Q:  I don't have health insurance.  Is BadgerCare+ an option for me?

A:  BadgerCare+ Core provides medical coverage for individuals (with no dependent children) between the ages of 19 and 64 years old.  However, right now there is a wait list for this program.  If you would like to be added to the wait list, please call (800) 291-2002, or apply online at www.access.wisconsin.gov.

You can also apply for BadgerCare+ at 1220 W. Vliet Street.  In addition, Milwaukee County workers come to Community Advocates twice a month to assist Milwaukee County residents with applying for BadgerCare+; FoodShare; Elderly, Blind/Disabled Medicaid; and other Medicaid programs.

To schedule an appointment at Community Advocates, call (414) 270-2991 from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

In Milwaukee County, there are also some local agencies that can assist you with applying for BadgerCare+, FoodShare, and renewing your benefits.  Click here for a list of locations in our Health Care Resource Guide.

Q:  Are there specialized services for women's health?

A: Wisconsin’s Family Planning Only Services provides free reproductive healthcare to eligible males and females between the ages of 15 and 44. For more information, call (414) 344-5788, ext. 21.

Benefits include the following:

•  Free supply of condoms and many contraceptives / birth control options
•  Free STD and HIV testing and treatment
•  Free routine sexual health exam, including pap smears
•  Private, confidential services

The Wisconsin Well Woman Program provides preventive health screenings for women ages 45 to 64 with little or no health insurance coverage.   Wisconsin Well Woman pays for mammograms, Pap smears, and multiple sclerosis testing for women with high risk for multiple sclerosis.  In addition, the program provides screening for breast and cervical cancer.

For more information or to apply, call (414) 286-8891, or go online: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/womenshealth/WWWP/index.htm

You can also obtain low-cost to free healthcare services at some local clinics.  Please see Community Advocates’ Health Care Resource Guide for a listing of clinics and agencies.

Q:  Where can I apply for disability benefits?

A:  You can apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov.  You can also go to your local Social Security office to apply.  To find the Social Security office in your zip code, call (800) 772-1213.

Here is a listing of offices in Milwaukee County:

Social Security Administration - West
5020 W. North Avenue
Milwaukee, WI  53208
(800) 772-1213

Social Security Administration - North
6300 Fond du Lac Avenue
Milwaukee, WI  53218
(800) 772-1213

Social Security Administration - Downtown
310 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Ste. 260
Milwaukee, WI  53203
(800) 772-1213

Social Security Administration - Mitchell Street
1710 S. 7^th Street, Ste. 200
Milwaukee, WI  53204
(800) 772-1213

Social Security Administration - Greenfield
8455 W. Layton Avenue
Greenfield, WI  53228
(800) 772-1213

Q:  My Disability Application was denied.  Who can help me file an appeal?

A:  Community Advocates’ Disability Department may be able to help you with filing an appeal.  For more information, please call (414) 270-2966.

In addition, click here for a list of other legal representatives and informational resources re: Disability Applications.

Q:  Where can I get low-cost dental care?

A:  These dental clinics provide sliding-fee-scale dental services:

Marquette Dental Clinic
1801 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee
(414) 383-3220

MATC Dental
700 W. Highland Avenue, Room H115, Milwaukee
(414) 297-6573

Guadalupe Dental Clinic
112 S. 3rd Street, Milwaukee
(414) 643-8787

This dental clinic provides free dental services for the uninsured:

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Dental Clinic (formerly Madre)
1730 S. 13th Street, Milwaukee
(414) 383-3220

Q:  I need glasses, and I don’t have insurance.  Where can I get help?

A:  The Gift of Sight program provides referrals for eye glasses for individuals who do not have insurance coverage.  Please call Medline, at (414) 449-4777, ext. 4689.

Q:  I need to file a fair hearing.  Where can I get help with that?

A:  Please contact Legal Action for assistance with filing a fair hearing.  Legal Action also sees clients at Sixteenth Street Clinic, by appointment only.  For more information, contact Legal Action here:

Legal Action - Milwaukee
230 W. Wells Street, Milwaukee
(414) 278-7722 (local) or (888) 278-0633 (toll-free)
www.legalaction.org

Q:  I can’t afford my prescription cost.  Where can I get help?

A:  The Prescription Advocacy and Referral Service assists low-income eligible clients in obtaining free or low-cost prescription medication from participating pharmaceutical companies.  Contact Amber at (414) 906-2306 for more information.

Target and Wal-Mart offer many generic prescriptions for $4.  Check with your nearest store to find out if your medication is on their $4 list.  For more information, you can go on online:  www.walmart.com or www.target.com.

You also might like to view our Health Care Resource Guide which lists free and sliding fee medical services for the uninsured and underinsured residents of Milwaukee County (click here).

Q:  I am in need of food.  Where can I get help?

A:  If you are in need of food immediately, you can call 211, which will help you locate a food pantry in your zip code area and also provide you with information on local hot meal sites.

If you haven’t applied for FoodShare (formerly Food Stamps), you can do so by doing the following:

•  Applying online, at www.access.wisconsin.gov
•  Calling Community Advocates, at (414) 270-2991, to schedule an appointment with the county workers that come to Community Advocates twice a month
•  Going to your local Department of Health and Human Services office at 1220 W. Vliet Street, Milwaukee

Another program that could help stretch your food dollars is the Share food program.  Share helps participants save 30-50% on supermarket-quality foods.  There are no income limits or eligibility requirements. You can purchase food with your Quest card through this program.

For more information:

•  Call (262) 783-2500
•  Visit www.sharewi.org