Last updated: May 20, 2026
Bottom line
Wisconsin does not have one statewide “single mother transportation grant.” Real help usually comes from medical rides, work programs, transit agencies, county services, and community groups. The right place to start depends on why you need the ride.
If the ride is for a medical visit and you have BadgerCare Plus or Wisconsin Medicaid, start with Medicaid NEMT. For work, training, or interviews, ask about Wisconsin Works, FSET, or a local WETAP partner. If you are stuck, contact 211 Wisconsin and ask for transportation help in your county.
Urgent help if you need a ride soon
- Medical emergency: Call 911. NEMT is for non-emergency medical rides, not ambulance emergencies.
- Urgent medical care: If you use Wisconsin Medicaid or BadgerCare Plus and cannot wait two business days, call NEMT at 866-907-1493 or 711 (TTY). Do not use the online portal for urgent rides.
- Work shift or interview: Call your W-2, FSET, DVR, or WETAP contact before spending money. Some programs need approval before they can help.
- Safety issue: If a transportation problem is tied to abuse, stalking, or being trapped, use a safe phone and contact local advocacy help. You can also read ASMOM’s Wisconsin safety guide.
Where to start
Use the reason for the trip first. Medical ride programs, work programs, and repair programs have different rules. Ask what can be approved before you spend money.
Medical appointment
Start with NEMT if you have BadgerCare Plus, Family Planning Only Services, or Wisconsin Medicaid. It may provide a ride, bus tickets, or gas money.
Job or training
Start with W-2, FSET, DVR, or WETAP. Ask about bus passes, mileage, car repair help, rideshare, taxi vouchers, or a short-term job loan.
Child care pickup
Ask your work program or transit agency about routes and reduced fares. Also see ASMOM’s Wisconsin child care guide.
Not sure
Call 211 and ask for “transportation assistance,” “gas vouchers,” “volunteer drivers,” “car repair help,” and “work transportation” in your county.
Quick program table
| Need | Start here | What it may help with | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor, dentist, therapy, or pharmacy stop | Wisconsin Medicaid NEMT | Rides, bus tickets, gas money, medically needed escorts | Routine rides usually need two full business days. Urgent rides require a phone call. |
| Job, interview, work clothes, license fee, or car issue | W-2 or Job Access Loan | Employment services, supportive help, no-interest loan for job needs | JAL is a loan, not a grant. Your W-2 agency decides eligibility. |
| Training, job search, or work activity while on FoodShare | FSET | Bus passes, mileage, taxi vouchers, gas money, other approved costs | You must be enrolled and taking part in assigned FSET activities. |
| Car repair or car loan for work | WETAP contact list | Local repair loans, used-car loans, carpools, vanpools | Funding and counties served change. Call before applying. |
| Disability-related work transportation | DVR | Least-cost transportation tied to a DVR employment plan | DVR has rules and may have waitlist limits. Ask how transportation fits your plan. |
| Daily bus or local ride cost | Local transit agency | Reduced fares, fare caps, passes, paratransit, shared rides | Rules vary by city and county. Ask about proof needed. |
Medical rides through Wisconsin Medicaid NEMT
Non-emergency medical transportation helps eligible members get to covered health care appointments when they have no other way to go. DHS says NEMT may provide a ride, bus tickets, or gas money. The manager must use the least costly ride that meets your needs.
Call 866-907-1493 or 711 (TTY), or use the NEMT ride fact sheet to see what to have ready. New riders and new locations usually need to schedule by phone. Have your ForwardHealth ID, pickup address, clinic name, appointment time, and child or escort needs ready.
For routine rides, schedule at least two full business days before the visit. If you need bus passes, call earlier. If you can drive but cannot afford gas, DHS says you may get mileage reimbursement. As of the current DHS page, the rate is 24 cents per mile, and the trip log must be signed and submitted on time.
Watch out
NEMT is not for every errand. It is for covered health care services. Extra stops, such as a pharmacy stop after the visit, usually must be approved ahead of time.
Work, training, and job-search transportation
Wisconsin Works (W-2)
W-2 helps eligible parents and some pregnant people prepare for work and keep work. DCF says W-2 can provide work experience, education, job matching, case management, and other services. If transportation is stopping work or required activities, call your local W-2 agency.
A Job Access Loan may help with job-related needs such as car repairs, car insurance, work clothes, tools, or fees tied to getting a driver’s license. DCF lists the loan at up to $1,600, with no interest. It can be paid back over 12 months, and part may be repaid through community service. This is not a grant, and you still need your W-2 agency to decide if you qualify.
Use ACCESS Wisconsin to start benefit applications or find out if you may qualify. You can also call the W-2 Customer Service Line at 855-757-4539 or use the agency locator on the W-2 page.
FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET)
FSET is a free employment and training program for people age 16 and older who get FoodShare. FSET can help with job skills, training, school goals, job search, and meeting FoodShare work rules.
The FSET reimbursement rule says supportive services can include transportation costs that are reasonable and necessary for assigned FSET activities. Examples include mileage, bus tokens, bus passes, taxi vouchers, and gas money. You usually need the expense connected to your employment plan, so ask before you pay.
If you are missing FSET hours because you cannot get there, tell your worker right away. Lack of transportation may matter for good cause or for changing your plan, but you need to report the problem.
DVR transportation for disability-related work plans
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation helps people with disabilities get, keep, or advance in work. DVR transportation can include mileage, bus fare, taxi, van service, or training to use transit when it is needed for DVR services. The DVR transportation policy says transportation must be tied to the DVR process and, after eligibility, listed in the Individualized Plan for Employment.
DVR looks for the lowest-cost option that meets the need, and staff cannot transport consumers. If another program can pay, DVR may treat that as a comparable benefit. Call DVR at 608-261-0050 or 800-442-3477 and ask how transportation can fit your plan.
Car repair, car loan, and rural transportation help
If you need a car to keep work, start with WETAP and your local Community Action agency. The Wisconsin Employment Transportation Assistance Program funds local groups to solve work-related transportation problems for low-income workers. WisDOT says WETAP may support new or expanded transportation services, ridesharing, vanpools, carpools, car repair, and used car loan programs.
Use the 2026 WETAP contacts list to find the agency serving your county. The list includes services such as vehicle repair loans, vehicle purchase loans, carpools, vanpools, and help finding transportation. Programs can run out of money, have county limits, or require a job offer, proof of income, a valid license, insurance, repair estimates, or a car title in your name.
Tip before repairs
Do not approve a costly repair until you ask the program what proof it needs. Many repair programs need written estimates, proof the car is worth fixing, proof the repair is tied to work, and proof no other source can pay.
Transit, rideshare, park-and-ride, and local fare help
If you live near a bus line, a fare cap or reduced fare may be cheaper than paying for rides one trip at a time. WisDOT keeps a statewide public transit guide and a map of transit systems. Rural areas may also have shared-ride taxis, county transportation, volunteer drivers, or Aging and Disability Resource Center transportation for older adults and people with disabilities.
| Area | Program to check | Useful detail | Ask this |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | Half-Price Fare | Low-income riders may qualify for half-price fares with lower caps. | “Can I verify with FoodShare or self-certification?” |
| Madison | Fare caps | Fare capping limits what a rider pays by day, week, or month. | “What is the cheapest way to pay for daily trips?” |
| Milwaukee County | MCTS reduced fare | Reduced fare is for certain riders, including children, seniors, Medicare riders, and riders with qualifying disabilities. | “Do I need a reduced fare card, and how long does it take?” |
| Green Bay | LIFT program | Low Income Fare Trips may provide up to four day passes per month, first come, first served. | “Are passes still available this month?” |
| Eau Claire | Income fare | Income-qualifying riders may apply for a permit card. K-12 students ride free starting in 2026. | “What proof do I need for the permit card?” |
For commuting, check Wisconsin RIDESHARE. It is a free state service that connects people with carpools, bike buddies, and other commute options. WisDOT also lists park-and-ride lots, many of which are free and placed near major roads. A park-and-ride can help you meet a carpool in a safer, public spot.
If your license problem is blocking work
If your license is suspended or revoked, do not guess. Wisconsin DMV may allow an occupational license in some situations. The occupational license page says it can allow driving to places listed on the license, such as work, school, child care, grocery stores, medical appointments, and other household needs.
The license has limits. Wisconsin DMV says total driving time is limited to 12 hours per day and 60 hours per week, and the license lists the counties or states where you may drive. It is not for social trips, recreation, or commercial driving. If your case is tied to child support, OWI, tickets, or court issues, ask DMV, a court clerk, or legal aid what steps apply to your case.
Documents and information to gather
Keep a folder in your phone and a paper envelope if you can. Take photos of receipts, repair estimates, bus passes, work schedules, and denial letters.
| Program | Helpful proof | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| NEMT | ForwardHealth ID, clinic address, appointment date, pickup address, child or escort needs | Needed to schedule, change, or complain about a ride. |
| W-2 or JAL | ID, child information, income, job offer, work schedule, repair estimate, insurance quote | Shows the cost is tied to work and that you meet program rules. |
| FSET | FoodShare case details, employment plan, class schedule, job search proof, receipts | Supportive costs must connect to assigned FSET activities. |
| WETAP | County, job proof, income proof, driver license, car title, insurance, repair estimates | Local repair and loan programs often need proof before approval. |
| Transit reduced fare | Photo ID, EBT/QUEST card, income statement, Medicare card, disability proof if needed | Each transit agency sets its own proof rules. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until the morning of the appointment. Routine Medicaid rides usually need advance notice.
- Paying first and asking later. W-2, FSET, DVR, and WETAP may need approval before paying or reimbursing costs.
- Using the wrong program. NEMT is for medical care. W-2 and FSET are for work or training barriers. Transit discounts are local.
- Not reporting a missed ride. If a ride does not show, call while it is happening and write down the time, trip number, and person you spoke with.
- Ignoring denial letters. Some appeal deadlines are short. Save the letter, envelope, and screenshots.
What to do if you are denied, delayed, or ignored
First, ask for the reason in writing or by message. Then ask what step fixes the problem. Missing proof, the wrong trip type, a late request, or a program funding limit may need different action.
- NEMT: If a ride is denied while you are on the phone, ask for an independent reviewer. DHS also says you can ask for the member ombuds or request a fair hearing within the stated deadline.
- W-2: If you disagree with a W-2 eligibility decision, ask your agency about a Fact Finding Review. You can also call the W-2 Customer Service Line.
- FSET: Ask whether the cost is reasonable and necessary for your employment plan. If transportation stops you from taking part, ask about good cause and plan changes.
- DVR: Ask your counselor how the transportation decision was made and whether it can be added to your plan. If needed, ask about appeal rights.
- Local programs: If a WETAP or charity program is out of funds, ask when funds may reopen and what other agency serves your county.
Backup options when the first answer is no
A no from one office does not always mean there is no help. Try a second path based on the trip need.
- Ask 211 for volunteer drivers, gas vouchers, taxi vouchers, and church or Community Action programs.
- Ask your employer if there is a carpool board, vanpool, emergency ride home, or schedule change for bus routes.
- Ask your child’s school social worker about transportation concerns that affect attendance or pickup.
- Ask your clinic about telehealth, rescheduling, or combining appointments on one day if travel is hard.
- Ask transit agencies about reduced fares, paratransit, travel training, and where to buy passes.
Phone scripts you can use
Medicaid NEMT ride
“Hi, I need help scheduling a ride to a covered medical appointment. I have my ForwardHealth ID, appointment time, clinic address, pickup address, and child or escort needs ready. Can you tell me the ride type and trip number before we hang up?”
W-2 or FSET transportation
“Hi, transportation is stopping me from getting to work, training, or a required activity. Can you check if my program can help with a bus pass, gas, mileage, taxi voucher, car repair, or another approved option before I spend money?”
WETAP car repair help
“Hi, I found your agency on the WETAP contact list. I live in [county] and need transportation to keep work. Are you taking applications for repair help, car loans, carpools, or vanpools right now?”
Transit reduced fare
“Hi, I ride for work and child care. Do you have a low-income fare, reduced fare, fare cap, or monthly pass? What proof do I need, and can I apply online or in person?”
Resumen en espanol
Wisconsin no tiene una sola ayuda de transporte para todas las madres solteras. Si necesita ir al medico y tiene Medicaid o BadgerCare Plus, llame a NEMT al 866-907-1493 o 711 (TTY). Para trabajo, entrenamiento o entrevistas, pregunte por W-2, FSET, DVR o un programa local de WETAP. Para ayuda local, marque 211 y pida “transportation assistance” en su condado. Guarde recibos, cartas, horarios de trabajo y pruebas de citas.
FAQs about transportation help in Wisconsin
Can single mothers get free cars in Wisconsin?
Free car programs are rare. Some WETAP partners and Community Action agencies may offer used-car loans, car repair loans, vanpools, carpools, or help finding transportation. Call first because funding and county service areas change.
Does BadgerCare Plus pay for rides?
BadgerCare Plus and Wisconsin Medicaid members may qualify for non-emergency medical transportation if they have no other way to get to a covered medical appointment. The help may be a ride, bus ticket, or gas money.
Can NEMT take me to work or child care?
No. NEMT is for covered health care services. For work, training, or child care transportation tied to work, ask W-2, FSET, DVR, WETAP, 211, or your local transit agency.
Can Wisconsin Works help with car repairs?
It may, depending on your case and funding. W-2 supportive help and Job Access Loans can be tied to employment needs, but a Job Access Loan is a no-interest loan, not a grant. Ask before authorizing repairs.
What if my Medicaid ride is late or denied?
Call 866-907-1493 or 711 (TTY) while the problem is happening. Ask for help finding the ride, filing a complaint, speaking with the member ombuds, or using the appeal process if the ride was denied.
Where can I find help in my county?
Start with 211 Wisconsin, the 2026 WETAP contact list, your local W-2 agency, and your local transit agency. Ask for gas vouchers, car repair help, volunteer drivers, low-income fares, shared rides, and work transportation.
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 May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 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.