Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Wisconsin Works (W-2) Manual |
W-2 is based on the philosophy that both parents are responsible to care for and support their children. The W-2 agency’s goal, whenever possible, is to increase the family’s total income by helping both parents find and keep employment.
Not all families with two adults are considered two-parent households for purposes of W-2. W-2 has specific policies for two-parent households. A W-2 two-parent household is a W-2 Group where both adults:
1. are Custodial Parent (CP) who have a child in common (for example, step parents do not meet the definition of a custodial parent however these individuals are considered an Included Adult for eligibility purposes);
2. reside in the same household with their child(ren);
3. meet all W-2 eligibility criteria (for example, a custodial parent receiving SSI or a custodial parent who is not a qualified non-citizen are not members of a two-parent household for W-2 purposes because those adults do not meet W-2 nonfinancial eligibility requirements and therefore are "included adults" not eligible adults);
4. are not a Disabled Adult ; and
5. are not caring for a Severely Disabled Child in the W-2 Group.
It is important to note that when one parent in a W-2 Group with two adults does not meet the W-2 eligibility requirements and is considered an "included adult" that W-2 Group still may be eligible for W-2 services. However, the W-2 Group will not be considered a two-parent household for W-2 purposes.
EXAMPLE: Ineesha and Nate Tosh apply for W-2. They are married and have two minor children together. Ineesha receives public employers’ disability benefits. Nate has been unemployed for the last six months. The family meets all other W-2 financial and nonfinancial eligibility requirements. Nate is not ready for employment due to barriers identified by the FEP. The family is eligible for W-2, and Nate is placed in a CSJ. However because Ineesha meets the definition of a disabled adult, the W-2 Group is not considered a two-parent household for W-2 purposes. Ineesha cannot be required to participate in W-2 activities.
This chapter discusses the policies related to W-2 Groups that meet the definition of a W-2 two-parent household.
History: There are no previous versions of this policy.