I find car-repair help?
Check the 2026 WETAP contact list and local Community Action agencies. Repair and vehicle-loan services, eligibility, repayment, and funding vary by county.
What can I do if an NEMT ride is denied?
Ask for an independent review or member-ombuds appeal. A fair-hearing request must generally be filed within 45 days of the denial-letter date.
Last updated: July 16, 2026. Next review: October 16, 2026.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified July 16, 2026, next review October 16, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.