17.2.2  JAL Eligibility Determination

17.2.2.1 Initiating a JAL Request

17.2.2.2 Meeting with the JAL Applicant

17.2.2.3 JAL Application Processing Timeframe

17.2.2.4 W-2 Participants Applying for JAL

17.2.2.1 Initiating a JAL Request

To request a JALJob Access Loan, an applicant can:

1.             Submit an online application through ACCESS A client facing web portal that provides self-service, case specific information regarding an individual’s FoodShare, Medicaid, Wisconsin Shares, Wisconsin Works (W-2), and Job Access Loan benefits, including program eligibility information.; or

2.             Contact their local W-2 agency.

For online applications submitted via ACCESS, the application date is the date the online application is submitted. A CWW case comment must be left when a JAL ACCESS application is withdrawn prior to entry in BRITS to note the reason for withdrawal.

When a JAL is requested by contacting the W-2 agency, the W-2 agency must initiate the application process by generating the Application Registration form. The JAL application process begins on the date the applicant provides the agency with a signed Application Registration form (RFA) that is generated from the CWW Print Application Registration page. (See 1.4.2.3 for acceptable ways to obtain a signature)

See 1.4.2 for more information.

When JAL funding is unavailable:

• Online ACCESS applications for JAL will be unavailable;

• Agencies should no longer accept new in-person JAL applications; and

• Agencies must inform individuals who request JAL by contacting the agency that JAL funding has been exhausted for the current year and assist in recommending other assistance and resources available to the individual.

The W-2 agency must waive all up-front job search activities for JAL-only applicants and must not require JAL-only applicants to complete the informal assessment.

17.2.2.2 Meeting with the JAL Applicant

All applicants must meet:

1.             With a FEP to complete an intake interview in CWW; and

2.             With a FEP who is a JAL creator to complete the interactive application in BRITS and sign the JAL Combined Application and Repayment Agreement form (2482) generated in BRITS as part of the application process. A fillable version of this form is available in the DCF forms repository.

When possible, these should be combined into one meeting. See 1.4.2.4 for acceptable interview and meeting options.

The purpose of the intake interview in CWW is to gather information to establish initial eligibility for a JAL by determining if an applicant meets JAL eligibility criteria, including W-2 financial and nonfinancial eligibility. (See 17.2.1)

 W-2 agencies must follow all case processing requirements and scan eligibility documents into ECF under the appropriate codes. (See chapter 4)

When current documentation of the applicant’s identity, birthdate, citizenship, or residency is already uploaded in ECF, a CWW case comment must be made that these items have been verified and are in ECF.

During the interactive application in BRITS, the JAL creator must:

• Record the applicant’s requested JAL amount in the Requested Loan Amount field on the JAL Information page in BRITS; this entry is informational and not contingent on the JAL limit available to the applicant.

• Discuss with the JAL applicant their household monthly budget of income and expenses and update the Monthly Budget page in BRITS. This section will populate Net Monthly Income to calculate the applicant’s ability to repay the JAL in cash. (See 17.2.3)

• Discuss with the JAL applicant the JAL amount(s) needed to relieve the crisis and enter each reason in the Loan Repayment Calculator in BRITS to calculate the actual JAL amount and update cash repayment terms.

• Upload all supporting documentation provided during the interactive application into BRITS, including, but not limited to:

• Proof of a current and valid driver’s license;

• Proof of motor vehicle insurance; and

• Permission from a probation, parole, or extended supervision agent to purchase a vehicle.

• Enter BRITS comments to document the meeting format and any changes to the application, including but not limited to:

• Extension information;

• Withdrawal reason;

• Need for expedited determination;

• Changes to monthly budget;

• Changes to actual loan amount; or

• Changes to request reasons.

• Generate the JAL Combined Application and Repayment Agreement in BRITS,obtain the applicant’s signature, and upload to BRITS before submitting the JAL claim to the JAL approver. (See 1.4.2.3 for acceptable ways to obtain a signature)

JAL approvers must make a BRITS comment documenting the date the JAL decision was made or returned to the JAL creator.

When a JAL has been approved by the JAL approver, an overnight process will send the check to be printed. The JAL creator is responsible for coordinating check pickup with the applicant.

The Acknowledgment of Receipt section of the JAL Combined Application and Repayment Agreement must be signed and uploaded to BRITS when the applicant receives their check. See 1.4.2.3 for acceptable ways to obtain a signature.

The W-2 agency may deny an application after 30 calendar days if:

• No appointment has been scheduled;

• The applicant did not attend a scheduled meeting; or

• The applicant cannot be reached.

17.2.2.3 JAL Application Processing Timeframe

The W-2 agency must have procedures in place to process JALJob Access Loan applications and issue an eligibility decision within the standard and expedited application processing timeframes unless an extension is in place. (See 4.1.3)

Agencies must process an application in the expedited application processing timeframe when an applicant has an immediate need for the JAL to keep or start a job.

A BRITS comment must be entered for every application with an extension in place. The BRITS comment must include the current date and length of extension.

A BRITS comment must be entered for every application on an expedited timeframe. The BRITS comment must include the current date.

From the application date (see 17.2.2.1), a JAL decision must be issued within the following timeframes:

After a JAL request has been created in BRITS, the worker will see notification messages in BRITS and CWW as reminders to act on the JAL, dependent on the timeframes above.

If the agency has not made a final decision on a JAL request after 60 calendar days, BRITS will automatically deny the request and:

1.             Auto-generate a denial notice in BRITS and CWW;

2.             Issue the denial notice to the JAL applicant; and

3.             Auto-generate a BRITS comment that the JAL application was denied.

17.2.2.4 W-2 Participants Applying for JAL

JALJob Access Loan applicants in an open W-2 placement must complete a modified application process, as they have already met W-2 financial and nonfinancial eligibility criteria.

The JAL applicant must meet with a FEP who is a JAL creator to complete the interactive application in BRITS and sign the JAL Combined Application and Repayment Agreement form (2482) generated in BRITS. The FEP must request any additional documentation related to JAL specific eligibility criteria.

W-2 agencies must not substitute JALs in place of W-2 services, family stabilization payments, or other appropriate financial resources.

Note: Individuals remain eligible for a CMFCase Management  Folow-up Placement or CMF+Case Management Follow-Up Plus placement even after their income and assets exceed W-2 limits. All CMF and CMF+ cases must meet nonfinancial eligibility requirements to continue receiving case management services. Financial eligibility requirements must be met for CMF and CMF+ participants to be eligible for a JAL.

History: Release 25-03; Release 24-13; Release 24-10; Release 22-05; Release 20-05; Release 20-03; Release 19-02; Release 16-01.