Eligibility

Head Start is a Federally funded program for families who qualify based on the following factors: 

  • Income falls within the federal guidelines, which are updated annually by the Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Recipients of public assistance programs, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Children in foster care, regardless of the foster family's income
  • Families currently facing homelessness

Families of children enrolling for Head Start programs must complete a two-part enrollment process.  Please contact our Head Start office at 262-335-5472 to begin the enrollment process. 

Young boy standing and smiling in school.

2026 Family Income Guidelines for Head Start Programs (excluding Alaska & Hawaii)

Size of Family Unit Income Guidelines 100-130%**
1 $15,960 $20,748
2 $21,640 $28,132
3 $27,320 $35,516
4 $33,000 $42,900
5 $38,680 $50,284
6 $44,360 $57,668
7 $50,040 $65,052
8 $55,720 $72,436

 

For family units with more than 8 members, add $5,500 for each additional member.

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Categorically Eligible: Foster care, Homeless, SNAP, and receiving public assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or Supplemental Security Income)
Families with a child who has a diagnosed special need (IEP) may also qualify even though they may be above the specific income guideline for their family size.
**If space is available, we are allowed to have 35% of our families in this category.
NOTE: Washington County Head Start can have up to 10% of current enrollment over the 100-130% category. This is our over income families.