Division of Family and Economic Security, Bureau of Working Families

Wisconsin Works (W-2) Manual

17.5.3 In-Kind Community Service Repayment

JALJALJob Access Loan recipients can repay up to 75% of the loan through in-kind community service.

FEPFEPFinancial and Employment Planners are responsible for informing JAL applicants that in-kind community service repayment:

  • Is available to all JAL recipients;
  • Is valued at the higher of federal or state minimum wage; and
  • Must be scheduled and reported to the W-2W-2Wisconsin Works agency each month until the loan is paid off or until a renegotiated repayment plan is in effect.

JAL recipients are responsible for finding a supervised in-kind service opportunity. Examples of community service include, but are not limited to, volunteering at a:

  • Food pantry;
  • Senior meal site;
  • Habitat for Humanity site;
  • Blood drive organization;
  • Nonprofit organization;
  • Community garden;
  • School; and/or
  • Church.

JAL recipients who choose to repay a portion of their JAL through in-kind community service are responsible for arranging child care during their volunteer hours. W-2 agencies may not reimburse for expenses incurred for in-kind work, including transportation and child care.

JAL recipients can add in-kind community service repayment through renegotiation at any point during loan repayment, provided they are not delinquent on their JAL. (See 17.5.1.1)

FEPs must remind JAL recipients that missing three payments, including both in-kind community service and cash repayment, will result in loan default and collections. (See 17.5.5)

Documentation of in-kind work must be uploaded in ECF by the W-2 agency and shared with PACSPACSThe Public Assistance Collection Section within five days of receipt, dwspacu@wisconsin.gov. The agency must also indicate this by making a comment in BRITS.