Wisconsin Works (W-2) Overview
A Place for Everyone, a System of Employment Supports
Wisconsin Works (W-2) replaced Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) in September, 1997. W-2 is based on work participation and personal responsibility.
Under W-2, there is no entitlement to assistance, but there is a place for everyone who meets eligibility requirements and is willing to work to their ability. The program is available to low-income parents with minor children. Each W-2 eligible participant meets with a Financial and Employment Planner (FEP), who helps the individual develop a self-sufficiency plan and determine his or her place on the W-2 employment ladder. The ladder consists of four levels of employment and training options, in order of preference:
1. Unsubsidized Employment: Individuals applying for W-2 are first guided to the best available job opportunity. The W-2 agency supports the participant's efforts to secure employment through job search assistance. Once employed, participants may receive additional W-2 services to help them adjust to their new work environment and build skills that promote career advancement opportunities. Individuals in unsubsidized employment may be eligible for the state and federal Earned Income Credit, FoodShare, Medicaid, child care assistance to work or attend training, and Job Access Loans. The unsubsidized employment non-payment placements include Case Management Unsubsidized Employment (CMU) and Case Management Follow-up (CMF).
2. Trial Jobs (Subsidized Employment): Individuals who have the basic skills, but lack sufficient work experience to meet employer requirements, may be placed in a Trial Job. Through a Trial Job contract, the employer agrees to provide the participant with on-the-job work experience and training in exchange for a wage subsidy. Trial Jobs are expected to result in permanent employment. The employer must pay the participant a wage comparable to regular employees in similarly classified positions. Trial Job participants may be eligible for the state and federal Earned Income Credit, FoodShare, Medicaid, child care assistance, and Job Access Loans.3. Community Service Jobs (CSJs): CSJs are developed for individuals who lack the basic skills and work habits needed in a regular job environment. CSJ positions offer real work training opportunities, but with the added supervision and support needed to help the participant succeed. CSJ participants receive a monthly grant of $673 for up to 30 hours per week in work training activities and up to 10 hours a week in education or training. Individuals who are employed part-time, but have personal barriers that prevent them from increasing their work hours, may be placed in a part-time CSJ position with prorated benefits. Under certain circumstances, CSJ participants may be eligible to meet their participation requirements through a combination of 25 hours of work training activities and up to 15 hours of class time in a technical college program. In addition to a cash grant, CSJ participants may be eligible for FoodShare, Medicaid, child care assistance, and Job Access Loans.
4. W-2 Transition (W-2 T): W-2 T is reserved for those individuals who, because of severe barriers, are unable to perform independent, self-sustaining work. W-2 T participants receive a monthly grant of $628 for up to 28 hours per week of participation in work training or other employment-related activities; and up to 12 hours per week in education and training. Under certain circumstances, W-2 T participants may be eligible to meet their participation requirements through a combination of 25 hours of work training activities and up to 15 hours of class time in a technical college program. In addition to a cash grant, W-2 T participants may be eligible for FoodShare, Medicaid, child care assistance, and Job Access Loans.
While placements on one of the four rungs of the W-2 ladder are only available to eligible custodial parents, noncustodial parents, minor parents and pregnant women may be eligible for an array of case management services. In addition, a custodial parent of an infant 12 weeks old or younger may be eligible for a $673 W-2 cash benefit.
Time Limits
W-2 participants are limited to 24 months in a single employment position category (Trial Jobs, CSJs, or W-2 T.) The maximum lifetime limit is 60 months. Extensions may be available on a limited basis when barriers exist that prevent employment.
Employment Supports
A major part of W-2 consists of the related support services and features designed to facilitate access to and sustain employment.
- Job Centers combine job search, job opportunities, education, training, and W-2 services in one location. This promotes integrated access to many related services.
- Local Children's Services Networks and Community Steering Committees organize community leaders to coordinate resources leading to self-sufficiency.
- Child Support partial or full payments are provided to W-2 custodial parents with the CS amount determined by each case situation. Child support (CS) received does not cause a reduction of the W-2 benefit payment.
- Wisconsin Shares Child Care is available to most low-income working families. Families pay a co-payment based on their income.
- Job Access Loans (JALs) are available to help families meet immediate financial needs that may prevent them from working--like car repairs and personal emergencies.
- Transportation Assistance ensures that parents can get their children to day care and themselves to work.
- Health
Care is available through
Medicaid/BadgerCare.
- Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program
offers employment placement/retention, job training and education-related training services. Services are available to both adults and youth and are delivered through the Job Centers.