Division of Family and Economic Security, Bureau of Working Families Wisconsin Works (W-2) Manual

17.2.1 Eligibility Criteria

An applicant must meet the following criteria to be eligible for a JAL:

1. Be a Custodial Parent (CP)With respect to a dependent child, a parent (see definition of parent) who resides with that child and, if there has been a determination of legal custody with respect to the dependent child, has legal custody of that child (See 2.3.1 for adult CPs or 17.2.1.1 for minor CPs) or be a NCPNCPNoncustodial Parent (See 17.2.1.2);
2. Meet W-2W-2Wisconsin Works nonfinancial and financial eligibility criteria (W-2 Manual Chapters 2 and 3);
3. Need the loan to address an immediate and discrete financial crisis that is not the result of a failure to accept a bona fide job offer or due to termination without good cause.
4. The individual must either:
   • Be employed and need the loan to continue employment; or
   • Need the loan to obtain employment.
5. Not be in default in the repayment of any current JAL or elinquent in the repayment of any outstanding W-2 overpayment;
6. Not be a migrant worker; and
7. Have a repayment plan with:
   1. A budget demonstrating the ability to repay the JAL in cash (See 17.2.3);
   2. An agreed-upon monthly repayment plan, reflecting cash payment and in-kind community service, developed between the W-2 agency and applicant (See 17.5.1);
   3. A repayment timeframe of 12-months or less, that can be extended to total 24 months during a repayment renegotiation; and
   4. A JAL outstanding balance that does not exceed $1,600.

JAL applicants who meet eligibility requirements are not entitled to a loan but may be approved when JAL funding is available.

17.2.1.1 JAL Eligibility for Minor Custodial Parents

If the JALJALJob Access Loan applicant is a minor custodial parent, the minor parent must:

1. Turn 18 years of age within two months of applying for the JAL;
2. Live in one of the following supervised, alternative living arrangements:
   1. Kinship care;
   2. Foster home;
   3. Group home; or
   4. An adult supervised independent living arrangement approved by the W-2 agency; and
3. Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

17.2.1.2 JAL Eligibility for Noncustodial Parents

Eligible NCPNCPNoncustodial Parent applicants must have an active child support order and one or more of the following must apply to the custodial parent of their child:

1. In a W-2 placement (paid or unpaid);
2. Receiving Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program; or
3. Receiving FoodShare.

17.2.1.3 Additional Eligibility Criteria for Vehicle-Related Requests

For a JAL requested for the purchase or repair of a vehicle, the applicant must provide:

1. Proof of a current driver’s license.
   • The FEPFEPFinancial and Employment Planner must search the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s status check webpage to verify an applicant’s driver’s license is current.
   • The FEP must print a copy of the documentation to scan into BRITS and upload under the ‘supporting documents’ selection.
2. Proof of motor vehicle insurance.
   • The FEP must pend JAL eligibility until an applicant provides a minimum of two quotes for motor vehicle liability insurance.
   • Upon receipt of the quotes, the FEP may confirm eligibility but must not disburse the check until the JAL recipient gives proof of having motor vehicle liability insurance.
   • Proof of motor vehicle insurance may be in print or electronic format (Wis. Stat. § 344.62).
   • The FEP must scan documentation into BRITS and upload under the ‘supporting documents’ selection.
3. A JAL applicant on probation, parole, or extended supervision needs proof of permission from their supervising officer to purchase a vehicle.
   • Proof of permission can be a written statement from an applicant’s probation, parole, or extended supervision agent.
   • Permission given on Wisconsin Department of Corrections letterhead or sent via e-mail from the state e-mail system to the FEP is allowed as documentation of proof.
   • The FEP must scan documentation into BRITS and upload under the ‘supporting documents’ selection.

FEPs will ensure all vehicle-related documentation uploaded into BRITS under the ‘supporting documents’ drop down selection has a descriptive name. Each document file that is uploaded should be named in the ‘name’ entry line in BRITS to describe the vehicle information collected for eligibility determination (e.g. Vehicle Insurance, Vehicle Insurance Quotes, WI DOT query, DL Fees/Fines, Etc.).