Lincoln County Community Resources 


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 Energy Cell Phone
 Food Clothing

Housing AODA
 Legal
 Healthcare



Other

Energy

Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)

Assistance includes regular heating and electric assistance, as well as specialized services including emergency fuel assistance, counseling for energy budgets, and emergency furnace repair and replacement. 


Lincoln County Dept of Social Services

607 N Sales St

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph: 715-536-6200


Apply online here (you will need a valid e-mail address and Social Security Number to apply)


Please click HERE for eligibility requirements. 


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Emergency Assistance

Primarily for housing crisis situations but also has energy assistance component.


Go to "Other Resources" section on this page or click HERE for more information.



WHEAP Heat for Heroes

Provides energy assistance to Veterans.


Ph: 800-891-9276

Cell Phone

Lifeline

Provides free or reduced cell phone and/or land line service to eligible households in Wisconsin. There are a number of national providers for Lifeline including Safelink and Q-Link. Both have service areas in Wisconsin but that does not mean that the cell coverage is very good. It is advised you research HERE for the best provider in your area.

Eligibility Requirements: must be a recipient of one of the following public assistance programs:

  • BadgerCare
  • Food Share
  • Medical Assistance
  • Social Security (SSI)
  • Wisconsin Heating and Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)
  • Wisconsin Homestead Credit (Scheduled "H" on the WI Tax Return
  • Wisconsin Works (W-2 Program)

Emergency Broadband Benefit Program - Forward Health WI

Temporary program to help families and households afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. To learn more including eligibility and enrollment information call 833-511-0311 or click HERE.


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Food

Community Action Program (CAP) Food Pantry

Food pantry available Monday-Thursday 10:00am-12:00pm and Thursdays 4:00pm-6:00pm. Call the number listed below to make your order.


Menard Resource Center

503 S Center Ave

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph: 715-536-4505


Open Hearts Food Bank

Food bank available on Wednesday & Fridays from 2:00pm-4:00pm in the church basement.


Trinity Lutheran Church

107 N State St

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph:715-536-5482

 

His Hands Extended Food Pantry

Food pantry available by appointment only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.


New Testament Church

N 2519 Hwy K

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph: 715-536-8554


United Methodist Church Food Pantry

Food pantry available Wednesday from 1:00pm-3:00pm and Fridays from 11:00am-12:30pm


1104 School Rd

Tomahawk, WI 54487

Ph: 715-453-1386


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Breaking Bread Community Meal

Meals served the 3rd Thursday of every month from 4:30pm-6:00pm


Eagle's Club

1205 Lake St.

Merrill, WI 54452


Dinner at Five

Every Monday night a community table at Saint Stephens

5:00pm-6:00pm


St. Stephens United Church

903 E 2nd St

Merrill, WI 54452


FoodShare

The FoodShare program provides supplemental nutritional assistance to low-income individuals and families. You can apply in three ways: Visit the address below in person, call the number listed below, or apply online here.


Lincoln County Dept of Social Services

607 N Sales St

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph: 888-445-1621



NEWCAP

Provides emergency food supplies for households to food pantries and soup kitchens/shelters.


Ph: 800-242-7334

Clothing
Career Closet

Serves men and women in need of clothing for interviewing or employment. Individuals may take up to two outfits at no cost to help them start their wardrobe. 


Tuesdays: (3:00-5:00pm)

Wednesdays:(11:00am-1:00pm)

Thursdays: (12:00-2:00pm)

 

705 S 24th Ave.

Suite 440

Wausau WI 54401

(Closet entrance located off of Helmke Street.)

 

Helping Hands Bargain Center

Hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 10:00am-4:00pm and Saturday from 10:00am-3:00pm


407 Grand Ave

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph: 715-536-7241

 

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St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Store

Hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00am-4:00pm. Get a FREE clothing voucher for the thrift store by visiting the SVDP Outreach office at 503 S Center Ave, Merrill.


1004 E Main St

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph: 715-539-1131


Thrift Cellar

Get a FREE clothing voucher from Tomahawk Salvation Army


St. Mary's Church

320 E Washington Ave

Tomahawk, WI 54487

Ph: 715-453-2878


Tomahawk Community Thrift Shop

Hours of operation: Tuesday 10:00am - 3:00pm, Wednesday 12:00pm - 6:00pm, Friday 10:00am - 3:00pm, and Saturday 10:00am - 3:00pm


328 N 4th St.

Tomahawk, WI 54487

AODA

Peaceful Solutions Counseling

Provides assessments and effective treatment/counseling services for individuals (adults and teens) abusing or addicted to chemical substances.


726 East 2nd Street

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph: 715-675-3458


Drug Rehab Guide for Addiction & Mental Health

Guide to answer questions regarding drug rehab center facilities including their focus, treatment options, accreditation, and cost.

Wisconsin Rehab List

Guide to all inpatient and outpatient alcohol and drug addiction rehabilitation facilities in Wisconsin.


WI Addiction Recovery Helpline

Ph: 1-833-944-4673 

Text your ZIP Code to 898211

https://211wisconsin.communityos.org/addiction-helpline





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North Central Health Care

Provides crisis services, outpatient and inpatient services, OWI assessment services, substance abuse day treatment, community treatment services, and family support services.


Merrill Office
607 N. Sales Street - Suite 309
Merrill, WI 54452
Ph: 715-536-9482 

Tomahawk Office
213 W. Wisconsin Ave
Tomahawk, WI 54487
Ph: 715-453-5381


Crisis Hotline (emergency and crisis care available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week):

715-845-4326 or 800-799-0122


National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence

Ph: 844-595-0505

https://recovered.org/


Legal

Wisconsin Judicare

Legal aid office for low-income residents. 

 

401 5th Street

Suite 200

Wausau, WI 54403

Ph: 715-842-1681


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Lawyer Referral & Information

Legal hotline offers general legal information and lawyer referral through the State Bar of Wisconsin. 

 

Ph: 800-362-9082

Healthcare

Medical Assistance

The IM Central Consortium administers a number of medical assistance programs including BadgerCare Plus, Family Planning, Community Waivers, Nursing Home and Elderly-Blind-Disabled medicare programs.


Lincoln County Department of Social Services

607 N Sales St

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph: 888-794-5722


St. Vincent De Paul Community Care

Provides individual assistance to anyone who is lacking the basic necessities of life. Free clinic open only Thursday nights at 5:00pm. Offers primary medical care, onsite pharmacy. Patients should arrive between 5:00pm-6:00pm to register and are seen on a first come, first serve basis after registration hour.


401 W Main St.

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph: 715-539-9566


Bridge Community Clinic

Provides primary health care and dental services by appointment at reduced cost for income-eligible patients. 


401 West Main Street

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph: 715-539-8181 (medical) or 715-627-4383 (dental)


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Aging and Disability Resource Center

Promotes choice and independence through personalized education. advocacy, and access to services that prevent, delay, and lessen the impacts of aging and disabilities in the lives of adults. Available Monday - Friday from 8:00am - 4:30pm.


607 N Sales St.

Suite 206

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph: 715-536-0311


Lincoln County Health Department

Provides services to residents promoting optimal health and safety through prevention, protection, and intervention. Available Monday - Friday from 8:00am - 4:30pm.


607 N Sales St

Suite 101

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph: 715-536-0307


North Central Health Care Center

Provides comprehensive community health care.


607 N Sales St.

Suite 309

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph: 715-536-9482

Housing

WRAP - Wisconsin Rental Assistance Program
This program assists Eligible renters who have had a significant loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic and need help with their rent. 


The Rental Assistance Program can award up to $3000 per individual in a combination of rental payments and/or security deposits. 

Information on where to apply can be found here


Emergency Assistance

Primarily for housing crisis situations.


Go to "Other Resources" section on this page or click HERE for more information.


Merrill Area Housing Authority

Provider of decent, safe, maintenance free and independent affordable housing.


701 E 1st St

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph: 715-722-1081


Northcentral Community Action Program

Provides emergency rental assistance or emergency lodging. Help for those facing homelessness. Weatherization program for energy efficiency.


503 S Center Ave

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph: 715-536-9581


Warming Centers


 Merrill: 

  • T.B. Scott Free Library: 106 W First St; Monday-Thursday: 9:30am-8:00pm, Friday: 9:30am-5:00pm, and Saturday: 9:30am-1:00pm
  • Riverside Athletic Club: 500 S Center Ave; Monday-Thursday: 6:00am-8:00pm, Friday: 6:00am-5:00pm, and Saturday: 7:00am-12:00pm

Tomahawk:

  • Tomahawk Public Library: 300 W Lincoln Ave; Monday-Thursday 10:00am-7:00pm, Friday 10:00am-5:00pm, and Saturday 10:00am-1:00pm   
  • Senior Center: 113 S Tomahawk Ave; Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm
  • Tomahawk City Hall: 23 N 2nd St; Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm         

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Our Sister's House Homeless Shelter

Provide immediate temporary housing to individuals and families. Offers assistance in employment search, education, medical care, and counseling services. Residents allowed to stay up to 3 months.


328 E Washington St

Tomahawk, WI 54487

Ph: 715-224-3520


MAC Home Homeless Shelter of Merrill

Warming center open every night for individuals. Intake from 7:00pm-9:00pm. Immediate temporary housing for individuals and families. Offer assistance in employment search and finding permanent housing. Residents allowed to stay up to 3 months.


407 W Main St

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph: 715-722-1200

http://machomemerrillwi.com/


Salvation Army

Provides emergency assistance including utilities (max. $300), food, clothing, and shelter vouchers to eligible individuals in an emergency or disaster situation. May also provide rent, mortgage, or security deposit payment assistance.


108 W Somo Ave

Tomahawk, WI 54487

Ph: 715-453-5939


Lincoln County Housing Authority

Provides housing assistance to low-income residents.


402 S Park Dr

Tomahawk, WI 54487

Ph: 715-453-4233


Foundation For Rural Housing

Provides housing assistance for Lincoln County residents. Eligibility criteria is listed on their website. 


Ph: (808) 400-5974 or (608) 238-3448

Email: wrh@wisconsinruralhousing.org

https://www.wisconsinruralhousing.org/


Childcare

Wisconsin Shares (Child Care Assistance)

Wisconsin Shares is Wisconsin's childcare subsidy program that helps families and caretakers pay for childcare. 

 

The service provider for Wisconsin Shares in Lincoln County is:

Lincoln County Social Services

607 N Sales St

Suite 202

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph: 888-794-5722


You can apply in person, over the phone, or online at access.wisconsin.gov 

Wisconsin Child Care Provider Listing

The State of Wisconsin has an online directory of all regulated child care providers (certified, licensed family and licensed group centers). 


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Childcaring - Central Wisconsin Child Care Resource and Referral Agency

Call or meet with a referral specialist who will conduct a computerized search for regulated childcare programs which best meet your needs.

 

1500 Merrill Ave

Suite 201

Wausau, WI 54401

Ph: 715-301-1800


Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm (Please call the office before stopping by to ensure a staff member is available)

Transportation

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation

**Effective 11/1/21, Veyo replaced MTM, inc. as the DHS contracted NEMT provider


Transportation service for non-emergency medical appointments for recipients of medical assistance. You can get rides to/from non-emergency medical appointments or you can get reimbursed for your trips to/from non-emergency medical appointments.


To schedule a ride call: 866-907-1493

Or schedule through the member portal


Must call 2 days in advance.

Trip logs can be found here.

Merrill-Go-Round Bus Service

Public transportation in Merrill area. Available Monday-Friday from 7:00am - 5:00pm. Cost: General is $2.00 and Elderly/Disabled is $1.00.


1004 E 1st St.

#10

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph: 715-536-7122


Wisconsin RideShare

Free service that brings commuters together for carpooling and bicycle commuting.


Ph: 800-455-7665


Job Access Loan

A short-term loan program for individuals with minor children to meet emergency needs related to employment.  


Forward Service Corporation

Application and Resource Hot Line

Phone: 1-855-733-1311


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Wanta Ride

Provider of taxi service.

Ph: 715-771-0425


Blue Jay Taxi

Provider of taxi service

Ph: 715-539-7112


Wisconsin Association of Mobility Managers

Operate shared-ride taxi services, intercity buses, local transit and paratransit services, teach people how to use transit, coordinate trips between agencies, manage volunteer driver programs, educate communities about transportation options, organize van pools and car pools, run one call centers and more. 


Ph: 608-372-3971 #61556

Email: terrance.dwyer@va.gov

Ask for Terrance Dwyer - Lincoln County Mobility Manager


WETAP

No-interest vehicle repair and purchase loans across the service area. You need to be low-income to be eligible for a WETAP loan. You also need to

  • be employed or have a job offer
  • have car insurance
  • have a valid Wisconsin driver’s license

Other Resources

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-8255 or Call/Text 988

https://youmatter.988lifeline.org/


HOPELINE - Center for Suicide Awareness

Ph: 920-475-4748

Text "Hopeline" to 741741

https://www.centerforsuicideawareness.org/hopeline


Wisconsin Works (W-2)

W-2 is a time-limited program that provides temporary cash assistance and case management services to low-income parents and pregnant women. W-2 is a work program for adults willing to engage in work activities; it is not an entitlement.


Forward Service Corp - Lincoln County

607 North Sales St.

Merrill, WI 53530


Application and Resource Hot Line

Phone: 1-855-733-1311


Innovative Services, Inc.

Provide support and services for individuals with developmental disabilities as well as support for people of all ages with varying needs. 


Wausau Office:

1720 Merrill Ave

Suite 100

Wausau, WI 54401

Ph: 715-298-4087


Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin – Community Services

Provides residents of Lincoln County with parenting skills and numerous methods to strengthen families. Offer Drop-In Playtime; Ask the Experts information meeting and a library of information on various topics concerning parenting and the welfare of families.

Available by appointment


201 B Stange St.

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph: 715-539-9228


Free Taxes

Every household with a simple return, can file federal and state taxes for free through https://www.myfreetaxes.com/ 


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Emergency Assistance

If you’re about to lose your home or have utilities shut off, Emergency Assistance may be able to help. You may qualify for Emergency Assistance if:

  • Can’t pay your rent or mortgage
  • You have received an eviction notice
  • You received a foreclosure notice
  • Your family is living in a shelter or temporary place
  • You received a disconnect notice for your utilities
  • Your heat or electricity is shut off
  • Lost your home through fire, flood, or natural disaster

Forward Services Corp.

607 N Sales St.

Merrill, WI 54452

Ph: 1-800-771-8420


HAVEN, Inc. (Household Abuse Victims Emergency Network)

Services provided for sexual assault and domestic violence victims and their children.

 

24-hour crisis line: 715-536-1300

https://www.haveninc.org/


National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Ph: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

https://ncadv.org/


North Central Health Care Center Crisis Services

1-800-799-0122 or 715-536-9482 

https://www.norcen.org/


St. Vincent De Paul Center - Merrill

Ph: 715-539-2666


The TREVOR Project

For LGBTQ Young People ages 25 and under

Ph: 1-866-488-7386

Text "Start" to 678678

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/


National Eating Disorders Association

Ph: 1-800-931-2237

For 24/7 crisis support, text "NEDA" to 741741

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/


National Alliance on Mental Health

Ph: 1-800-950-6264 https://www.nami.org/Home

Ph: 1-800-236-2988 https://namiwisconsin.org/


UpLiftWI

ph# 534-202-5438

from Noon - Midnight daily

Talk to someone who is there to listen and offer support.

This is a non-emergency service, free and confidential. 

Address: Wood County Human Services - River Block

111 W. Jackson St., 2nd Floor, Wisconsin Rapids WI 54495  

Phone: +1 (715) 421-8608 8

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