What is the ECF?

The Electronic Case File (ECF) provides statewide centralized electronic storage of client case folders and documents. It is used primarily by the Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) for Medicaid, SNAP, Child Care, and other programs.

Documents are added to the ECF when:

Clients upload documents through ACCESS.
Clients fax documents to the Document Processing Unit (DPU) .
Outgoing mail is generated by CARES Worker Web (CWW)The case management system for Income Maintenance cases.
Workers scan or import paper documents with ECF Capture.

Workers can view documents in the ECF using ECF View and CWW Document Viewer.

This handbook covers ECF Capture and ECF View. See Process Help Chapter 45 Electronic Case File (ECF) for information about CWW Document Viewer and ACCESS Handbook Chapter 14 Submit Documents/Verification for how to upload a document through ACCESS.

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P-16102

Release 25-01
February 22, 2025

Need Help?

Contact the Wisconsin Help Desk at 608-261-4400 (Madison) | 1-866-335-2180 (Toll-Free) | helpdesk@wi.gov (email) and request assistance with CARES ECF

The content within this handbook 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.