49.797 History
History: 2001 a. 16 ss.
1656u to
1656ue,
1656uj to
1656ut; Stats. 2001 s. 49.797.
49.797 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ch.
HFS 252, Wis. adm. code.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
49.81
49.81
Public assistance recipients' bill of rights. The department of health and family services, the department of workforce development and all public assistance and relief-granting agencies shall respect rights for recipients of public assistance. The rights shall include all rights guaranteed by the U.S. constitution and the constitution of this state, and in addition shall include:
49.81(1)
(1) The right to be treated with respect by state agents.
49.81(2)
(2) The right to confidentiality of agency records and files on the recipient. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the use of such records for auditing or accounting purposes or, to the extent permitted under federal law, for the purposes of locating persons, or the assets of persons, who have failed to file tax returns, who have underreported their taxable income or who are delinquent taxpayers, identifying fraudulent tax returns or providing information for tax-related prosecutions.
49.81(3)
(3) The right to access to agency records and files relating to the recipient, except that the agency may withhold information obtained under a promise of confidentiality.
49.81(4)
(4) The right to a speedy determination of the recipient's status or eligibility for public assistance, to notice of any proposed change in such status or eligibility, and, in the case of assistance granted under
s. 49.19,
49.46,
49.468 or
49.47, to a speedy appeals process for resolving contested determinations.
49.82
49.82
Administration of public assistance programs. 49.82(1)(1)
Departments to advise counties. The department of health and family services and the department of workforce development shall advise all county officers charged with the administration of requirements relating to public assistance programs under this chapter and shall render all possible assistance in securing compliance therewith, including the preparation of necessary forms and reports. The department of health and family services and the department of workforce development shall also publish any information that those departments consider advisable to acquaint persons entitled to public assistance, and the public generally, with the laws governing public assistance under this chapter.
49.82(2)
(2) Eligibility verification. Proof shall be provided for each person included in an application for public assistance under this chapter, except for a child who is eligible for medical assistance under
s. 49.46 or
49.47 because of
42 USC 1396a (e) (4) or an unborn child who is eligible for coverage under the Badger Care health care program under
s. 49.665 (4) (ap), of his or her social security number or that an application for a social security number has been made.
49.83
49.83
Limitation on giving information. Except as provided under
s. 49.32 (9),
(10), and
(10m), no person may use or disclose information concerning applicants and recipients of relief funded by a relief block grant, aid to families with dependent children, Wisconsin Works under
ss. 49.141 to
49.161, social services, child and spousal support and establishment of paternity and medical support liability services under
s. 49.22, or supplemental payments under
s. 49.77 for any purpose not connected with the administration of the programs, except that the department of workforce development may disclose such information to the department of revenue for the sole purpose of administering state taxes. Any person violating this section may be fined not less than $25 nor more than $500 or imprisoned in the county jail not less than 10 days nor more than one year or both.
49.83 History
History: 1995 a. 27 ss.
3142,
3144; Stats. 1995 s. 49.83;
1995 a. 289,
361,
404;
1997 a. 35;
2005 a. 25.
49.84
49.84
Verification of public assistance applications. 49.84(1)(1) Any person who applies for any public assistance shall execute the application or self-declaration in the presence of the welfare worker or other person processing the application. This subsection does not apply to any superintendent of a mental health institute, director of a center for the developmentally disabled, superintendent of a state treatment facility or superintendent of a state correctional facility who applies for public assistance on behalf of a patient.
49.84(2)
(2) At the time of application, the agency administering the public assistance program shall apply to the department of health and family services for a certified copy of a birth certificate for the applicant if the applicant is required to provide a birth certificate or social security number as part of the application and for any person in the applicant's household who is required to provide a birth certificate or social security number. The department of health and family services shall provide without charge any copy for which application is made under this subsection.
49.84(3)
(3) Notwithstanding
subs. (1) and
(2), personal identification documentation requirements may be waived for 10 days for an applicant for relief funded by a relief block grant, if the applicant agrees to cooperate with the relief agency by providing information necessary to obtain proper identification.
49.84(4)
(4) Notwithstanding
sub. (2), the relief agency receiving an application under
sub. (3) shall pay on behalf of any applicant under
sub. (3) fees required for the applicant to obtain proper identification.
49.84(5)
(5) A person applying for Wisconsin works under
ss. 49.141 to
49.161, aid to families with dependent children under
s. 49.19, medical assistance under
subch. IV or food stamp program benefits under
7 USC 2011 to
2029 shall, as a condition of eligibility, provide a declaration and other verification of citizenship or satisfactory immigration status as required by the department by rule or as required in
42 USC 1320b-7 (d).
49.845
49.845
Fraud investigation and error reduction. 49.845(1)(1)
Fraud investigation. From the appropriations under
s. 20.435 (4) (bn),
(kz),
(L), and
(nn), the department of health and family services shall establish a program to investigate suspected fraudulent activity on the part of recipients of medical assistance under
subch. IV, food stamp benefits under the food stamp program under
7 USC 2011 to
2036, supplemental security income payments under
s. 49.77, payments for the support of children of supplemental security income recipients under
s. 49.775, and health care benefits under the Badger Care health care program under
s. 49.665 and, if the department of workforce development contracts with the department of health and family services under
sub. (4), on the part of recipients of aid to families with dependent children under
s. 49.19 and participants in the Wisconsin Works program under
ss. 49.141 to
49.161. The activities of the department of health and family services under this subsection may include comparisons of information provided to the department by an applicant and information provided by the applicant to other federal, state, and local agencies, development of an advisory welfare investigation prosecution standard, and provision of funds to county departments under
ss. 46.215,
46.22, and
46.23 and to Wisconsin Works agencies to encourage activities to detect fraud. The department of health and family services shall cooperate with district attorneys regarding fraud prosecutions.
49.845(2)
(2) State error reduction activities. The department of health and family services shall conduct activities to reduce payment errors in the Medical Assistance program under
subch. IV, the food stamp program under
7 USC 2011 to
2036, the supplemental security income payments program under
s. 49.77, the program providing payments for the support of children of supplemental security income recipients under
s. 49.775, and the Badger Care health care program under
s. 49.665 and, if the department of workforce development contracts with the department of health and family services under
sub. (4), in Wisconsin Works under
ss. 49.141 to
49.161.
49.845(3)
(3) Wisconsin Works agency error reduction. If the department of workforce development contracts with the department of health and family services under
sub. (4), the department of health and family services shall provide funds from the appropriation under
s. 20.435 (4) (kz) to Wisconsin Works agencies to offset the administrative costs of reducing payment errors in Wisconsin Works under
ss. 49.141 to
49.161.
49.845(4)
(4) Contract for Wisconsin Works. Notwithstanding
s. 49.197 (1m) and
(3), the department of workforce development may contract with the department of health and family services to investigate suspected fraudulent activity on the part of recipients of aid to families with dependent children under
s. 49.19 and participants in Wisconsin Works under
ss. 49.141 to
49.161 and to conduct activities to reduce payment errors in Wisconsin Works under
ss. 49.141 to
49.161, as provided in this section.
49.845 History
History: 2005 a. 25.
49.847
49.847
Recovery of incorrect payments under certain public assistance programs. 49.847(1)
(1) Subject to
ss. 49.497 (1) and
49.793 (1), the department of health and family services, or a county or elected governing body of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band acting on behalf of the department, may recover benefits incorrectly paid under any of the programs administered by the department under this chapter.
49.847(2)
(2) The department, county, or elected governing body may recover an overpayment from a family or individual who continues to receive benefits under any program administered by the department under this chapter by reducing the family's or individual's benefit amount. Subject to
s. 49.793 (1), the department may by rule specify other methods for recovering incorrectly paid benefits.
49.847(3)
(3) Subject to
ss. 49.497 (2) and
49.793 (2), a county or elected governing body may retain a portion of an amount recovered under this section due to the efforts of an employee or officer of the county, tribe, or band, as provided by the department by rule.
49.847 History
History: 2005 a. 25.
49.847 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ch.
HFS 2, Wis. adm. code.
49.85
49.85
Certification of certain public assistance overpayments and delinquent loan repayments. 49.85(1)
(1)
Department notification requirement. If a county department under
s. 46.215,
46.22, or
46.23 or a governing body of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band determines that the department of health and family services may recover an amount under
s. 49.497,
49.793, or
49.847, or that the department of workforce development may recover an amount under
s. 49.161 or
49.195 (3) or collect an amount under
s. 49.147 (6) (cm), the county department or governing body shall notify the affected department of the determination. If a Wisconsin Works agency determines that the department of workforce development may recover an amount under
s. 49.161 or
49.195 (3), or collect an amount under
s. 49.147 (6) (cm), the Wisconsin Works agency shall notify the department of workforce development of the determination.
49.85(2)(a)(a) At least annually, the department of health and family services shall certify to the department of revenue the amounts that, based on the notifications received under
sub. (1) and on other information received by the department of health and family services, the department of health and family services has determined that it may recover under
s. 49.45 (2) (a) 10.,
49.497,
49.793, or
49.847, except that the department of health and family services may not certify an amount under this subsection unless all of the following apply:
49.85(2)(a)2.
2. The department's determination has either not been appealed or is no longer under appeal.
49.85(2)(b)
(b) At least annually, the department of workforce development shall certify to the department of revenue the amounts that, based on the notifications received under
sub. (1) and on other information received by the department of workforce development, the department of workforce development has determined that it may recover under
ss. 49.161 and
49.195 (3) and collect under
s. 49.147 (6) (cm), except that the department of workforce development may not certify an amount under this subsection unless it has met the notice requirements under
sub. (3) and unless its determination has either not been appealed or is no longer under appeal.
49.85(3)(a)(a) At least 30 days before certification of an amount, the department of health and family services shall send a notice to the last-known address of the person from whom that department intends to recover the amount. The notice shall do all of the following:
49.85(3)(a)1.
1. Inform the person that the department of health and family services intends to certify to the department of revenue an amount that the department of health and family services has determined to be due under
s. 49.45 (2) (a) 10.,
49.497,
49.793, or
49.847, for setoff from any state tax refund that may be due the person.
49.85(3)(a)2.
2. Inform the person that he or she may appeal the determination of the department of health and family services to certify the amount by requesting a hearing under
sub. (4) within 30 days after the date of the letter and inform the person of the manner in which he or she may request a hearing.
49.85(3)(a)3.
3. Inform the person that, if the determination of the department of health and family services is appealed, that department will not certify the amount to the department of revenue while the determination of the department of health and family services is under appeal.
49.85(3)(a)4.
4. Inform the person that, unless a contested case hearing is requested to appeal the determination of the department of health and family services, the person may be precluded from challenging any subsequent setoff of the certified amount by the department of revenue, except on the grounds that the certified amount has been partially or fully paid or otherwise discharged, since the date of the notice.
49.85(3)(a)5.
5. Request that the person inform the department of health and family services if a bankruptcy stay is in effect with respect to the person or if the claim has been discharged in bankruptcy.
49.85(3)(a)6.
6. Inform the person that the person may need to contact the department of revenue in order to protect the refunds of spouses who are not liable for the claim.
49.85(3)(b)
(b) At least 30 days before certification of an amount, the department of workforce development shall send a notice to the last-known address of the person from whom that department intends to recover or collect the amount. The notice shall do all of the following:
49.85(3)(b)1.
1. Inform the person that the department of workforce development intends to certify to the department of revenue an amount that the department of workforce development has determined to be due under
s. 49.161 or
49.195 (3) or to be delinquent under a repayment agreement for a loan under
s. 49.147 (6), for setoff from any state tax refund that may be due the person.
49.85(3)(b)2.
2. Inform the person that he or she may appeal the determination of the department of workforce development to certify the amount by requesting a hearing under
sub. (4) within 30 days after the date of the letter and inform the person of the manner in which he or she may request a hearing.
49.85(3)(b)3.
3. Inform the person that, if the determination of the department of workforce development is appealed, that department will not certify the amount to the department of revenue while the determination of the department of workforce development is under appeal.
49.85(3)(b)4.
4. Inform the person that, unless a contested case hearing is requested to appeal the determination of the department of workforce development, the person may be precluded from challenging any subsequent setoff of the certified amount by the department of revenue, except on the grounds that the certified amount has been partially or fully paid or otherwise discharged, since the date of the notice.
49.85(3)(b)5.
5. Request that the person inform the department of workforce development if a bankruptcy stay is in effect with respect to the person or if the claim has been discharged in bankruptcy.
49.85(3)(b)6.
6. Inform the person that the person may need to contact the department of revenue in order to protect the refunds of spouses who are not liable for the claim.
49.85(4)(a)(a) If a person has requested a hearing under this subsection, the department of health and family services shall hold a contested case hearing under
s. 227.44, except that the department of health and family services may limit the scope of the hearing to exclude issues that were presented at a prior hearing or that could have been presented at a prior opportunity for hearing.
49.85(4)(b)
(b) If a person has requested a hearing under this subsection, the department of workforce development shall hold a contested case hearing under
s. 227.44, except that the department of workforce development may limit the scope of the hearing to exclude issues that were presented at a prior hearing or that could have been presented at a prior opportunity for hearing.
49.85(5)
(5) Effect of certification. Receipt of a certification by the department of revenue shall constitute a lien, equal to the amount certified, on any state tax refunds or credits owed to the obligor. The lien shall be foreclosed by the department of revenue as a setoff under
s. 71.93. Certification of an amount under this section does not prohibit the department of health and family services or the department of workforce development from attempting to recover or collect the amount through other legal means. The department of health and family services or the department of workforce development shall promptly notify the department of revenue upon recovery or collection of any amount previously certified under this section.
49.85 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ch.
HFS 2, Wis. adm. code.
49.852
49.852
Delinquent support payments; pension plans. 49.852(1)(1) The department of workforce development may direct the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under
chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan to withhold the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b) from any lump sum payment from a pension plan that may be paid a delinquent support obligor, except that the department of workforce development may not direct that an amount be withheld under this subsection unless it has met the notice requirements under
sub. (2) and unless the amount specified has either not been appealed or is no longer under appeal under
s. 49.854.
49.852(2)
(2) The department of workforce development shall send a notice to the last-known address of the person from whom the department intends to recover the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b). The notice shall do all of the following:
49.852(2)(a)
(a) Inform the person that the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under
chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan, whichever is appropriate, shall withhold the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b) from any lump sum payment from a pension plan that may be paid the person.
49.852(2)(b)
(b) Inform the person that he or she may, within 20 business days after the date of the notice, request a court hearing on the issue of whether the person owes the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b). The request shall be in writing and the person shall mail or deliver a copy of the request to the county child support agency under
s. 59.53 (5).
49.852(2)(c)
(c) Request that the person inform the department of workforce development or the appropriate county child support agency under
s. 59.53 (5) if a bankruptcy stay is in effect with respect to the person.
49.852(3)
(3) If a person has requested a hearing pursuant to
sub. (2) (b), the hearing shall be conducted before the circuit court that rendered the initial order to pay support. The court shall schedule a hearing within 10 business days after receiving a request for a hearing. A circuit court commissioner may conduct the hearing. If the court determines that the person owes the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b), the department of workforce development may direct the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under
chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan, whichever is appropriate, to withhold the amount from any lump sum payment from a pension plan that may be paid the person. If the court determines that the person does not owe the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b), the department of workforce development may not direct the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under
chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan, whichever is appropriate, to withhold the amount from any lump sum payment from a pension plan that may be paid the person.
49.852(4)(a)(a) If the department of workforce development directs the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under
chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan to withhold the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b), this directive shall constitute a lien, equal to the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket, on any lump sum payment from a pension plan that may be paid the person.
49.852(4)(b)
(b) If the department of workforce development directs the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under
chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan to withhold the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b), the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under
chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan shall deduct from any lump sum payment that may be paid the person the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket, less any amount specified under
par. (d). If the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b), less any amount specified under
par. (d), exceeds the lump sum payment, the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under
chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan shall deduct the entire lump sum payment, less any withholdings otherwise required by law. The amount deducted under this paragraph shall be remitted to the department of workforce development.
49.852(4)(c)
(c) A directive to the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under
chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan to withhold the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b) under this section does not prohibit the department of workforce development from attempting to recover the amount through other legal means.
49.852(4)(d)
(d) The department of workforce development shall promptly notify the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under
chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan upon recovery of any amount previously specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b).
49.852 History
History: 1997 a. 191;
2001 a. 61.
49.853
49.853
Financial record matching program. 49.853(1)(a)
(a) "Account" means a demand deposit account, checking or negotiable withdrawal order account, savings account, time deposit account or money market mutual fund account.
49.853(1)(b)
(b) "Department" means the department of workforce development.
49.853(1)(c)
(c) "Financial institution" means any of the following:
49.853(1)(c)5.
5. A benefit association, insurance company, safe deposit company, money market mutual fund or similar entity authorized to do business in this state.
