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Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Wisconsin Works (W-2) Manual |
Over time, the circumstances of a W-2 two-parent household may change. For example, one or both of the parents may:
· Leave the W-2 Group;
· Lose a job;
· Get a job;
· Lose job hours and/or wages;
· Increase job hours and/or wages;
· Become incapacitated for a short period of time; or
· Become eligible for SSI, etc.
When changes occur, the FEP must determine if the W-2 Group still meets W-2 eligibility requirements. If the W-2 Group still is eligible, the FEP must determine if the W-2 Group still meets the definition of a W-2 two-parent household. If the W-2 Group still is a two-parent household, the FEP needs to determine if the most employable parent is placed and the appropriate W-2 placement. (See 14.2.1) When necessary, the FEP must change the placement and/or the parent who is placed to ensure that the parent who is best able to increase the family’s income the quickest is placed in the appropriate W-2 placement.
EXAMPLE 1: Kaileigh and Cole Jackson meet the definition of a W-2 two-parent household. Several months after being placed in a CSJ, Kaileigh gets a part-time waitress job working 20 hours per week. Kaileigh is looking for another part time job to get her hours up to full-time. The FEP places Kaileigh into a pro-rated CSJ. Cole continues to volunteer for W-2 activities as the second parent in a W-2 two-parent household.
EXAMPLE 2: Kimberly Hetto and Jason Lee are a W-2 two-parent household. Kimberly is placed in a CSJ. A month after placement, Jason moves out. Kimberly’s and Jason’s children are residing with Kimberly. With Jason no longer in the home, the FEP determines this situation no longer meets the definition of a W-2 two-parent household. Kimberly still is eligible for W-2 and her appropriate placement still is CSJ. Kimberly continues in her CSJ as a single parent case.
EXAMPLE 3: Gerri and Jeff Kast are a W-2 two-parent household. Several months into his W-2 T, Jeff qualifies for SSI payment. He provides a copy of the award letter. Jeff no longer meets W-2 nonfinancial eligibility requirements due to his receiving SSI. That means he is now an Included Adult, instead of an eligible adult and the W-2 Group no longer meets the definition of a W-2 two-parent household. The W-2 Group, however, is still eligible for W-2. The FEP ends Jeff’s W-2 T placement and places Gerri in a W-2 T.
EXAMPLE 4: Jim Reed and Brandy Carter are a W-2 two-parent household receiving Wisconsin Shares. Several months after Jim is placed in a CSJ, he gets a full-time job. Brandy still works 10 hours per week at Goodwill Industries. The FEP determines with Jim’s full-time income, the household’s income exceeds 115% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Jim agrees to follow-up services, and the FEP changes his placement from a CSJ to a CMF placement. Jim cannot be placed in a CMF+ placement because the combined hours of unsubsidized employment for the two-parent household only totals 50 hours per week and does not meet the minimum work hours of 55 hours per week for a two-parent-family receiving Wisconsin Shares. The FEP determines their W-2 Group still meets the definition of a W-2 two-parent household, and encourages Brandy to continue her voluntary W-2 activities and services.
EXAMPLE 5: LaKeisha and Marcus Clayton are a W-2 two-parent household. Several months into his pro-rated CSJ, Marcus gets a full-time job. Despite his employment, the W-2 Group still is below 115% of the FPL. The W-2 Group continues to meet the definition of a W-2 two-parent household. The FEP ends Marcus’ pro-rated CSJ placement and places LaKeisha in a W-2 T. LaKeisha has been volunteering for W-2 activities during the months Marcus was placed. She has decided to apply for SSI with help from the W-2 agency. The FEP encourages Marcus as the second parent to volunteer for retention services to support his continued employment.
EXAMPLE 6: Natasha Filbert and Anthony Marques are a W-2 two-parent household. Natasha is placed in a CSJ and Anthony is working full-time. Several months later, Anthony loses his job because he has a short term health problem. The FEP determines that Anthony is now the most employable parent. Because the W-2 Group still meets the definition of a W-2 two-parent household, the FEP ends Natasha’s CSJ placement and places Anthony in a CSJ. Natasha agrees to volunteer for activities and services to support her goal of resolving her barriers to work at least part-time.
History: Release 18-02.