State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Release 26-02 April 15, 2026

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18.3 Increase in Spousal Support or Family Support Income Extensions

18.3.1 Support Extensions

If a parent, caretaker, or pregnant person’s countable monthly income increases above 100% FPL and all or part of the excess income consists of spousal support income, grant an extension of either four months or 12 months depending on the case circumstances.

For cases that receive family support, only the spousal support or alimony portion of the family support is considered for support extensions (see Section 16.5 Other Income).

18.3.1.1 Four-Month Extensions

The four-month BadgerCare Plus extension only applies if:

1. The monthly income increase which caused the countable income to exceed 100% FPL must be due solely to one of the following:
   1. Increased spousal support income.
   2. Increased spousal support income along with other unearned income (changed or unchanged).
2. There has been no increase in earned income.
3. They are an eligible BadgerCare Plus member with monthly income at or below 100% FPL at the time the income increased to over 100% FPL.
4. They must have been enrolled in BadgerCare Plus with monthly income that was at or below 100% FPL for at least three of the six months immediately preceding the month in which the monthly income went above 100% FPL.
5. They otherwise meet the BadgerCare Plus eligibility criteria for persons with monthly income below 100% FPL.

18.3.1.2 Twelve-Month Extensions

The 12-month BadgerCare Plus extension applies only if:

1. Earned monthly income increased but spousal support income remained the same or both earned monthly income and spousal support income increased.
2. They are a BadgerCare Plus member with monthly income at or below 100% FPL at the time the monthly income increased to over 100% FPL.
3. They must have been enrolled in BadgerCare Plus with monthly income that was at or below 100% FPL for at least three of the six months immediately preceding the month in which the monthly income went above 100% FPL, and
4. They otherwise meet the BadgerCare Plus eligibility criteria for persons with monthly income below 100% FPL.

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The information concerning the BadgerCare Plus program provided in this handbook release is published in accordance with: Titles XI, XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act; Parts 430 through 481 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations; Chapter 49 of the Wisconsin Statutes; and Chapters HA 3, DHS 2 and 101 through 109 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code.

Notice: The content within this manual is the sole responsibility of the State of Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS). This site will link to sites outside of DHS where appropriate. DHS is in no way responsible for the content of sites outside of DHS.

Publication Number: P-10171