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Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Wisconsin Works (W-2) Manual |
17.3.1.1 JALs for Housing
17.3.1.2 JALs for Fines
W-2 agencies have the authority to approve or deny proposed uses of JALs. JALs can be used for a variety of reasons to assist applicants in obtaining or maintaining employment. Acceptable uses of JAL funds include, but are not limited to:
· Expenses enabling transportation to work, including: fees for obtaining a driver’s license, car repairs, and car purchase expenses such as car loans, and down payments;
· Expenses enabling execution of current or prospective job functions, such as: purchase of clothing/uniforms, supplies for work, and equipment for remote work.
JALs may be approved to cover the costs of rent or security deposits in order to keep or get a job. However, it is best practice for individuals applying for a JAL for housing expenses to first apply for other housing resources such as EA (See EA Manual). The W-2 agency must carefully review the budget to ensure the applicant can cover existing housing and other expenses and pay off the loan as described in 17.2.3. Below are two examples of when issuing a JAL for housing is appropriate.
EXAMPLE 1: For the past year, Jaya and her children have been living with her mother in Oregon, WI and working part-time. She lost her job two months ago and has just received a bona fide job offer with Capital Machinery in north Madison, 20 miles from her mother’s house. Her start date is next week. Jaya needs a JAL for $1,000 to cover her first month’s rent and security deposit so that she can move to Madison to be closer to her job. She has found an apartment in Madison that is both close to her job and close to her child care. If she moves, she will be able to take the bus to both her job and her child care provider.
Jaya meets all of the eligibility requirements for a JAL. She has exhausted all other housing resources, including EA. She is not eligible for EA because she does not have an eviction notice and does not meet the definition for doubled up housing. The W-2 agency has carefully reviewed the budget with Jaya. With her new salary, she is financially able to cover her ongoing housing costs and other expenses and be able to make the $83 per month payment to pay off her JAL in 12 months.
The W-2 agency approves Jaya’s JAL and works with her to establish a repayment agreement that includes both cash and in-kind payments.
EXAMPLE 2: Ursula is currently employed 30 hours per week at a fast food restaurant. She recently missed 10 days of work because her daughter Lucia had surgery. Ursula does not have sick leave. Because of the missed hours, she was unable to pay her rent and received an eviction notice. Ursula is short on her rent by $400 and needs a JAL to avoid an eviction. If Ursula loses her housing she will not be able to keep her job. Ursula’s next door neighbor babysits for Lucia when she is at work. If Ursula has to move into a shelter, her neighbor will not be able to babysit. Ursula’s rent is due in 2 days and her next pay check is not expected for 7 more days.
Ursula meets all of the eligibility requirements for a JAL. She has exhausted all other housing resources, including EA. Ursula is not eligible for EA because she received EA 10 months ago when her daughter Lucia first became sick. The W-2 agency has carefully reviewed the budget with Ursula. With her salary, she is financially able to cover her ongoing housing costs and other expenses and is able to make the $33 per month payment to pay off her JAL in 12 months.
The W-2 agency approves Ursula’s JAL and works with her to establish a repayment agreement that includes both cash and in-kind payments.
JALs may be approved to cover the payment of fines that, if unpaid, may result or have already resulted in the suspension of a person’s driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license.
When using JAL funds to assist the applicant to pay a fine related to obtaining a driver’s license, the W-2 agency must:
1. Assist the applicant in identifying the fines preventing them from obtaining a license. This includes identification of the amount owed and any other barriers to obtaining a license. This may be done with the assistance of DMV or other community agencies.
2. Verify with the DMV that paying the fine will result in the applicant’s eligibility for driver’s license reinstatement, occupational license, or an initial driver’s license.
3. Make the JAL check payable to the JAL recipient. If there are several fines owed to more than one court or municipality, only one check will be issued. However, the sum of the loaned funds for any one individual cannot exceed $1,600 in a 12 month period.
If insurance is required before a license can be issued, JAL funds may be used to cover the cost of required insurance for the first six months of coverage or five hundred dollars ($500.00), whichever is less.
History: Release 22-02; Release 12-03.