Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Wisconsin Works (W-2) Manual |
13.2.2.1 Review of Error-Prone Profile
13.2.2.1.1 Prohibited Error-Prone Profile Characteristics
13.2.2.1.3 Household Composition
An error-prone profile is a list of characteristics recognized by the W-2 agency as indicators of error(s) on a case. It allows W-2 agencies to allocate administrative and investigative resources to those cases according to their potential for error. The criteria for an error-prone profile must accommodate situations applicable to the specific agency. For example, there are a high number of jobs in the area that provide opportunities for earning tips. In these situations, the error-prone profile would include not reporting tip income when working a job that routinely receives tips. FEV activities may reveal that some characteristics originally thought to show potential errors are irrelevant and not cost effective to pursue.
Because error-prone profile criteria are likely to change over time, the W-2 agency must evaluate its error-prone profile annually to determine if the profile is actually identifying errors. The recommended target is that 30% of cases referred to FEV should result in a referral for fraud investigation. If the W-2 agency does not meet the 30% target, it should remove characteristics that are not error-prone and add other characteristics that may be error-prone.
The following characteristics must not be used when developing an error-prone profile:
1. Race;
2. Color;
3. National origin;
4. Ethnic background;
5. Sexual orientation;
6. Religion;
7. Age;
8. Political belief;
9. Disability;
10. Association with a person with a disability; and
11. Marital status.
Federal regulations specifically prohibit error-prone profiles from targeting migrant farm workers or Native Americans.
Error-prone indicators for residence include:
· Conflicting documentation or verification differing from that reported by the individual;
· Recent arrival (within the prior three months) in the agency’s county, excluding migrant farm workers, people who are homeless, and residents of shelters;
· Highly mobile families whom rarely stay in one location for more than two or three months; and
· Frequent or prolonged visits outside of the W-2 Geographic Area.
Error-prone indicators for household composition include:
· Employable household members listed on the application and then later reported to have moved;
· Collateral contact statement is inconsistent with the individual’s statement of household size;
· Landlord's address is same as individual’s, but landlord is not included as a household member;
· Landlord is the absent parent or ex-spouse;
· An unmarried individual gives birth to a baby who is given the same last name as a male friend, but client claims male friend does not live with her;
· Client reports someone else pays the rent for several months, but that person is not listed in the home;
· Household reports large increases or decreases in household size or a frequently fluctuating household size; and
· Other household member(s) included on a JAL or EA application.
Error-prone indicators for assets include:
· Individual reports no assets or resources on the application, but has no unpaid bills;
· Individual reports no vehicle, but has no reasonable explanation of the transportation method;
· Individual claims no income for an extended period of time, but offers no satisfactory explanation of how needs were met before applying;
· Information provided by the individual shows a substantial reduction in assets just prior to application for assistance; and
· Reported assets are very near or equal to the asset limits.
Error-prone indicators for earned income include:
· Reported income is different than IRS records or state tax forms;
· Individual’s expenses are being met, although individual’s reported income is not enough to satisfy the financial obligations;
· Self-employment income reported to have stopped (potential business assets available);
· Individual reports zero income but states someone else paying the bills;
· Household that has an adult wage earner who becomes unemployed and reports no unemployment benefits or reports unemployment benefits have stopped, but employment has not resumed;
· Increase in nonparticipation without attempts from the individual to provide good cause; and
· Application for JAL or EA indicates increase in earned income not previously reported.
Error-prone indicators for unearned income include:
· Household member claims disability, but does not report SSI , SSDI , or worker’s compensation;
· Application for JAL or EA indicates source(s) of unearned income not previously reported; and
· Individual owns rental propert(ies).
General error-prone indicators include:
· Individual has provided contradictory information or made statements inconsistent with information provided during a previous contact in the application or review;
· Case was previously closed for loss of contact or failure to provide essential information;
· Case in which fraud was previously alleged or committed;
· Case in which information provided by applicant is incomplete or not clear;
· Case was previously referred for FEV , which resulted in either denial or reduction of benefits; and
· Case was flagged for potential error via the automated process for identifying error prone cases in CWW .
History: Release 16-01.