Wisconsin Works (W-2)
Fact Finding Review
Wisconsin Works (W-2) provides a Fact Finding Review process to resolve disputes for applicants or participants who believe the W-2 agency made an incorrect decision regarding This includes decisions regarding all W-2 services including Learnfare, Job Access Loans, and Emergency Assistance.
W-2 Agency Fact Finding Review
The applicant/participant who disagrees with the agency’s decision must contact the W-2 agency and request a Fact Finding within 45 days from the date of the CARES decision notice, or within 45 days from the effective date on the CARES notice, whichever is later. The W-2 agency will schedule a Fact Finding Review within eight days of receiving the request. The Fact Finding Review is an informal meeting to help resolve issues regarding the W-2 agency’s decision. An impartial reviewer, called the Fact Finder, will:
- Meet with both the applicant/participant and an agency representative;
- Listen to each side;
- Review the information; and
- Give all parties a written decision based on state law and W-2 policies.
A representative for the applicant/participant may attend the Fact Finding Review. Any written documentation that may support the claim should be provided. The fact finder will issue a written decision within five (5) work days after the Fact Finding Review date.
The W-2 agency will deny a Fact Finding request unless it is for one of the allowed reasons below:
- Denial of a W-2, Emergency Assistance, or Job Access Loan application;
- The agency did not act on a W-2 application within 30 calendar days;
- The agency did not act on a Job Access Loan application within 12 working days;
- The agency did not act on an Emergency Assistance application within 5 working days;
- The petitioner disagrees with any of the following:
- The Emergency Assistance amount;
- The W-2 employment position placement;
- The W-2 payment was ended or reduced;
- The W-2 payment was subject to an overpayment;
- The denial of a Child Support Good Cause request.
If there is disagreement with the W-2 agency's Fact Finding decision, a second level Departmental Review may be requested by writing to the Department of Administration, Division of Hearings and Appeals (DHA). The written request must be received by DHA within 21 days from the Fact Finding Notice of Decision date. The W-2 Agency Fact Finding Review must be completed to request a Departmental Review.
For W-2 Fact Finding and Departmental Review policy, see the W-2 Manual, Chapter 19.