Last updated: May 20, 2026
Urgent help first
If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 911. If calling is not safe, use the safest option you have, such as texting a trusted person, going to a public place, or using a phone away from the person hurting you.
For 24/7 domestic violence help, call the National Hotline at 800-799-7233, chat online, or text START to 88788. Internet use can be monitored, so use a safer device if you can.
In Wisconsin, you can also use the End Abuse map to find a local domestic violence program. For food, shelter, transportation, utility help, and other local needs, call 211 Wisconsin or 877-947-2211, or text your ZIP code to 898211.
Bottom line
Wisconsin has several real help paths for single mothers facing abuse. The fastest starting points are a local domestic violence advocate, 211, the county Clerk of Court, and a legal aid office. These services can help you ask about shelter, safety planning, restraining orders, child care, food, health care, address privacy, and housing.
This guide is for general information only. It is not legal advice, safety advice, medical advice, or a promise that a program can help. Domestic violence situations can change quickly. A trained advocate or lawyer can help you think through your own facts.
Where to start in Wisconsin
If you feel overwhelmed, start with one safe contact. You do not have to know the right program name before you call. Say what is happening, where you are, whether children are with you, and what you need today.
If you need safety help today
Call a local domestic violence program through the End Abuse Wisconsin map, or contact the National Hotline. Ask about shelter, safety planning, court advocacy, and children’s needs.
If you need legal protection
Call the county Clerk of Court or use the Wisconsin court forms assistant. Ask whether a domestic abuse temporary restraining order fits your situation.
If you need basic needs
Call 211 and ask for domestic violence shelter, emergency housing, transportation, food, diapers, utility help, and local victim funds.
If you need benefits
Use ACCESS for FoodShare, BadgerCare Plus, Wisconsin Shares child care, and some other programs. Ask a safe advocate before sharing location details if your address is not safe.
For a broader list of support by need, use our Wisconsin help guide. If money is tight and you need several kinds of help at once, our emergency help guide may also help you decide what to ask for first.
Quick contact table
| Need | Start here | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate danger | 911 | Police, emergency medical help, or urgent child safety response |
| 24/7 abuse support | National Hotline | Safety planning, chat, text help, local referrals |
| Local Wisconsin advocate | End Abuse map | Nearest domestic violence program, shelter, court advocacy |
| Native survivors | StrongHearts | Confidential Native-centered domestic and sexual violence support |
| Food, shelter, utilities | 211 Wisconsin | Local openings, motel options, food pantries, transportation, energy help |
| Restraining order forms | court forms assistant | Domestic abuse or harassment forms, county filing steps |
| Legal aid | Legal Action | Family law, restraining orders, housing, benefits, crime victim issues |
Protective orders and legal help
In Wisconsin, a domestic abuse temporary restraining order, often called a TRO, may give short-term protection while the court schedules a hearing. The court can schedule an injunction hearing within 14 days if a TRO is granted. A domestic abuse injunction can last up to 4 years. Some cases may have different rules, so confirm your county process before you file.
You can start with the court forms assistant or your county Clerk of Court. The Wisconsin Department of Justice has a plain page on DOJ restraining orders. For a self-help explanation, Wisconsin Law Help explains what information may be useful when you prepare forms and attend the hearing.
Safety and legal note
A restraining order is a court tool, not a safety guarantee. Filing can sometimes increase risk if the person hurting you becomes angry or if they learn where you are. Ask a domestic violence advocate or lawyer about safer ways to file, serve papers, attend court, and keep your address private.
Legal aid may be able to help with restraining orders, custody, placement, child support, housing, public benefits, and crime victim issues. Legal Action of Wisconsin says it focuses many family law services on clients who are or have been victims of domestic violence. You can start with the family law page or its statewide intake line.
ASMOM also has a general legal safety guide and a national domestic violence guide. Use official Wisconsin resources for forms and filing steps.
Address privacy and victim costs
If your location must stay private, ask an advocate about Wisconsin Safe at Home before you put a new address on school, court, benefits, job, license, or housing paperwork. Safe at Home is Wisconsin’s address confidentiality program. It gives approved participants a substitute address and forwards mail. You must work with a designated Application Assistant and do safety planning before you apply.
If you have crime-related expenses, Wisconsin’s Crime Victim Compensation program may help with certain unreimbursed costs that result from a violent crime. The state says intake can take 90 to 120 days because of application volume, so it should not be treated as same-day cash. Ask a victim advocate for help applying and for other local emergency funds while you wait.
| Tool | May help with | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Safe at Home | Using a substitute mailing address | You need an Application Assistant and a safety plan first. |
| Restraining order | Court-ordered limits on contact or abuse | The court process can be stressful and does not replace safety planning. |
| Crime Victim Compensation | Some crime-related costs | It is not instant help and does not cover every expense. |
| Legal aid | Family, housing, benefits, and victim issues | Demand is high, so intake does not always mean representation. |
Shelter and housing help
If home is not safe, call a domestic violence advocate before you call general shelters when possible. An advocate may know safer options, family shelter rules, transportation help, and what to do if beds are full. They may also help you document domestic violence for housing programs, school stability, or work leave.
For homelessness or risk of homelessness outside Dane, Milwaukee, and Racine counties, the Balance of State Continuum of Care supports local housing coalitions. Dane County has a separate Dane Coordinated Entry system. In other areas, call 211 or your local shelter and ask how coordinated entry works for your county.
Housing help is often limited. A call does not mean a bed, apartment, or voucher is open. Ask to be placed on callback lists, ask about family shelters, and ask whether domestic violence changes how your situation is screened. Our housing help guide, rent assistance guide, and Section 8 guide explain more housing paths, but local availability controls what is actually open.
Food, cash, child care, health, and energy help
Abuse can cause lost work, lost child care, school moves, medical needs, and sudden bills. Wisconsin programs can help with some basics, but each program has rules, proof requests, and wait times. Start with ACCESS when it is safe to do so. You can also call or visit your local agency.
| Program | What it helps with | Where to start | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| FoodShare | Groceries through Wisconsin’s SNAP program | FoodShare | You may need an interview and proof. Watch for calls from your agency. |
| BadgerCare Plus | Health coverage for eligible children, pregnant people, and adults | BadgerCare Plus | Keep address and contact details safe and current. |
| Wisconsin Shares | Child care subsidy for approved activities | Wisconsin Shares | If child support cooperation creates safety risk, ask about an exemption. |
| Wisconsin Works | Work services and possible cash assistance for eligible parents | Wisconsin Works | It has income, asset, work, and proof rules. |
| Emergency Assistance | A housing emergency tied to homelessness, domestic violence, fire, disaster, or energy crisis | Emergency Assistance | You must be a parent or relative caring for a child younger than 18 and meet rules. |
| WHEAP | Heating, electric, and energy crisis help | WHEAP limits | Benefits depend on income, household size, energy costs, and funding. |
For 2025-2026, WHEAP lists income limits from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Examples include $50,243 annual income for a household of 2, $62,065 for 3, and $73,888 for 4. Always check the state table before applying because energy rules change by program year.
Wisconsin Shares child care uses income limits that update yearly. For 2026, the state lists monthly 200% federal poverty level limits of $3,607 for a group of 2, $4,553 for 3, $5,500 for 4, and $6,447 for 5 at application. You may also need an approved activity, a child care authorization, and a provider that participates in YoungStar.
If you need a simple checklist before you apply, use our documents checklist. For more background, read our SNAP guide, Medicaid guide, and child care guide.
Documents to gather if it is safe
Only gather documents if it is safe. Do not risk harm to get paperwork. An advocate can help you decide what matters most and how to store copies safely.
| Need | Helpful items | Why it may matter |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency shelter | ID, children’s birth dates, school or medical needs, safe contact number | Programs may need basic intake details and child needs. |
| Court forms | Dates, threats, injuries, police reports, photos, messages, witness names | Specific facts can help the court understand the request. |
| Benefits | Income proof, rent or utility bills, child care schedule, household members | Agencies often ask for proof before approval. |
| Address privacy | New safe contact plan, school and benefit records, mailing concerns | Safe at Home planning works best before address changes spread. |
Mistakes to avoid
- Using an unsafe phone or device. If your phone, browser, email, or accounts may be monitored, call from another phone or use a trusted public device.
- Posting location details. Avoid posting school, shelter, court, hotel, or new address details online.
- Assuming benefits are automatic. FoodShare, Wisconsin Shares, BadgerCare Plus, W-2, EA, and WHEAP all have rules and proof requests.
- Ignoring child support safety concerns. If child support cooperation could put you or your child at risk, ask the benefit agency about good cause or safety exemptions.
- Missing notices. Save agency letters, court dates, and benefit deadlines in a safe place. If a benefit is denied, delayed, or closed, our benefits appeal guide may help you plan your next step.
Backup options if the first call does not work
If a shelter is full, ask for daily callbacks, hotel voucher leads, transportation help, and other counties you can safely contact. If legal aid cannot take your case, ask for a clinic, court self-help center, domestic violence advocate, or lawyer referral.
If benefits take too long, call 211 for food pantries, diapers, school supplies, transportation, and utility help. Our local resources guide and Community Action guide can help you think of places to call. If custody or support issues are part of the abuse, read our child support guide before you share information that may affect safety.
Phone scripts
Calling a domestic violence program
“Hi, I am a single mother in Wisconsin. I am not safe at home and I have children with me. I need to talk about shelter, safety planning, transportation, and court advocacy. Is this a safe time to give you my first name and county?”
Calling the Clerk of Court
“I need information about filing for a domestic abuse temporary restraining order. What forms do I need, where do I file, and is there a domestic violence advocate at the courthouse or nearby?”
Calling legal aid
“I am calling about domestic violence and family safety. I may need help with a restraining order, custody or placement, housing, and benefits. What is your intake process, and what documents should I have ready?”
Calling 211 or a benefits agency
“I left or may need to leave because of domestic violence. I need safe shelter, food, child care, utility help, and transportation. Please tell me what is open in my county and whether there are domestic violence-specific programs.”
Resumen en español
Si usted o sus hijos están en peligro inmediato, llame al 911. Para ayuda contra la violencia doméstica, llame a la línea nacional al 800-799-7233 o mande START al 88788. En Wisconsin, use el mapa de End Abuse Wisconsin para encontrar un programa local.
También puede llamar al 211 o al 877-947-2211 para comida, refugio, ayuda con servicios públicos, transporte y recursos locales. Si necesita una orden de protección, llame a la oficina del Clerk of Court de su condado o hable con un programa de violencia doméstica. Esta guía es información general, no consejo legal ni de seguridad.
FAQ
What should I do first if I am not safe in Wisconsin?
Call 911 if there is immediate danger. For confidential domestic violence help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, chat online, or text START to 88788. You can also use the End Abuse Wisconsin map to find a local advocate.
Can a Wisconsin domestic violence advocate help with shelter?
Yes, many local programs help with shelter, safety planning, court advocacy, and referrals. Shelter space can be full, so ask about backup options, daily callbacks, transportation, and other safe programs.
How do I ask for a restraining order in Wisconsin?
You can use the Wisconsin court forms assistant or contact your county Clerk of Court. A domestic violence advocate or legal aid office may help you understand forms, filing, service, and hearing steps.
Can I keep my address private after leaving abuse?
Wisconsin Safe at Home may help approved participants use a substitute address. You must work with a designated Application Assistant and complete safety planning before applying.
Can I get food, health care, child care, or energy help?
Possibly. FoodShare, BadgerCare Plus, Wisconsin Shares, Wisconsin Works, Emergency Assistance, and WHEAP each have separate rules. Start with ACCESS, a local agency, or 211 if it is safe.
What if child support cooperation could put me in danger?
Tell the benefit agency that cooperation may create safety risk and ask about good cause or an exemption. A domestic violence advocate or legal aid office can help you ask safely.
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.