Wisconsin · children's waiver
Children's Long-Term Support (CLTS) Waiver Program in Wisconsin
The CLTS Program is a Wisconsin Medicaid waiver that pays for non-medical services so children with disabilities can stay at home. Relatives such as grandparents, aunts, uncles or adult siblings can be paid to give services like personal supports, but parents and other primary caregivers living in the child's household cannot be paid, except for some transportation.
Also called: CLTS · CLTS Waiver · Children's Long-Term Support · CLTS Wisconsin · personal supports
Who do you care for?
Quick facts
- Pay
- Up to the CLTS service rate
- Adult children & other relatives
- Yes
- Spouse
- CLTS serves children and young adults; spousal pay is not addressed.
- Parent of a minor child
- Not right now
- Waitlist
- none
Who qualifies for Children's Long-Term Support (CLTS) Waiver Program
- Under age 22.
- Eligible for Wisconsin Medicaid (children can qualify through the waiver).
- Needs the level of care provided in a hospital, nursing home or institution for people with developmental disabilities.
- Can safely get required care at home, in foster care or in another approved setting.
Who can be paid as the caregiver
- Adult children & other relatives Yes
- relatives and legal guardians can deliver most waiver services if they meet provider qualifications, the need is in the plan, and the rate is no higher than for a similar provider.
- Spouse
- CLTS serves children and young adults; spousal pay is not addressed.
- Parent of a minor child Not right now
- the CLTS manual says payment to a parent or primary caregiver in the participant's household is not allowed, except in certain cases for transportation.
- Living together
- paid relatives cannot be the primary caregiver in the child's household.
Who employs the caregiver: Either. Families can use agency providers or individual providers they select, with a fiscal agent handling payroll for self-directed workers.
Spouse rules differ by program — see spouse pay in Wisconsin.
How much Children's Long-Term Support (CLTS) Waiver Program pays
Up to the CLTS service rate. Paid relatives get no more than the rate that would be paid to a provider of a similar service, per DHS's Children's Long-Term Support: Service Rates. Relatives submit time sheets to the fiscal support entity at least every two weeks. No single hourly figure is published.
Hours and budget: A county support and service coordinator assesses the child and builds an individual service plan. Personal supports cover extraordinary care needs only, not supervision a parent would normally give a child without a disability. Parents above 330% of the federal poverty level may owe a parental payment limit toward costs.
Compare with other Wisconsin programs on the Wisconsin caregiver pay page, or across states in pay rates by state.
Is there a waitlist?
DHS says the CLTS waitlist has ended and continuous enrollment now enrolls eligible children as soon as they qualify.
How to apply for Children's Long-Term Support (CLTS) Waiver Program
- Contact your county health and human services agency (the county waiver agency) and say you want CLTS services for your child.
- Fill out the application and schedule a home visit with a support and service coordinator.
- The coordinator uses the functional screen to confirm your child's needs, eligibility and disability status.
- Once enrolled, build the service plan; a qualified relative outside the household can then be enrolled as a paid individual provider.
- CLTS Program (Wisconsin DHS) — county contacts · not published on the program page · official site
- Wisconsin Medicaid Member Services · 800-362-3002 · official site
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Children's Long-Term Support (CLTS) Waiver Program questions
Can parents get paid through CLTS in Wisconsin?
No. The CLTS manual does not allow payment to a parent or primary caregiver in the child's household, except in some transportation cases.
Can a grandparent be paid to care for a child on CLTS?
Yes. Relatives can provide most waiver services if they meet the provider qualifications, the service is in the plan, and they are paid no more than a similar provider.
Is there a waitlist for CLTS?
No. DHS says the waitlist ended and eligible children are enrolled as soon as they qualify.
Will we have to pay for CLTS?
Families whose income is below 330% of the federal poverty level pay nothing. Higher-income parents may owe a parental payment limit based on income and family size.
What happens when my child turns 18?
CLTS covers children under 22. At 18 a young adult can also look at adult programs like IRIS or Family Care through the ADRC, where a parent may be hired.
Sources: dhs.wisconsin.gov · dhs.wisconsin.gov · dhs.wisconsin.gov · dhs.wisconsin.gov · Updated 2026-10-08. Program rules change — always confirm with the program.
Where most Wisconsin caregivers are
Counties with the most residents aged 65 and older. The rules are the same everywhere in Wisconsin — pick yours for the local picture.
Across the line
States that border Wisconsin
Each state writes its own rules, and they differ more than people expect — a spouse who can be paid on one side of the line often cannot be on the other.