11.4  20% Payment Reductions for Nonparticipation

11.4.1 Notice of Potential W-2 Payment Reductions

11.4.2 Rectifying Nonparticipation Prior to W-2 Payment Reduction

W-2Wisconsin Works policy requires FEPFinancial and Employment Planners to conduct ongoing informal assessments, which includes the need to work together with participants to identify any underlying causes of nonparticipation and provide individualized support to help them overcome barriers to participating in W-2 activities. (See 11.1)

In addition to working with participants to identify and address barriers to participation, if a participant’s payment is going to be reduced by 20% or more due to nonparticipation, the W-2 agency must:

1. Provide written notice to the W-2 participant of the proposed 20% or more payment reduction, including the reasons for the proposed payment reduction; and

2. Allow the participant seven working days to rectify the discrepancy and prevent the proposed W-2 payment reduction.

To rectify means that the participant is given one last opportunity to present good cause for nonparticipation or to present late documentation of completed assigned activities.

11.4.1 Notice of Potential W-2 Payment Reductions

CWWCARES Worker Web automatically generates the Notice of Potential W-2 Payment Reduction (letter NWSN) either at the:

1. Beginning of the month (W-2 delayed payment); or

2. End of the month (W-2 pulldown) when final W-2 monthly payment amounts are determined.

CWW populates the letter with information entered by the FEP in participation tracking in WWPWisconsin Work Programs, including:

1. Missed activities;

2. Hours missed; and

3. Dates the activities were missed.

The letter informs the participant to contact the worker as soon as they receive the letter to explain why the activities were missed.

11.4.2 Rectifying Nonparticipation Prior to W-2 Payment Reduction

If the participant claims good cause, the FEP must use the good cause criteria (See 11.3.2) to determine:

1. If the absence meets any of the W-2 good cause reasons; and

2. If written verification of good cause (called “proof of good cause” in the letter) is required. (See 11.3.4)

If the participant submits late documentation of completed assigned activities, the documentation must be for the dates the activity was assigned on the Employability Plan.

If written verification of good cause is required, the participant has seven working days to provide written verification of good cause. The next working day after the mailing date of the letter is day one. See table for example scenario.

The NWSNNotice of Potential W-2 Payment Reduction letter includes the date by which written verification must be provided, if required. (See 11.3.4)

The date provided on NWSN is the final date any verification can be received. The verification due date cannot be extended from seven working days to 30 days.

History: Release 24-07; Release 21-07; Release 20-03; Release 20-01; Release 18-04; Release 11-06; Release 11-04; Release 09-03..