10.2 Eligibility for Child Welfare Caretakers

Child welfare caretakers may qualify for BadgerCare Plus under a caretaker category (MAGN). However, the child may not always be included in the MAGI group (see Section 2.2 Coverage Group Definitions).

The following chart explains the impact of placement type, cooperating with a reunification permanency plan goal, and the BadgerCare Plus eligibility of the parent or caretaker from which the child was removed:

Type of Placement/Agreement or Service

Child Welfare Caretaker Relatives (see Section 2.2.2 Caretaker Relative)

Other Child Welfare Caretakers

Out of Home Care

Kinship Care (voluntary or court-ordered)

If the parent or caretaker relative whose home the child was removed from is enrolled in BadgerCare Plus as the parent or caretaker of the child and is cooperating with reunification permanency plan goal, and there are no other dependent children in the current caretaker’s home, the caretaker is considered a childless adult for purposes of BadgerCare Plus eligibility.

If the parent or caretaker relative whose home the child was removed from is not enrolled in BadgerCare Plus as the parent or caretaker of the child or is not cooperating with a reunification permanency plan goal, the current caretaker relative is considered the caretaker for BadgerCare Plus eligibility.

May only qualify for BadgerCare Plus as a childless adult.

Long-Term kinship care

Subsidized Guardianship

May qualify for BadgerCare Plus as a caretaker relative.

May only qualify for BadgerCare Plus as a childless adult.

These factors and tax filing status impact the BadgerCare Plus group size.

See Process Help, Section 12.26 Child Welfare Parents, for information on processing the child welfare parent or caretaker relative cases.

Example 1

Stacy’s child, Jared, was placed in out-of-home care with Laura by the child welfare agency. Stacy files taxes but is not claiming Jared as her tax dependent. Because Laura has had Jared in her care most of the year, she is claiming Jared as her tax dependent. Stacy is cooperating with the reunification goal of Jared’s permanency plan. There are no other children, tax filers, or tax dependents in either Stacy’s or Laura’s households. If Laura applies for BadgerCare Plus and meets all non-financial and financial requirements, she may be eligible for BadgerCare Plus as a childless adult with a group size of two

Example 2

Ben’s daughter, Megan, was placed in court-ordered Kinship Care with her grandfather, James (age 60), who is 60 years old. Ben does not file taxes, but. James does. file taxes and Because Megan was in James’s home most of the year, he claims Megan as his dependent that year. There are no other children, tax filers, or tax dependents in either Ben’s or James’s households. Ben is cooperating with the reunification goal of Megan’s permanency plan and is enrolled in BadgerCare Plus as Megan’s parent. If they both James applies apply for BadgerCare Plus and meets all non-financial and non-financial requirements, Ben he will may be eligible for BadgerCare Plus as a parent with a group size of two and James as a childless adult with a group size of two.

Example 3

Jenny’s son, Simon, was placed with Jerry (age 66) in out-of-home care by the child welfare agency. Jenny is cooperating with the reunification goal of Simon’s permanency plan. Jenny files taxes and claims Simon as a dependent. If Jerry applies for health care, Jerry may be eligible for EBD Medicaid.

Example 4

Christopher’s son, Braden, was placed in Kinship Care with Christopher’s sister, Vicki. Christopher is claiming Braden as a tax dependent, but he is not applying for BadgerCare Plus. Vicki also files taxes. If Vicki meets all non-financial and non-financial requirements, Vicki would may be eligible for BadgerCare Plus as a caretaker relative with a group size of one.

Example 5

Heather’s son, Caden, was placed in Kinship Care with Heather’s sister, Vanessa. Heather is claiming Caden as a tax dependent. Heather is not applying for BadgerCare Plus. Vanessa does not file taxes. If Vanessa meets all non-financial and financial requirements, she may be eligible for BadgerCare Plus as a caretaker relative with a group size of two.

This page last updated in Release Number: 26-02
Release Date: 04/15/2026
Effective Date: 04/15/2026