Independent Living Program - Wisconsin
About this resource
Wisconsin’s Independent Living (IL) Programs help current and former foster youth get ready for adult life. They offer support with:
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🎓 School and education
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💼 Finding a job
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🏠 Housing
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💵 Budgeting money
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🤝 Building a support system
Find your local IL Coordinator here:
🔗 dcf.wisconsin.gov/map/il
Who can use this resource (eligibility)?
You may qualify for Independent Living (IL) services if you were in out-of-home care (OHC) like foster care, group homes, or kinship care. Here's how it works:
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If you’re 17.5 or older while in care – You automatically qualify for all IL services while you’re still in care, no matter how long you've been there.
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If you're 14 to 17.5 years old – You can get services after you've been in OHC for 6 months.
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If you were adopted after age 16 – You can get some IL services until you're 23, but not room and board help.
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If you entered legal guardianship or long-term kinship care after age 16 – You can also get IL services until age 23.
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If you aged out of care at 18 or older – You qualify for IL services until you're 23.
📄 Want more info? Check out the full guide here:
🔗 IL Eligibility in Wisconsin (PDF)