7.2.3 Case Management Follow-Up (CMF)

Participants who find unsubsidized employment while in W-2 who were previously in a paid placement are eligible for case management follow-up services; this includes TEMP, CSJ, W-2 T, and CMC. The goal of case management follow-up services is to give participants the assistance they need to stay employed and advance in their career. W-2 agencies must provide up to 12 consecutive months of follow-up services to participants who find employment while in W-2. W-2 case management follow-up services can be provided even after the participant loses financial eligibility. (See 7.2.3.4)

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.

7.2.3.1 General CMF Participant Description Characteristics

Participants who were previously placed in a paid placement are eligible for CMF services; this includes TEMP, CSJ, W-2 T, and CMC. In addition, W-2 applicants in up-front job search and the CMJ placement who find unsubsidized employment are eligible for CMF services.

When a participant reports starting a new job, a FEP can use a participant’s verbal statement to change the placement to CMF, revise the EP, and assign case management activities. While waiting for the verification, the FEP must gather as much information as possible from the participant, including the name and address of the employer, the expected begin date of employment, the hourly wage, and number of expected hours of work per week. The FEP must enter the new verified or unverified employment information on the WWP Work History page and the CWW Employment Page. If the information is unverified, the FEP must return to the WWP Work History page and the Employment Page to update the employment information when the verification is received.

Participants who are working in unsubsidized employment for 30 hours or more per week are typically appropriate for CMF. Participants who work in unsubsidized employment and meet minimum work hours for their family types are appropriate for CMF+. (See 7.2.3.5.2) Participants who are working in unsubsidized employment for less than 30 hours per week and who have limitations to increasing their work hours must be placed in prorated CSJ. (See 7.4.1.4)

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 to due complications with her third pregnancy. Christina has a high school diploma and valid driver’s license with access to a vehicle. Christina is interested in employment in the nursing field and the FEP refers Christina for CNACertified Nursing Assistant job skills training. Christina successfully obtains her CNA license and secures a position as a CNA working 35 hours per week at $9.50 per hour. The FEP completes an informal assessment and determines that Christina is appropriate for a CMF placement. 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. Through supportive services provided by the FEP, Christina and Jordan will be able to increase her hours or connect with ongoing education and career advancement.

7.2.3.2 Case Management Services for CMF and CMF+ Participants

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 provide appropriate services and maintain regular contact; most CMF and CMF+ participants should receive biweekly or no less than monthly contact.

7.2.3.3 Job Loss and Reduction in Hours in CMF and CMF+

If a CMF or CMF+ participant loses his or her job or experiences a reduction in work hours, the FEP must reassess the individual to determine if there are possible unidentified barriers.

TEMP, CSJ or W-2 T: For a job loss, if the FEP suspects that there are additional barriers, the FEP must place the individual in the appropriate paid placement (TEMP, CSJ, or W-2 T) if the participant meets financial and nonfinancial eligibility criteria, and offer a formal assessment and other appropriate services.

CMJ: If the FEP does not suspect that there are additional barriers and the FEP determines that the individual is capable of obtaining additional employment, a CMJ placement may be appropriate. (See 7.2.4)

Prorated CSJ: If a reduction in hours results in less than 30 hours per week and the individual has limitations to increasing his or her work hours, the FEP must place the individual in a prorated CSJ. The FEP must assign activities specifically designed to assist the participant to increase his or her work hours or to obtain full-time employment. If the FEP does not suspect that there are additional barriers, the FEP must keep the participant in the CMF placement.

CMF: If a reduction in hours results in the individual being unable to meet the minimum work hours for the family type and the individual does not have limitations to increasing his or her work hours, the FEP must place the individual in a CMF placement.

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.

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 reviews Barbara’s paystubs for the last 30 days showing an average of 15 hours worked per week. The FEP verifies with the employer that Barbara’s hours have been reduced to part-time due to the end of the holiday season and the employer does not expect that her hours will increase to full-time until the next holiday season. The FEP meets with Barbara, completes an informal assessment, and determines that she meets nonfinancial and financial eligibility in order to move from a CMF placement to a prorated paid placement. Barbara enjoys working with customers. Barbara does not have a resume and prefers to complete paper applications as she has minimal computer skills. The FEP places Barbara in a 1/2 CSJ and assigns activities that will help Barbara find other full-time employment, including a workshop on resume writing and successful employment search. The FEP also 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 supplies Barbara with blank applications for greeter positions with two local retail stores. The FEP maintains biweekly contact with Barbara to monitor her progress.

EXAMPLE 2: Monique is in CMF and began a new job as a CNA. Monique was placed on second shift and will 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 28 hours worked per week. The FEP discusses the situation with Monique who discloses that she did not want to work second-shift on the weekends and her supervisor took her off the weekend rotation. After completing an informal assessment, the FEP determines that Monique is appropriate to remain in the CMF placement.

7.2.3.4 CMF and CMF+ Eligibility Requirements

W-2 participants that have obtained unsubsidized employment may transition from a paid placement to a CMF or CMF+ placement and are eligible for case management follow-up services only if they continue to meet all nonfinancial eligibility requirements. When determining CMF and CMF+ eligibility, the FEP must exclude income and assets.

EXAMPLE 1: Caitlyn has one child and was in a CSJ placement for four months. She began a new job that pays $10 an hour for 40 hours per week. At the EP appointment, the FEP verifies her employment and wages and changes her placement to CMF. Based on her W-2 group size and income level, Caitlyn no longer meets the financial eligibility requirement for most W-2 services; however, CMF placements exclude income and assets when determining eligibility. Caitlyn continues to meet all of the nonfinancial eligibility requirements listed in Section 2.2.1. Therefore, she is eligible for case management follow-up services.

EXAMPLE 2: Ben has custody of his two minor children and has been working as a mechanic for six months. The FEP changed his W-2 placement to CMF when Ben originally reported his employment when he started working. The FEP completes a six-month eligibility review over the phone with Ben. During the review, Ben tells the FEP that his former spouse regained custody of both children last month. The FEP will end Ben’s CMF placement because he no longer meets the W-2 nonfinancial eligibility requirements. The FEP will close Ben’s W-2 case, disenroll from Work Programs, and enter in PIN comments the reason why Ben’s CMF placement is less than 12 months.

7.2.3.5 Case Management Follow-Up Plus (CMF+)

The CMF+ placement is for participants who find employment while in W-2 who were previously in a W-2 employment position: TMP, CSJ, or W-2 T and 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 the placement preceding CMF is TMP, CSJ, or W-2 T.

EXAMPLE: Sally and Lisa are both in the CMF placement and do not have any barriers to full-time employment. Sally was previously in a CMC placement and Lisa was previously in a prorated CSJ placement. Both Sally and Lisa increased their work hours to meet the minimum work requirements for CMF+. Although Sally increased her work hours to meet the minimum work requirements, she is not eligible for CMF+ because her placement preceding CMF is CMC. Lisa is eligible for CMF+ because her placement preceding CMF is CSJ.

A participant placed in CMF+ receives follow-up services and a monthly $50 supplemental payment. (See 7.2.3.5.1)

7.2.3.5.1 Supplemental Payments

Supplemental payments are worker supplements provided as a monthly payment to W-2 participants who are working in unsubsidized employment for a minimum number of work hours. (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 flat $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 is not deducted for recoupments, hourly sanctions, Learnfare sanctions, or Drug Felon sanctions.

CARES issues supplemental payments in the form of a paper check or by EFT. After one full participation period in CMF+, CARES will generate a $50 supplemental payment 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. In addition, the W-2 agency may intercept a supplemental payment in emergency situations.

7.2.3.5.2 Minimum Work Requirements

The CMF+ placement is for W-2 participants who are working in unsubsidized employment and meet the following family types and minimum work requirements:

Participants working less than 30 hours per week in unsubsidized employment may be eligible for prorated-CSJ (see 7.4.1.4), CMF, or CMF+. In determining the most appropriate placement, the FEP must assess the participant’s work hours, abilities to increase his or her work hours, and the family type.

7.2.3.5.3 Documentation, Verification, and Eligibility Reviews

For initial verification, the FEP must follow procedures in Section 7.2.3.1 for documenting and verifying employment.

The FEP must not change the participant’s placement to CMF+ until the FEP verifies hours of unsubsidized employment. 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+. The participant must meet minimum work requirements to be placed in CMF+. (See 7.2.3.5.2)

Ongoing, the FEP must meet (see 1.4.2.4) with CMF+ participants to conduct a W-2 eligibility review at least every six (6) months and collect at least two (2) consecutive weeks of pay stubs.

7.2.3.5.4 Participation Limits

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) The 12-consecutive month participation limit is the amount of time that a participant may receive CMF and CMF+ case management services.

EXAMPLE 1: Raleigh and Jules have two children ages 2 and 3. Raleigh is in a TMP placement and was hired on permanently by the employer, working 40 hours per week. Jules stays at home with the children and the family is not receiving Wisconsin Shares. The FEP places Raleigh in CMF+ because he is working above the minimum work hours for his family type. Raleigh is eligible for up to 12 consecutive months of CMF+ services because he is starting a new participation in CMF+.

EXAMPLE 2: Amara is a single parent with a child age 10. She is in a W-2 T placement and recovering from knee surgery. Amara gets a job working 25 hours per week that can accommodate her physical therapy sessions. The FEP and Amara discuss her work hours, and Amara states that she does not have any barriers to increasing her work hours and that her employer will provide full-time work after she completes physical therapy. Amara does not want to use up her W-2 time limit and participate in W-2 activities. The FEP places her in CMF because she is not working the minimum work hours for her family type to be eligible for CMF+, and she 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 is now working more than the minimum work hours for her family type. Amara is only eligible for up to 9 more months of CMF+ services because her participation in CMF and CMF+ was uninterrupted.

EXAMPLE 3: Mako is a single parent with two children ages 4 and 6. She is in a CSJ placement and 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 is no longer working because the employer went out of business. The FEP places Mako in CSJ. After three months, Mako gets a 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 prior CMF+ participation was interrupted and the participation limit reset to zero when the FEP placed her back in CMF+.

7.2.3.5.5 State and Federal Lifetime Limits

Receipt of a supplemental payment will not count towards the state 48-month lifetime limit (see 2.10.2) or the federal 60-month lifetime limit (see 2.10.9).

7.2.3.5.6 Child Support

Participants in CMF+ 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).

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.