49.159
49.159
Wisconsin works; noncustodial and minor and other custodial parents. 49.159(1)
(1)
Noncustodial parents. An individual who would be eligible under
s. 49.145 except that the individual is the noncustodial parent of a dependent child, is eligible for services under this subsection if the dependent child's custodial parent is a participant and if the individual is subject to a child support order. The Wisconsin works agency may provide job search assistance and case management designed to enable eligible noncustodial parents to obtain and retain employment.
49.159(2)
(2) Minor custodial parents. financial and employment counseling. A custodial parent who is under the age of 18 is eligible, regardless of that individual's or that individual's parent's income or assets, to meet with a financial and employment planner. The financial and employment planner may provide the individual with information regarding Wisconsin works eligibility, available child care services, employment and financial planning, family planning services, community resources, eligibility for food stamps and other food and nutrition programs.
49.159(3)
(3) Other custodial parents. A custodial parent in a Wisconsin works group in which the other custodial parent is a participant in a Wisconsin works employment position is eligible for employment training and job search assistance services provided by the Wisconsin works agency.
49.159(4)
(4) Pregnant women. A pregnant woman whose pregnancy is medically verified who would be eligible under
s. 49.145 except that she is not a custodial parent of a dependent child is eligible for employment training and job search assistance services provided by the Wisconsin works agency.
49.159 History
History: 1995 a. 289.
49.161
49.161
Wisconsin works; overpayments. 49.161(1)
(1)
Trial jobs overpayments. Notwithstanding
s. 49.96, the department shall recover an overpayment of benefits paid under
s. 49.148 (1) (a) from an individual who receives or has received benefits paid under
s. 49.148 (1) (a). The value of the benefit liable for recovery under this subsection may not exceed the amount that the department paid in wage subsidies with respect to that participant while the participant was ineligible to participate. The department shall promulgate rules establishing policies and procedures for administrating this subsection.
49.161(2)
(2) Community service jobs and transitional placements overpayments. Except as provided in
sub. (3), the department shall recover an overpayment of benefits paid under
s. 49.148 (1) (b) and
(c) from an individual who continues to receive benefits under
s. 49.148 (1) (b) and
(c) by reducing the amount of the individual's benefit payment by no more than 10%.
49.161(3)
(3) Overpayments caused by intentional program violations. If an overpayment under
sub. (1) or
(2) is the result of an intentional violation of
ss. 49.141 to
49.161 or of rules promulgated by the department under those sections, the department shall recover the overpayment by deducting an amount from the benefits received under
s. 49.148 (1) (a),
(b) or
(c), until the overpayment is recovered. The amount to be deducted each month may not exceed the following:
49.161(3)(a)
(a) For intentional program violations resulting in an overpayment that is less than $300, 10% of the amount of the monthly benefit payment.
49.161(3)(b)
(b) For intentional program violations resulting in an overpayment that is at least $300 but less than $1,000, $75.
49.161(3)(c)
(c) For intentional program violations resulting in an overpayment that is at least $1,000 but less than $2,500, $100.
49.161(3)(d)
(d) For intentional program violations resulting in an overpayment that is $2,500 or more, $200.
49.161 History
History: 1995 a. 289.
49.185
49.185
Employment skills advancement program. 49.185(1)(c)
(c) "Family" means an individual who is a custodial parent, all dependent children with respect to whom the individual is a custodial parent and all dependent children with respect to whom the individual's dependent child is a custodial parent. "Family" includes any nonmarital coparent, as defined in
s. 49.141 (1) (i), or any spouse of the individual who resides in the same household as the individual and any dependent children with respect to whom the spouse or nonmarital coparent is a custodial parent. "Family" does not include any person who is receiving benefits under
s. 49.027 (3) (b).
49.185(2)
(2) Grants. A person contracting with the department under
sub. (4) may make an employment skills advancement grant of up to $500 to an individual eligible under
sub. (3) for tuition, books, transportation or other direct costs of training or education in a vocational training or education program.
49.185(3)
(3) Eligibility. An individual is eligible for an employment skills advancement grant only if all of the following eligibility requirements are met:
49.185(3)(a)
(a) The training or education is approved by the person contracting with the department under
sub. (4) as part of a career training or education plan that will lead to increased income.
49.185(3)(b)
(b) The individual is at least 18 years of age and is a custodial parent of a minor child.
49.185(3)(c)
(c) The individual has been determined eligible for aid under
s. 49.19 or for a Wisconsin works employment position under
s. 49.145 within 5 years before applying for a grant.
49.185(3)(d)
(d) The individual has been employed in an unsubsidized job for at least 9 consecutive months before applying for a grant.
49.185(3)(e)
(e) The individual is working an average of at least 40 hours per week, unless the employer and the person contracting with the department under
sub. (4) agree that the person may work fewer hours.
49.185(3)(f)
(f) The assets of the individual's family do not exceed $2,500 in combined equity value, excluding the equity value of vehicles up to a total equity value of $10,000 and one home in which the family lives.
49.185(3)(g)
(g) The income of the individual's family does not exceed 165% of the poverty line.
49.185(3)(h)
(h) The individual has sought other forms of assistance, as required by the department.
49.185(3)(i)
(i) The individual contributes an amount at least equal to the amount of the grant, and obtains funding from other sources in an amount at least equal to the amount of the grant, for tuition, books, transportation or other direct costs of the training or education.
49.185(3)(j)
(j) The amount of the grant plus the amount of any grant that that individual has previously received under this section does not exceed $500.
49.185(4)
(4) Administration. The department may contract with any person to administer the program under this section. The department shall contract with one person to administer the program in each area of the state, as determined by the department.
49.185(5)
(5) Applicability. This section applies beginning on the first day of the 6th month beginning after the date stated in the notice under
s. 49.141 (2) (d).
49.185 History
History: 1995 a. 289.
49.19
49.19
Aid to families with dependent children. 49.19(1)(a)(a) In this section, "dependent child" means a child under the age of 18 or, if the child is a full-time student at a secondary school or its vocational or technical equivalent and is reasonably expected to complete the program before reaching 19, is under the age of 19, who:
49.19(1)(a)1.
1. Has been deprived of parental support or care by reason of the death, continued absence from the home other than absence occasioned solely by reason of the performance of active duty in the uniformed services of the United States, unemployment or incapacity of a parent; and
49.19(1)(a)2.a.a. Is living with a parent; a blood relative, including those of half-blood, and including first cousins, nephews or nieces and persons of preceding generations as denoted by prefixes of grand, great or great-great; a stepfather, stepmother, stepbrother or stepsister; a person who legally adopts the child or is the adoptive parent of the child's parent, a natural or legally adopted child of such person or a relative of an adoptive parent; or a spouse of any person named in this subparagraph even if the marriage is terminated by death or divorce; and is living in a residence maintained by one or more of these relatives as the child's or their own home, or living in a residence maintained by one or more of these relatives as the child's or their own home because the parents of the child have been found unfit to have care and custody of the child; or
49.19(1)(a)2.b.
b. Is living in a foster home or treatment foster home licensed under
s. 48.62 if a license is required under that section, in a foster home or treatment foster home located within the boundaries of a federally recognized American Indian reservation in this state and licensed by the tribal governing body of the reservation, in a group home licensed under
s. 48.625 or in a child-caring institution licensed under
s. 48.60, and has been placed in the foster home, treatment foster home, group home or institution by a county department under
s. 46.215,
46.22 or
46.23, by the department of health and family services, by the department of corrections or by a federally recognized American Indian tribal governing body in this state under an agreement with a county department.
49.19(1)(b)
(b) Any individual may apply for aid to families with dependent children and shall have opportunity to do so. Application for aid shall be made on forms prescribed by the department. Any person having knowledge that any child is dependent upon the public for proper support or that the interest of the public requires that such child be granted aid may bring the facts to the notice of an agency administering such aid in the county in which the child resides.
49.19(1)(c)1.1. "Aid to families with dependent children" means money payments with respect to, or vendor payments as prescribed by the department, or medical care in behalf of or any type of remedial care recognized under
subs. (1) to
(10) or
s. 49.46 or necessary burial expenses as defined in
sub. (5) in behalf of a dependent child or dependent children.
49.19(1)(c)2.
2. "Aid to families with dependent children" also includes such aid to meet the needs of the relative with whom any dependent child is living and the spouse of the relative if:
49.19(1)(c)2.a.
a. The spouse is living with the relative, the relative is the child's parent and the child is a dependent child by reason of the physical or mental incapacity of a parent; or
49.19(1)(c)2.b.
b. The spouse is a convicted offender permitted to live at home but precluded from earning a wage because the spouse is required by a court imposed sentence to perform unpaid public work or unpaid community service.
49.19(1)(c)3.
3. "Aid to families with dependent children" also includes payments made to another individual not a relative enumerated under
par. (a), pursuant to federal regulations, if:
49.19(1)(c)3.a.
a. The individual has been appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction as a legal representative of the dependent child; or
49.19(1)(c)3.b.
b. The individual who may be a caseworker has been designated by the county department under
s. 46.215 or
46.22 to receive payment of the aid or cash payments to recipients who are engaged in an approved work relief or training project.
49.19(1)(d)
(d) The rate of payment for skilled nursing care provided under this section shall be determined by the county under guidelines established by the department pursuant to
s. 49.45 (6m). Payment for limited care shall not exceed 90% of the applicable Title XIX skilled care rate. Payment for personal care shall not exceed 80% of the applicable Title XIX skilled care rate.
49.19(2)(a)(a) A home visit may be made at the option of the county to investigate the circumstances of the child before granting aid. The department may, however, require a county to make a home visit for this purpose if the department finds that a need exists. A report upon a home visit shall be made in writing and become a part of the record in the case. Every applicant shall be promptly notified in writing of the disposition of his or her application. Aid shall be furnished with reasonable promptness to any eligible individual.
49.19(2)(am)
(am) A county department under
s. 46.215,
46.22 or
46.23 may not accept a rent receipt to verify the residence of an applicant for or recipient of aid under this section unless the receipt shows the name, address and home and business telephone numbers of the landlord or the landlord's designee.
49.19(2)(b)
(b) Recipients of aid under this section shall, as a condition for continued receipt of the aid, provide accurate monthly reports of any circumstances which may affect their eligibility or the amount of assistance. The department shall promulgate rules selecting categories of recipients who may report less frequently in order to reduce administrative expense and shall specify monthly dates by which reports shall be submitted.
49.19(2)(c)
(c) An alien shall provide the department with reports the department requires to determine eligibility and the amount of aid, including reports about the alien's sponsor.
49.19(2)(d)
(d) Eligibility for aid to families with dependent children for any month shall be based on estimated income, resources, family size and other similar relevant circumstances during that month. The amount of aid for any month shall be based on income and other relevant circumstances in the first or, at the option of the department, the 2nd month preceding such a month, except that the amount of aid in the first month or, at the option of the department, the first and 2nd months of a period of consecutive months for which aid is payable is based on estimated income and other relevant circumstances in such first month or first and 2nd months. The department may promulgate rules establishing payment and reporting months as needed to administer this paragraph.
49.19(2)(p)
(p) Any person who has conveyed, transferred or disposed of any asset that would be included in determining the value of assets under
sub. (4) (bm) within 2 years prior to the date of making application, or of redetermination of eligibility, for benefits under this section at less than fair market value shall, unless shown to the contrary, be presumed to have made the transfer, conveyance or disposition in contemplation of receiving benefits under this section and shall be ineligible to receive the benefits thereafter until the uncompensated value of the asset is expended by or on behalf of the person for his or her maintenance needs, including needs for medical care. The department shall promulgate rules for the administration of this paragraph. This paragraph shall apply to the extent permitted under federal law.
49.19(3)(a)(a) After the investigation and report and a finding of eligibility, aid as defined in
sub. (1) shall be granted by the county department under
s. 46.215 or
46.22 as the best interest of the child requires. No such aid shall be furnished any person for any period during which that person is receiving supplemental security income or for any month if, on the last day of the month, that person is participating in a strike or to any person who fails to apply for or provide such social security account numbers as required by federal law.
49.19(3)(b)
(b) If the county department under
s. 46.215 or
46.22 finds a person eligible for aid under this section, that county department shall, on a form to be prescribed by the department, direct the payment of such aid by order upon the state treasurer. Payment of aid shall be made monthly, based on a calendar month or fiscal month as defined by the department; except that the director of the county department may, in his or her discretion for the purpose of protecting the public, direct that the monthly allowance be paid in accordance with
sub. (5) (c).
49.19(4)
(4) The aid shall be granted only upon the following conditions:
49.19(4)(a)
(a) There must be a dependent child who is living with the person charged with its care and custody and dependent upon the public for proper support. Aid may also be granted for minors other than to those specified, but not for a dependent child 18 years of age or older who is living in a home or institution specified under
sub. (1) (a) 2. b.
49.19(4)(b)
(b) The person applying for aid has allowed the county department under
s. 46.215 or
46.22 15 to 30 days to process his or her application and, if not already a resident of the county, has notified the county department under
s. 46.215 or
46.22 of his or her intent to establish residence in the county. The effective date of eligibility for aid to eligible individuals is the date the applicant submits a signed and completed application to the county department under
s. 46.215 or
46.22, or the first date on which the applicant meets all of the eligibility criteria, whichever is later.
49.19(4)(bm)
(bm) The person applying for aid shall document, to the department's satisfaction, actual income as claimed in the application, and shall reveal all assets. Except as specified in
par. (br), aid is available only if the combined equity value of assets does not exceed $1,000. One automobile with an equity value not exceeding $1,500, one home, as specified in
par. (e), and, for each person, one burial plot and one burial agreement under
s. 445.125 (1) (a) 2. and
3. with a value of not more than $1,500 may not be included when determining the combined equity value of assets. Any amount received under section
32 of the internal revenue code, as defined in
s. 71.01 (6), and any payment made by an employer under section
3507 of the internal revenue code, as defined in
s. 71.01 (6), may not be included in determining the combined equity value of assets in the month of receipt and the following month.
Effective date note
NOTE: Par. (bm) is shown as amended eff. 6-1-97 by
1995 Wis. Act 295. Prior to 6-1-97 it reads:
Effective date text
(bm) The person applying for aid shall document, to the department's satisfaction, actual income as claimed in the application, and shall reveal all assets. Except as specified in par. (br), aid is available only if the combined equity value of assets does not exceed $1,000. One automobile with an equity value not exceeding $1,500, one home, as specified in par. (e), and, for each person, one burial plot and one burial agreement under s. 445.125 (1) (b) and (c) with a value of not more than $1,500 may not be included when determining the combined equity value of assets. Any amount received under section 32 of the internal revenue code, as defined in s. 71.01 (6), and any payment made by an employer under section 3507 of the internal revenue code, as defined in s. 71.01 (6), may not be included in determining the combined equity value of assets in the month of receipt and the following month.
49.19(4)(br)
(br) Aid may be paid for up to 9 months to an otherwise eligible owner of real property other than that specified under
par. (bm) and that real property may be excluded as an asset for up to 9 months if all of the following conditions are met:
49.19(4)(br)1.
1. The owner enters into a signed, written agreement with the county department under
s. 46.215 or
46.22 that he or she shall make a good faith effort to sell the real property and repay the amount of aid granted during the asset exclusion period up to the amount of net proceeds of the sale of the real property.
49.19(4)(br)2.
2. The net proceeds of the sale of the real property plus the combined equity value of all other countable assets exceed $1,000 on the date of the agreement made under
subd. 1.
49.19(4)(bu)1.1. The department shall request a waiver from the secretary of the federal department of health and human services to allow a recipient of aid under this section to accumulate funds in an education and employability account, as described in
subd. 2., the first $10,000 in which is not considered against the amount of assets that a recipient is allowed to own under
par. (bm). If the waiver is granted, the department shall promulgate rules to implement the waiver and shall implement the waiver beginning no sooner than January 1, 1995.
Subdivision 2. does not apply unless the waiver is in effect.
49.19(4)(bu)2.
2. The department may authorize a person to establish an education and employability account at a financial institution, as defined in
s. 705.01 (3), after the person is determined to be eligible for aid under this section. The first $10,000 in the account is not considered against the asset limit if the person provides to the county department under
s. 46.215,
46.22 or
46.23, at the time of establishing the account and at other times required by the department, a signed statement identifying the financial institution, the account number of the account and the amount in the account. Interest earned on the account and retained in the account is not considered income under this section. Money withdrawn from the education and employability account will be considered income in the month that it is withdrawn unless it is used for one of the following purposes:
49.19(4)(bu)2.a.
a. The recipient's own education or training or the education or training of his or her child.
49.19(4)(by)
(by) No later than September 1, 1992, the department shall request a waiver from the secretary of the federal department of health and human services under which the equity value of automobiles with a total equity value of not more than $2,500 would not be included when determining the combined equity value of assets under
par. (bm). If the waiver is granted, the equity value of automobiles with a total equity value of not more than $2,500 shall not be included when determining the combined equity value of assets under
par. (bm), rather than one automobile with an equity value not exceeding $1,500.
49.19(4)(c)
(c) The person having the care and custody of the dependent child must be fit and proper to have the child. Aid shall not be denied by the county department under
s. 46.215 or
46.22 on the grounds that a person is not fit and proper to have the care and custody of the child until the county department obtains a finding substantiating that fact from a court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under
chs. 48 and
938 or other court of competent jurisdiction; but in appropriate cases it is the responsibility of the county department to petition under
ch. 48 or refer the case to a proper child protection agency.
49.19(4)(d)
(d) Aid may be granted to the mother or stepmother of a dependent child if she is without a husband or if she:
49.19(4)(d)1.
1. Is the wife of a husband who is incapacitated for gainful work by mental or physical disability; or
49.19(4)(d)2.
2. Is the wife of a husband who is incarcerated or who is a convicted offender permitted to live at home but precluded from earning a wage because the husband is required by a court imposed sentence to perform unpaid public work or unpaid community service; or
49.19(4)(d)3.
3. Is the wife of a husband who has been committed to the department pursuant to
ch. 975, irrespective of the probable period of such commitment; or
49.19(4)(d)4.
4. Is the wife of a husband who has continuously abandoned or failed to support her, if proceedings have been commenced against the husband under
ch. 769; or
49.19(4)(d)5.
5. Has been divorced and is without a husband or legally separated from her husband and is unable through use of the provisions of law to compel her former husband to adequately support the child for whom aid is sought; or
49.19(4)(d)6.
6. Has commenced an action for divorce or legal separation and obtained a temporary order for support under
s. 767.23 which order is either insufficient to adequately meet the needs of the child or cannot be enforced through the provisions of law; or
49.19(4)(d)7.
7. Has obtained an order under
s. 767.08 from the court to compel support, which order is either insufficient to adequately meet the needs of the child or cannot be enforced through the provisions of law; or
