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Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Wisconsin Works (W-2) Manual |
7.2.3.1 Unsubsidized Employment Documentation and Verification
7.2.3.2 Case Management Services for CMF and CMF+ Participants
7.2.3.3 Job Loss and Reduction in Hours in CMF and CMF+
7.2.3.4 CMF and CMF+ Eligibility Requirements
7.2.3.5 Case Management Follow-up Plus (CMF+)
7.2.3.5.1 Supplemental Payments
7.2.3.5.2 Minimum Work Requirements
7.2.3.5.3 Documentation, Verification, and Eligibility Reviews
7.2.3.5.4 Participation Limits
7.2.3.5.5 State and Federal Lifetime Limits
The purpose of the case management follow-up service placements, CMF and CMF+, is to support participants to stay employed and advance in their career after they find unsubsidized employment.
W-2 agencies must provide up to 12 consecutive months of follow-up services to individuals who find employment while in W-2. W-2 case management follow-up services can be provided without an additional financial eligibility test. (See 7.2.3.4)
The following table outlines eligibility for the case management follow-up service placements based on an individual’s W-2 placement and employment status.
|
Placement |
W-2 Applicants |
W-2 Participants |
| CMF (Case Management Follow-Up) |
Yes – if the applicant finds unsubsidized employment through up-front job search. |
Yes – if the participant finds unsubsidized employment while in one of the following placements: · TEMP (TMP and TNP); · CSJ; · W-2 T; · CMC; or · CMJ. |
| CMF+ (Case Management Follow-Up Plus) |
No |
Yes – if the participant meets minimum work hours and finds unsubsidized employment while in one of the following placements: · TMP; · CSJ; or · W-2 T. |
CARES will close CMF or CMF+ cases at the end of 12 months. If a CMF or CMF+ placement lasts less than 12 months, the FEP must document the reason(s) in PIN comments.
If a participant wishes to receive case management follow-up services beyond the 12 consecutive months allowable in a CMF and CMF+ placement, the FEP may change the participant’s placement to CMU if the participant meets financial and nonfinancial eligibility requirements.
Individuals are eligible for CMF services if they gained unsubsidized employment while:
· Placed in one of the following paid W-2 placements— TEMP (TMP and TNP), CSJ, W-2 T, or CMC;
· Placed in a CMJ placement; or
· An applicant in an up-front job search.
When a participant reports starting a new job, the FEP should use the participant’s verbal statement to:
1. Update the placement to CMF;
2. Revise the EP; and
3. Assign appropriate case management activities.
While waiting for verification, the FEP must collect the following employment details from the participant:
· Employer name and address;
· Expected start date;
· Hourly wage;
· Expected weekly hours; and
· Any additional relevant employment information.
All verified and unverified information must be recorded on the WWP Work History page and the CWW Employment page. Once verification for unverified employment information is received, the FEP must update both systems to reflect the verified employment.
See the following table for placement guidance based on employment hours and barriers.
|
Scenario |
Typically Appropriate Placements |
| Participant is working 30 hours or more per week in unsubsidized employment. | CMF |
| Participant is working in unsubsidized employment and meets the minimum work hours for their family type. | CMF+ (see 7.2.3.5.2) |
| Participant is working less than 30 hours per week in unsubsidized employment and has barriers to increasing their work hours. | Prorated CSJ (see 7.4.1.5) |
| EXAMPLE: Christina and her husband Jordan receive Wisconsin Shares. Christina is in a CSJ placement and Jordan is attending classes to complete his general education diploma. Christina has a history of employment; however, she has been out of the workforce in the last year due to pregnancy complications. Christina has a high school diploma and valid driver’s license with access to a vehicle. Christina is interested in nursing and the FEP refers Christina for CNA job skills training. Christina successfully obtains her CNA license and secures a position as a CNA working 35 hours per week at $15 per hour. The FEP completes an informal assessment and determines that a CMF placement works for Christina. Christina is not eligible for the CMF+ placement because working 35 hours per week does not meet the minimum work hours of 55 hours per week for her family type. |
The W-2 agency must offer case management follow-up services for up to 12 consecutive months. During the 12-month period, the FEP must:
1. Provide individualized services to support job retention and career advancement; and
2. Maintain regular contact with the participant, in their preferred format, at least once each month.
Activities provided through case management services may include:
· Job Retention Services (JR);
· Literacy Skills (LS);
· Vocational Literacy Skills (VL);
· Vocational Adult Basic Education (VA);
· English as a Second Language (EL);
· Vocational English as a Second Language (VE);
· Adult Basic Education (BE);
· General Educational Development (GE); and
· High School Equivalency Diploma (HE).
If a CMF or CMF+ participant loses their job or experiences a reduction in work hours, the FEP must reassess the individual’s circumstances to determine whether additional barriers exist.
FEPs should use the following table when determining the best placement for a CMF or CMF+ participant who experiences a job loss or reduction in hours.
|
A CMF or CMF+ Participant |
Additional Barriers are Identified |
Appropriate Placement* |
| Is ready to obtain additional employment. | No | CMJ (See 7.2.4) |
| Has a reduction in work hours that results in the individual being unable to meet the minimum work hours for the family type. | No | CMF |
| Has a reduction in work hours that results in less than 30 hours per week. | Yes – Assign activities specifically designed to help the participant increase their work hours or obtain full-time employment. | Prorated CSJ (See 7.4.1.4) |
| Loses their job. |
Yes – Offer a formal assessment and provide appropriate services based on the participant’s needs. |
TEMP, CSJ, or W-2 T |
*These are typically appropriate placements. FEPs must discuss placement determinations with the participant and consider their individual needs and employment goals.
Note: In order for a participant to move from a CMF or CMF+ placement to a TEMP, CSJ, prorated CSJ, W-2 T, or CMJ placement, the participant must meet all financial and nonfinancial eligibility requirements.
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EXAMPLE 1: Barbara is in a CMF placement and has been working full-time for 90 days as a cashier. Barbara informs her FEP that her work hours have been reduced to part-time. The FEP verifies that Barbara’s hours have been reduced to part-time due to the end of the holiday season. The FEP meets with Barbara, completes an informal assessment, and determines that she meets nonfinancial and financial eligibility to move from a CMF placement to a prorated CSJ placement. Barbara enjoys working with customers and would like to work as a receptionist. The FEP places Barbara in a 1/2 CSJ placement and assigns activities that will help her find other full-time employment, including a workshop on data entry. The FEP arranges for Barbara to attend the on-site computer lab on her off hours to work on her typing skills. The FEP provides Barbara with information on an upcoming job fair hiring for various entry-level positions and contacts Barbara every other week to discuss her progress. |
| EXAMPLE 2: Monique is in a CMF placement and began a new job as a CNA. Monique was placed on second shift and is scheduled to work every other weekend. After 30 days, Monique contacts her FEP and explains that her hours have reduced from 40 hours per week to 24 hours per week. The FEP schedules Monique for an appointment and requests that she bring her paystubs. Monique attends her appointment and submits paystubs showing an average of 25 hours worked per week. They discuss the situation and Monique explains that she requested not to be scheduled in the weekend rotation. After completing an informal assessment, the FEP determines that Monique has no new barriers to increasing her work hours and the CMF placement is still the best fit for Monique’s circumstances. |
Participants may transition from a paid placement to CMF or CMF+ if they find unsubsidized employment and continue to meet all nonfinancial eligibility requirements. A financial eligibility test is not necessary when determining CMF and CMF+ eligibility.
| EXAMPLE 1: Caitlyn has one child and was in a CSJ placement for four months before starting a new job that pays $10 an hour for 40 hours per week. Based on her W-2 Group size and income level, Caitlyn continues to meet all of the nonfinancial eligibility requirements (see 2.2.1) and is therefore eligible for case management follow-up services. At her EP appointment, the FEP verifies Caitlyn’s employment and wages and changes her placement to CMF. |
| EXAMPLE 2: Ben has custody of his two minor children, has been working as a mechanic for six months, and is in a CMF placement. During Ben’s six-month eligibility review conducted over the phone, Ben tells the FEP that his former spouse regained custody of both children last month. Because Ben no longer meets the W-2 nonfinancial eligibility requirements, Ben’s FEP ends Ben’s CMF placement, closes his W-2 case, disenrolls him from WWP Work Programs, and enters in PIN comments the reason why Ben’s CMF placement is less than 12 months. |
The CMF+ placement is for participants who:
1. Find employment while in one of the following W-2 employment positions: TMP, CSJ, or W-2 T; and
2. Meet the minimum work requirements. (See 7.2.3.5.2)
Participants who were previously in CMC, CMJ, or CMU and find employment are not eligible for CMF+, but may be eligible for CMF.
Participants who are in CMF and increase their work hours to meet the minimum work requirements may be eligible for CMF+ if their placement preceding CMF is a TMP, CSJ, or W-2 T.
A participant placed in CMF+ receives follow-up services and a monthly $50 supplemental payment. (See 7.2.3.5.1)
Supplemental payments are provided as a monthly payment to W-2 participants who are working in unsubsidized employment for a minimum number of work hours and are in a CMF+ placement. (See 7.2.3.5.2)
A participant must be in the CMF+ placement for one full W-2 participation period from the 16th of a month to the 15th of the next month in order to be eligible for a monthly supplemental payment. A participant in CMF+ may receive up to 12 supplemental payments.
The supplemental payment is a $50 monthly payment, and it is not prorated when a placement change occurs in the middle of a W-2 participation period. Similarly, a supplemental payment must not be deducted for:
· Recoupments;
· Hourly sanctions;
· Learnfare sanctions; or
· Drug Felon sanctions.
After one full participation period in CMF+, CARES will generate a $50 supplemental payment in the form of a paper check or by EFT following the W-2 payment cycles. (See 10.2.1)
Like W-2 payments, a participant may request that the W-2 agency hold supplemental payments. (See 10.3.1) In addition, the W-2 agency may intercept a supplemental payment in emergency situations. (See Chapter 2 of the Benefit Issuance Guide)
The CMF+ placement is for W-2 participants who are working in unsubsidized employment and meet the following minimum work requirements based on their family type:
|
Family Type |
Minimum Work Requirement |
| Single-parent family with a child under the age of 6 | At least 20 hours per week of unsubsidized employment. |
| Single-parent family whose youngest child is age 6 or older | At least 30 hours per week of unsubsidized employment. |
| Two-parent family not receiving federally-funded child care | At least 35 combined hours per week of unsubsidized employment. |
| Two-parent family receiving federally-funded child care | At least 55 combined hours per week of unsubsidized employment. |
Participants working less than 30 hours per week in unsubsidized employment may be eligible for a prorated CSJ (see 7.4.1.5), CMF, or CMF+. In determining the most appropriate placement, the FEP must assess the participant’s:
· Work hours;
· Abilities to increase their work hours; and
· Family type.
For initial verification, the FEP must follow the procedures outlined in 7.2.3.1 for documenting and verifying employment.
The FEP must not change a participant’s placement to CMF+ until verifying hours of unsubsidized employment. However, the FEP may change the placement to CMF until verification is received. When verification is received, the FEP must update employment information and reassess the participant for CMF+. (See 7.2.3.5.2)
The FEP must meet with CMF+ participants to conduct a W-2 eligibility review at least once every six months and collect at least two consecutive weeks of pay stubs. (See 1.4.2.4)
Months of participation in CMF+ count towards the 12-consecutive month participation limit for case management follow-up services. (See 7.2.3) Each time a participant is placed in CMF or CMF+, the 12-consecutive-month participation limit resets to zero. Uninterrupted months of participation in CMF and CMF+ are counted towards the 12-consecutive-month participation limit for follow-up services.
The CMF and CMF+ participation limit is not to be confused with state and federal time limits for assistance. (See 7.2.3.5.5)
EXAMPLE 1: Raleigh and Jules have two children, ages 2 and 3. Raleigh is in a TMP placement and was hired on permanently by their employer, working 40 hours per week. Jules stays home with the children and the family does not receive Wisconsin Shares. After verifying employment and eligibility, the FEP places Raleigh in a CMF+ placement because they are working above the minimum work hours for their family type. Raleigh is eligible for up to 12 consecutive months of CMF+ services because this is the start of a new participation in CMF+.
EXAMPLE 2: Amara is a single parent in a W-2 T placement and has a 10-year-old child. Amara gets a job working 25 hours per week that can accommodate her physical therapy sessions from a recent knee injury. Amara and her FEP do not identify any barriers to increasing her work hours and her employer wants to provide full-time work after she completes physical therapy. Because Amara does not want to use up her W-2 time limit and participate in W-2 activities, Amara’s FEP places her in a CMF placement.
Amara is not eligible for a CMF+ because she does not meet the minimum work hours for her family type and does not have any barriers to increasing her work hours to be eligible for a prorated CSJ.
After three months, Amara reports that she completed physical therapy and is working 32 hours per week. The FEP places Amara in CMF+ because she now meets the required work hours for her family type. Amara is only eligible for up to nine more months of CMF+ services because her participation in CMF and CMF+ was uninterrupted.
EXAMPLE 3: Mako is a single parent in a CSJ placement and has two children, ages 4 and 6. After a few weeks, Mako gets a job working 30 hours per week. The FEP places Mako in CMF+ because she is working the minimum work hours for her family type. After two months, Mako reports that she lost her job because her employer went out of business. The FEP places Mako in CSJ. After three months, Mako gets a new job working 40 hours per week. The FEP places Mako back in CMF+. Mako is eligible for up to 12 consecutive months of CMF and CMF+ services because the participation limit reset to zero when her prior CMF+ placement was interrupted.
Receipt of a supplemental payment does not count towards the state 48-month lifetime limit (see 2.10.2) or the federal 60-month lifetime limit (see 2.10.9).
Participants in the CMF+ placement are exempt from the requirement to assign child support payments to the state as a condition of eligibility (see 15.1.1); however, all parents in the W-2 Group must cooperate with child support in order to be eligible for CMF+ (see 15.3.1).
History: Release 25-04; Release 24-13; Release 22-05; Release 21-09; Release 21-07; Release 21-04; Release 20-03; Release 20-01; Release 19-02; Release 18-02; Release 16-01; Release 12-05.