Division of Family and Economic Security, Bureau of Working Families

Wisconsin Works (W-2) Manual

14.2.2 Re-Determination of W-2 Placement for Two-Parent Households

Parents in a W-2W-2Wisconsin Works two-parent household may have their circumstances change over time. For example, one or both parents may:

  • Leave the W-2 GroupAn adult custodial parent, all dependent children with respect to whom the individual is a legal custodial parent and all minor children with respect to whom the adult individual’s dependent child is a custodial parent. W-2 Group includes any non-marital co-parent or any spouse of the individual who resides in the same household as the individual and any minor children with respect to whom the spouse or non-marital co-parent is a custodial parent. W-2 Group does not include any person who is receiving cash benefits under a county relief block grant program. This is also referred to as the W-2 Assistance Group (W-2 AG);
  • 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 SSISSISupplemental Security Income, etc. 

When the parent(s) report a change in income or employment, the FEPFEPFinancial and Employment Planner must:

  1. Determine if the W-2 Group still meets W-2 eligibility requirements.

  2. Determine if the W-2 Group still meets the definition of a W-2 two-parent household.

  3. Make the appropriate W-2 placement. (This may require the FEP to change the placement type and/or the parent who is placed, depending on which parent is most employable.) (See 14.2.1)

EXAMPLE 1: Natasha and Anthony are a W-2 two-parent household not receiving WI Shares. Natasha is placed in a CSJ and Anthony is working full-time. Several months later, Anthony loses his job due to 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 chooses not to volunteer for activities.

EXAMPLE 2: Kimberly and Jason meet the definition of 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 live 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 is still eligible for W-2 and her appropriate placement is still CSJ. Kimberly continues in her CSJ as a single-parent case.

EXAMPLE 3: Gerri and Jeff meet the definition of a W-2 two-parent household. Several months into his W-2 TW-2 TW-2 Transition placement, Jeff qualifies for SSI payments and provides a copy of the award letter. Jeff no longer meets W-2 nonfinancial eligibility requirements due to his SSI. Jeff is now an Included AdultAn Included Adult is an adult who is included in the W-2 Group, but who is not eligible for a paid employment position., 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.