Division of Family and Economic Security, Bureau of Working Families

Emergency Assistance Manual

2.6.3 Homelessness

Applicants may be eligible for EAEAEmergency Assistance when experiencing an emergency due to homelessness when the EA GroupThe primary person and any individuals living in his or her household whose income and/or needs are considered when determining eligibility for benefits.: 

  • Needs funds to obtain permanent housing; and 
  • Meets one of the following criteria: 
    • The EA Group is living in a place that is not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation (examples include, but are not limited to, cars, public hallways, parks, bus stations, and building entrances); 
    • The EA Group is living in a temporary accommodation (see 2.6.3.1); 
    • The EA Group lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; 
    • The EA Group has left the current housing situation because the housing is uninhabitable (see 2.6.3.2); or 
    • A member of the EA Group has experienced domestic abuse (see 2.6.3.3). 

When the criteria for an emergency due to homelessness are met, EA eligibility does not require a financial crisis.

2.6.3.1 Temporary Living Accommodations

An EA Group may be considered homeless if their current residence is a temporary living accommodation. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Motels;
  • Hotels;
  • Emergency/homeless shelter facilities; or 
  • “Doubled-up” housing. 

When determining if the EA Group is living in a temporary accommodation, the W-2W-2Wisconsin Works agency must consider the specific circumstances of the situation. 

2.6.3.1.1 Motels and Hotels

Motels are generally considered to be a temporary living accommodation, but some motels offer a monthly lease and can serve as permanent housing. The EA Group’s intent to stay in a motel or hotel long term does not indicate that it is permanent housing unless documentation is provided that states it is a permanent housing situation.   

2.6.3.1.2 Doubled-up Housing

A family living in a “doubled-up”, or shared, housing arrangement may also be considered homeless. For EA purposes, an EA Group residing in doubled-up housing generally meets the homelessness definition when the EA Group meets all of the following criteria: 

  1. Is not on the lease/mortgage (in cases where the “host” family has a lease/mortgage); 
  2. Is using the doubled-up housing as a short-term housing solution and would otherwise be homeless; and 
  3. Has been residing in doubled-up housing for 180 consecutive days or less. 

EXAMPLE 1:  Wayne and his children moved in with his sister seven months ago. Wayne is not on the lease and would like to find housing of his own for himself and his three children. Wayne and his children have been residing with his sister for more than 180 days. Therefore, Wayne is not eligible for EA, and the W-2 agency should work with Wayne to provide him with referrals to other housing and emergency resources.

EXAMPLE 2: Crystal and her son, Justin lived with Crystal’s boyfriend, Tom. Two weeks ago, Tom kicked them out of the apartment. Crystal and Justin are staying with Crystal’s friend Belinda. Crystal is eligible for EA, as she and her son have been residing in doubled-up housing for less than 180 days and would otherwise be homeless.

2.6.3.2 Homelessness due to Uninhabitable Housing

An EA Group may be considered homeless due to uninhabitable housing if the EA Group has left their current housing because it is determined to be uninhabitable by:

  • The local building inspector; 
  • The local health department; or 
  • Another appropriate local authority, such as the local Community Action Program agency. 

The W-2 agency is not considered an appropriate authority to determine that housing is uninhabitable. 

2.6.3.3 Homelessness due to Domestic Abuse

An EA Group may be considered homeless due to domestic abuse if a member of the group was subject to domestic abuse as defined under Wis. Stat. s. 968.075(1)(a).   

Wis. Stat. s. 968.075(1)(a) defines domestic abuse to mean any of the following engaged in by an adult person against his or her spouse or former spouse, against an adult with whom the person resides or formerly resided, or against an adult with whom the person has a child in common: 

  1. Intentional infliction of physical pain, physical injury, or illness; 
  2. Intentional impairment of physical condition; 
  3. Sexual assault as defined in Wis. Stat. s. 940.225(1), (2) or (3); or 
  4. A physical act that may cause the other person reasonably to fear imminent engagement in the conducts described in the previous three items.