3.2 Start an Application

Use these instructions to help people start their benefits application.

Step 1: Open the application

To begin the application, go to access.wi.gov and select Apply for benefits. The applicant is asked to create an account or log into their existing account.
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The applicant must have an account that links their application. 
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If the applicant doesn't have an account, select Create an Account. See 1.2 Create an Account.

If the applicant already has an account, log in and continue with their application. See 1.3 Log in to Access Account.

The next step displayed depends on who is completing the application.

Step 2: Provide user information

The Applying for someone else page asks the user how they are related to the primary applicant. Anyone can assist the applicant with applying but cannot act on the applicant’s behalf unless they have legal permission. An authorized representative, legal guardian, conservator, or agent with power of attorney can apply on behalf of the applicant for all programs except Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy.
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If they are an authorized representative, legal guardian, conservator, or agent with power of attorney, an additional screen displays to gather their information.

Authorized representative information (Click to show)Authorized representative information (Click to show)

The Appointing an authorized representative page explains what an authorized representative is and why an applicant would want to appoint one. After the explanation, the page asks the applicant if they would like to appoint an authorized representative now or at a later time.
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Questions	How to Answer
Do you want to appoint an authorized representative now?	Select Yes, No, or I’ll do this later.

If the applicant decides to appoint an authorized representative now, the next page displays.

The Authorized representative information page asks for general information about the authorized representative. The questions vary slightly if the representative is an individual or an organization. The authorized representative must enter their information and confirm they understand their right and responsibilities as an authorized representative.

If the representative was selected as authorized representative (person), the Statements of understanding page displays.

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If the representative was selected as authorized representative (organization), the Statements of understanding page displays.

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Questions	How to Answer
Authorized representative name	This question displays if the authorized representative is an individual. Enter the full name of the authorized representative. The middle initial and suffix are optional.
Organization name	This question displays if the authorized representative is an organization. Enter the business name of the organization.
Address	Enter the full mailing address of either the individual or organization.
Phone number (Optional)	Enter the phone number of the individual or organization.
Contact person’s name	This question displays if the authorized representative is an organization. Enter the name of the contact person at the organization.
Email (Optional)	Enter the email address of the individual or contact person.
I understand and agree to the statements of understanding above. I agree to serve as the authorized representative for the applicant.	Select the checkbox to confirm. The confirmation wording is different if the authorized representative is an organization.

The Applicant’s statements of understanding page displays next. The applicant must confirm they understand their rights in appointing an authorized representative and can choose if they should get copies of their program letters and notices.

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Questions	How to Answer
Do you want your authorized representative to get copies of letters about your benefits?	Select Yes or No.
I understand and agree to the statements of understanding above.	Select the checkbox to confirm.

The Finish appointing authorized representative page is the last page to appoint an authorized representative. It collects the three required electronic signatures: Applicant signature, Authorized representative signature, and a Witness signature. All three must read the electronic signature acknowledgement and enter their name in the available field.

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Legal Guardian Information (Click to show)Legal Guardian Information (Click to show)

Conservator information (Click to show)Conservator information (Click to show)

The Conservator information page asks the application questions about the conservator.

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Questions	How to Answer
Conservator name	Enter the full legal name of the conservator. The middle initial and suffix are optional.
Address	Enter the full address of the conservator.
Phone number (Optional)	Enter the phone number of the conservator.
Email (Optional)	Enter the email address of the conservator.

Power of attorney information (Click to show)Power of attorney information (Click to show)

Step 3: Select the programs on the application

The “Programs you’re applying for” page asks the applicant which programs they would like to apply for along with brief descriptions of each program. 
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The programs to apply for are:

• Emergency Assistance
• Family Planning Only Services (FPOS)
• FoodShare
• Health care (including BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid and Katie Beckett Medicaid)
• Job Access Loans (JAL)
• Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy
• Wisconsin Works (W-2)

The user can also go to the WIC Pre-Application from this page. This takes them outside of the Apply for Benefits Module.

ACCESS creates one application for all programs, so applicants should be encouraged to apply for any they may be eligible for. If they select certain programs and not others, a pop-up displays asking if they want to select the others. For example, if the applicant applies for only FoodShare, the pop-up encourages them to also apply for health care.

The next page displayed depends on the program or programs they selected. 

Applicant is applying for health care or Family Planning Only Services: Backdated Coverage (Click to show)Applicant is applying for health care or Family Planning Only Services: Backdated Coverage (Click to show)

The title of the page depends on which programs the applicant is applying for. The “Help paying for medical expenses” page or the “Help paying for family planning expenses” page asks about medical or family planning expenses in the past three months that were not paid for by insurance. 
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Questions	How to Answer
Does anyone applying need help paying for medical expenses from the last three months that weren’t paid for by insurance? (optional)	This question displays if the applicant is applying for health care. Select Yes or No. If the applicant selects yes, the next question displays.
What months do you need help with?	Select which month or months the applicant needs help with. The applicant can choose any combination of the past three months.
Does anyone applying need help paying for family planning expenses from the last three months that weren’t paid for by insurance? (optional)	This question displays if the applicant is applying for Family Planning Only Services. Select Yes or No. If the applicant selects yes, the next question displays.
What months do you need help with?	Select which month or months the applicant needs help with. The applicant can choose any combination of the past three months.

Applicant has started their application for health care or Family Planning Only Services and returned to it in a different month (Click to show)Applicant has started their application for health care or Family Planning Only Services and returned to it in a different month (Click to show)

Step 4: Important program information

The “Important program information” page shows the applicant program-specific information about submitting the application and explains options the user has while completing the application.
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Read through the disclaimers and select Next to continue.

Step 5: Things to know about your application

This page shows information the applicant should be aware of before submitting the application, instructions to submit the application right now, and agency decision deadlines.
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Read through the page and select Next to continue.

The applicant is taken to the “Application overview” page to begin.

Notice: The content within this guide is the responsibility of the State of Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Department of Workforce Development (DWD).

Publication Number: P-16101