Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Wisconsin Works (W-2) Manual |
The chart below provides a list of eligibility criteria along with suggested sources of allowable verification. The list of sources to verify an eligibility item is not exhaustive, but provides a sampling of the possible sources.
FEP s must verify identity, Social Security number, birth date, and citizenship only once per lifetime of the case. (See 4.1.4) FEPs must verify other eligibility criteria at every eligibility review and when new information is reported or received through a data exchange. FEPs must conduct eligibility reviews at least every 6 months. If valid verification documentation already exists via data exchange or in the Electronic Case File (ECF), do not request additional verification. For example, if a legible copy of the applicant's current lease is in the ECF, rather than pend the case for additional verification of Wisconsin residency, FEPs must use this existing documentation to verify Wisconsin residency.
Eligibility Criteria |
Suggested Sources of Verification |
ECF Code |
Identity |
Driver’s License |
ID |
State Issued ID Card |
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Student ID Card |
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U.S. Government ID Card |
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Military ID Card |
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Native American ID Card or other tribal membership documentation issued by a Federally recognized tribe |
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Any photo ID document issued by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) |
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U.S. Passport |
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Enhanced Driver's License |
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Any unexpired immigration document |
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Any other reliable document that verifies identity |
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DX (DATA EXCHANGE) code when entered by CARES in the Identity Verification field |
Not applicable |
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SC (SSI 1619b SSDI OR MEDICARE) code when entered by an IM Worker in the Identity Verification or Identity MA Verification field. If the code is entered only in the Identity MA Verification field, the FEP will need to enter the code in the Identity Verification Field. |
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DE (DATA EXCHANGE) code when entered by an IM Worker in the Identity Verification or Identity MA Verification field. If the code is entered only in the Identity MA Verification field, the FEP will need to enter the code in the Identity Verification field. |
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**SAVE database |
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Birth Date |
Certified copy of Birth Certificate (must be marked “For Administrative Use”) |
ID
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Hospital Birth Record |
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Driver’s License |
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U.S. Passport |
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State Issued ID Card |
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Certificate of Naturalization (must be marked “For Administrative Use”) |
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Certificate of Citizenship (must be marked “For Administrative Use”) |
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Native American ID Card or other tribal membership documentation issued by a Federally recognized tribe |
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CARES birth query (Wisconsin Births only) |
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Any unexpired immigration document |
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Any other reliable document that verifies birth date |
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**State Online Query Internet (SOLQ-I) data exchange (SSA Verification field is V - VERIFIED) |
Not applicable |
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NB (Continuously Eligible Newborn) code when entered by an IM Worker |
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MB (Medicaid Birth Claim) code when entered by an IM Worker | ||
Wisconsin Residency Reminder: Do not require residency verification for homeless or migrant assistance groups newly arrived to the area. For all other W-2 Groups, verify residency for the primary person. |
Landlord inquiry or current lease |
SUE |
Utility bill for water, gas, electricity, or telephone that includes name and Address |
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Mortgage receipt |
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Subsidized housing program approval |
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Weatherization program approval |
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Signed statement from a shelter or individual providing temporary residence |
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Pay check stub including name, address, employer’s name, address and phone number |
EI |
|
Wisconsin Driver’s License |
ID |
|
Wisconsin ID card |
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Wisconsin Motor Vehicle registration |
VI |
|
School registration record |
WLCM or SCHL, as appropriate |
|
Any other reliable document that verifies Wisconsin residency |
WMSC, or as appropriate |
|
U.S. Citizenship |
Certified copy of Birth Certificate (must be marked “For Administrative Use”) |
ID |
Baptismal Certificate or other religious record that lists a U.S. place of birth |
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Hospital Birth Record or other medical birth record that lists a U.S. place of birth |
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Native American ID Card or other tribal membership documentation issued by a Federally recognized tribe |
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Certificate of Naturalization (should be marked “For Administrative Use”) |
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Certificate of Citizenship (should be marked “For Administrative Use”) |
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U.S. Passport |
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Enhanced Driver's License |
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Citizenship documents issued by the U.S. Department of State to U.S. citizens born abroad |
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Final adoption decree that lists a U.S. place of birth |
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U.S. Citizen ID Card or Northern Mariana Card |
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DX (DATA EXCHANGE) code when entered by CARES in the US Citizenship Verification field. |
Not applicable |
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**CARES birth query (Wisconsin Births only) |
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**SAVE database |
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MB (MEDICAID BIRTH CLAIM) code when entered by an IM Worker in the US Citizenship Verification or US Citizenship MA Verification field. If the code is entered only in the US Citizenship MA Verification field, the FEP will need to enter the code in the US Citizenship Verification field. |
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NX (CONTINUOUSLY ELIGIBLE NEWBORN) code when entered by CARES in the U.S. Citizenship Verification field |
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NB (CONTINUOUSLY ELIGIBLE NEWBORN) code when entered by an IM Worker in the US Citizenship Verification or US Citizenship MA Verification field. If the code is entered only in the US Citizenship MA Verification field, the FEP will need to enter the code in the US Citizenship Verification field. |
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DE (DATA EXCHANGE) code when entered by an IM Worker in the US Citizenship Verification or US Citizenship MA Verification field. If the code is entered only in the US Citizenship MA Verification field, the FEP will need to enter the code in the US Citizenship Verification field. |
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Qualifying Non-Citizen Status |
Please see W-2 Manual Chapter 2.4.1.1 |
ID |
Marital Status |
Certified copy of Marriage Certificate (must be marked “For Administrative Use”) |
LEGAL |
Judgment of Divorce |
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Custody of Children |
Court order |
LEGAL |
** KIDS child support disbursement query |
Not applicable |
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Cooperation with Jail Staff |
Agency form; Court Order; City or County Records; Lawyer Statement or Record | LEGAL |
Social Security Number (SSN) |
**Data Exchange verifying
verbal statement of individual's SSN
Note: This is the preferred form of verification for SSN. If the data exchange returns a "V-Verified" from the SSA , there is no need to scan paper verification into ECF. |
Not applicable
|
The following documents may be used as verification if the data exchange is unavailable or results in a discrepancy and must be scanned into ECF: | SSN
|
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Social Security Card |
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Pay stub displaying the Social Security number |
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W-2 Tax Form displaying the Social Security number |
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Other reliable documents displaying both the name and SSN |
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SSN Application Date (verify only if individual does not have SSN) | Form SS-5, Application for Social Security number | SSN |
SSA Document (e.g. receipt for SSN Application) | ||
Other Written Statement or Agency Form stating that the individual has applied for an SSN | ||
Oral statement from representatives of other state agencies, hospital staff, or other third parties verifying that a record exists of the individual's application for an SSN. | ||
For newborns only: Hospital discharge letter (must specifically reference the application for a SSN) | ||
For exempt qualified non-citizens: See 2.7.1 | Not applicable |
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Earned Income |
Dated check stubs for the past 30 days |
EI |
Letter from employer stating pay frequency, rate per hour, and average hours per pay period. |
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Income tax return for the previous tax year |
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Self-employment business tax records |
SEI |
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Any other document that verifies earned income |
SEI or EI as appropriate |
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**CARES data exchange |
Not applicable |
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Unearned Income |
Social Security Award Letter |
UI |
Unemployment Compensation Award Letter |
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Divorce paperwork identifying a financial settlement |
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Documentation of Court Awarded compensation |
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Compensation Award Letter |
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Veteran’s Administration Award Letter |
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Any other document that verifies unearned income |
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** CARES data exchange |
Not applicable |
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Financial Accounts* (e.g. Savings, Checking, Prepaid Debit Cards, etc.)
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Current financial, bank, credit union, or loan statement *Note: Do not verify closed accounts or cards |
BNK |
Insurance Policies |
Life insurance policy and the insurance company’s statement on the policy’s current cash value |
LIP |
Trust Funds |
Trust agreement |
AST |
Court order |
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Other Savings or Investments Certificates of Deposit, Retirement Accounts (including IRA and KEOGH accounts), Stocks or Bonds
|
Statement from stockbroker |
AST |
Copy of bonds |
SB |
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Current bank, credit union or savings and loan statement |
BNK |
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Real Estate |
Deeds or titles |
AST |
Real estate receipts or tax records |
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Statement of current value from local business |
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Vehicles |
Car title or registration |
VI |
Written statement from car dealer |
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Loan papers or sales receipt |
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State Division of Motor Vehicle statement |
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Pregnancy |
Medical
statement from a doctor or other qualified medical provider |
See 4.4.6 |
At Risk Pregnancy (ARP) Medical Information/Verification (4070) form or a letter from a physician on the physician’s letterhead that contains all the information listed in 7.4.6.2. |
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School Enrollment Status |
Report Card |
WLCM for Learnfare SCHL - for Dependant 18-year-olds |
Statement from school or school district* |
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Any other document that verifies school enrollment status* |
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*Note: Verification for Dependent 18-year-olds must include expected graduation date. |
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Proof of a current and valid driver’s license. Required for a JAL for the purchase or repair of a vehicle. |
State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s webpage, “Check driver license information” statement. Please see W-2 Manual Section 17.2.1.3. |
VI |
Proof of motor vehicle liability insurance. Required for a JAL for the purchase or repair of a vehicle. |
Printed or electronic documentation showing proof of motor vehicle liability insurance. Please see W-2 Manual Section 17.2.1.3. |
VI |
Proof of permission from a probation, parole or extended supervision agent to purchase a vehicle. Required for a JAL for the purchase of a vehicle. |
A note on Department of Corrections letterhead or an e-mail sent via the state e-mail system to the FEP by a probation, parole, or extended supervision agent. Please see W-2 Manual Section 17.2.1.3. |
VI |
** Do not scan these items. Verification for these items is available via CARES queries and data exchanges.
History: Release 20-06; Release 19-03; Release 18-04; Release 18-02; Release 17-01; Release 16-01; Release 14-03; Release 13-03; Release 13-02; Release 13-01; Release 12-02; Release 11-02.