49.147 Wisconsin works; work programs and job access loans.

(1) Definition. In this section, “unsubsidized employment" means employment, including self-employment and entrepreneurial activities, for which the employer receives no wage subsidy.

(1m) Educational needs assessment.

(a) A Wisconsin Works agency shall conduct an educational needs assessment of each individual who applies for a Wisconsin Works employment position. If the individual and the Wisconsin Works agency determine that the individual needs, or would benefit from, education or training activities, including a course of study meeting the standards established under s. 115.29 (4) (a) for the granting of a declaration of equivalency of high school graduation, and if the Wisconsin Works agency determines that the individual is eligible for a Wisconsin Works employment position, the Wisconsin Works agency shall include education or training activities in any employability plan developed for the individual.

(b) If the Wisconsin Works agency determines that the appropriate placement for an individual is in unsubsidized employment or a trial employment match program job and that the individual needs and wishes to pursue basic education, including a course of study meeting the standards established under s. 115.29 (4) (a) for the granting of a declaration of equivalency of high school graduation, the Wisconsin Works agency shall pay for the basic education services identified in the employability plan developed for the individual.

(2) Unsubsidized employment.

(a) Job search, orientation and training activities.

1. An individual who applies for a Wisconsin Works employment position may be required by the Wisconsin Works agency to search for unsubsidized employment during the period that his or her application is being processed as a condition of eligibility. A participant in a Wisconsin Works employment position or who is receiving case management services under par. (am) shall search for unsubsidized employment throughout his or her participation. The department shall define by rule satisfactory search efforts for unsubsidized employment.

2. A Wisconsin Works agency may require an applicant for a Wisconsin Works employment position to participate in job orientation during the period that his or her application is being processed as a condition of eligibility. A Wisconsin Works agency may require a participant in a Wisconsin Works employment position or who is receiving case management services under par. (am) to engage in training activities in accordance with rules promulgated by the department as part of the participant's participation requirements.

(am) Case management services.

1. In lieu of placing the individual in a Wisconsin Works employment position under subs. (3) to (5), a Wisconsin Works agency may provide case management services, which may include those services specified in s. 49.1475, to an individual who applies for a Wisconsin Works employment position if the Wisconsin Works agency determines all of the following:

a. The individual meets the eligibility requirements under s. 49.145 (2) and (3).

b. The individual is willing to work and has no barriers to employment that cannot be addressed with Wisconsin Works services.

c. The individual is job-ready, based on the individual's employment history or education.

d. The most appropriate placement for the individual is in unsubsidized employment.

2. A Wisconsin Works agency shall, every 30 days, review the provision of case management services to an individual under this paragraph, if the individual is not successful in obtaining unsubsidized employment after legitimate efforts to secure employment, to determine whether the individual should be placed in a trial employment match program job, community service job, or transitional placement. The department shall promulgate rules that specify the criteria for the review process under this subdivision.

(b) Job search assistance. A Wisconsin Works agency shall assist a participant in his or her search for unsubsidized employment. In determining an appropriate placement for a participant, a Wisconsin Works agency shall give priority to placement in unsubsidized employment and providing case management services under par. (am) over placements under subs. (3) to (5).

(3) Trial employment match program.

(a) Administration. A Wisconsin Works agency shall administer a trial employment match program as part of its administration of the Wisconsin Works program to improve the employability of individuals who otherwise are not able to obtain unsubsidized employment, as determined by the Wisconsin Works agency, by providing work experience and training to assist them to move promptly into unsubsidized employment. In determining an appropriate placement for a participant, a Wisconsin Works agency shall give priority to placement under this subsection over placements under subs. (4) and (5).

(ac) Employer subsidies and reimbursements. The Wisconsin Works agency shall pay to an employer that employs a participant under this subsection a wage subsidy in an amount that is negotiated between the Wisconsin Works agency and the employer but that is not more than the state or federal minimum wage that applies to the participant. The wage subsidy shall be paid for each hour that the participant actually works, up to a maximum of 40 hours per week. The employer shall pay the participant any difference between the wage subsidy amount and the participant's wage and must pay the participant at least minimum wage. In addition to paying the wage subsidy, the Wisconsin Works agency may, as negotiated between the Wisconsin Works agency and the employer, reimburse the employer for all or a portion of other costs that are attributable to the employment of the participant, including any of the following:

1. Federal social security and Medicare taxes.

2. State and federal unemployment contributions or taxes.

3. Worker's compensation insurance premiums.

(am) Education or training activities. A trial employment match program job includes education and training activities, as prescribed by the employer as an integral part of work performed in trial employment match program employment.

(b) Worker's compensation. The employer shall provide the participant with worker's compensation coverage.

(c) Time-limited participation. A participant under this subsection may participate in a trial employment match program job for a maximum of 6 months, with an opportunity for a 3-month extension under circumstances determined by the Wisconsin Works agency. A participant may participate in more than one trial employment match program job, but may not exceed a total of 24 months of participation under this subsection. The months need not be consecutive. The department or, with the approval of the department, the Wisconsin Works agency may grant an extension of the 24-month limit on a case-by-case basis if the participant has made all appropriate efforts to find unsubsidized employment and has been unable to find unsubsidized employment because local labor market conditions preclude a reasonable job opportunity for that participant, as determined by a Wisconsin Works agency and approved by the department.

(d) Employer effort to retain, refer, or evaluate participant. An employer that employs a participant under this subsection and receives a wage subsidy shall agree to make a good faith effort to retain the participant as a permanent unsubsidized employee after the wage subsidy ends, although nothing in this subsection requires an employer to retain a participant as a permanent unsubsidized employee after the wage subsidy ends. An employer shall also agree that, if the employer does not retain a participant as a permanent unsubsidized employee, the employer will serve as an employment reference for the participant or provide to the Wisconsin Works agency a written performance evaluation of the participant, including recommendations for improvements.

(e) Noncustodial parents. Notwithstanding s. 49.145 (1) and (2) (a), an individual who would be eligible for a job under this subsection except that the individual is a noncustodial parent of a dependent child is eligible for placement under this subsection, subject to s. 49.159 (1) (b) 2., if the individual is eligible for services and benefits under s. 49.159 (1) (a).

(4) Community service job.

(a) Administration. A Wisconsin Works agency shall administer a community service job program as part of its administration of Wisconsin Works to improve the employability of an individual who is not otherwise able to obtain employment, as determined by the Wisconsin Works agency, by providing work experience and training, if necessary, to assist the individual to move promptly into unsubsidized public or private employment or a trial employment match program job. In determining an appropriate placement for a participant, a Wisconsin Works agency shall give placement under this subsection priority over placements under sub. (5). Community service jobs shall be limited to projects that the department determines would serve a useful public purpose or projects the cost of which is partially or wholly offset by revenue generated from such projects. After each 6 months of an individual's participation under this subsection and at the conclusion of each assignment under this subsection, a Wisconsin Works agency shall reassess the individual's employability.

(am) Education or training activities. A participant under this subsection may be required to participate in education and training activities assigned as part of an employability plan developed by the Wisconsin works agency. The department shall establish by rule permissible education and training under this paragraph, which shall include a course of study meeting the standards established under s. 115.29 (4) for the granting of a declaration of equivalency of high school graduation, technical college courses, employer-sponsored training, and educational courses that provide an employment skill. Permissible education under this paragraph shall also include English as a 2nd language courses that the Wisconsin works agency determines would facilitate an individual's efforts to obtain employment and adult basic education courses that the Wisconsin works agency determines would facilitate an individual's efforts to obtain employment.

(as) Required hours. Except as provided in pars. (at) and (av) and sub. (5m), a Wisconsin Works agency shall require a participant placed in a community service job program to work in a community service job for the number of hours determined by the Wisconsin Works agency to be appropriate for the participant at the time of application or review and may require a participant to participate in education or training activities for not more than 10 hours per week, except that the Wisconsin Works agency may not require a participant under this subsection to spend more than 40 hours per week in combined activities under this subsection.

(at) Motivational training. A Wisconsin Works agency may require a participant, during the first 2 weeks of participation under this subsection, to participate in an assessment and motivational training program. The Wisconsin Works agency may require not more than 40 hours of participation per week under this paragraph in lieu of the participation requirement under par. (as).

(av) Education for 18-year-old and 19-year-old students. A Wisconsin Works agency shall permit a participant under this subsection who has not attained the age of 20 and who has not obtained a high school diploma or a declaration of equivalency of high school graduation to attend high school or, at the option of the participant, to enroll in a course of study meeting the standards established under s. 115.29 (4) for the granting of a declaration of equivalency of high school graduation to satisfy, in whole or in part, the participation requirement under par. (as).

(b) Time-limited participation. An individual may participate in a community service job for a maximum of 6 months, with an opportunity for a 3-month extension under circumstances approved by the department. An individual may participate in more than one community service job, but may not exceed a total of 24 months of participation under this subsection. The months need not be consecutive. The department or, with the approval of the department, the Wisconsin Works agency may grant an extension to the 24-month limit on a case-by-case basis if the Wisconsin Works agency determines that the individual has made all appropriate efforts to find unsubsidized employment and has been unable to find unsubsidized employment because local labor market conditions preclude a reasonable employment opportunity in unsubsidized employment for that participant, as determined by a Wisconsin Works agency and approved by the department, and if the Wisconsin Works agency determines, and the department agrees, that no trial employment match program job opportunities are available in the specified local labor market.

(c) Worker's compensation. A participant under this subsection is an employee of the Wisconsin works agency for purposes of worker's compensation coverage, except to the extent that the person for whom the participant is performing work provides worker's compensation coverage.

(5) Transitional placement.

(a) Additional eligibility criteria. An individual is eligible to participate in a transitional placement under this subsection if, in addition to meeting the eligibility requirements under s. 49.145, any of the following conditions is met with respect to the individual:

1. The Wisconsin works agency determines, on the basis of an independent assessment by the division of vocational rehabilitation or similar agency or business, that the individual has been incapacitated, or will be incapacitated, for a period of at least 60 days.

2. The Wisconsin works agency determines that the individual is needed in the home because of the illness or incapacity of another member of the Wisconsin works group.

3. The Wisconsin Works agency determines that the individual is incapable of performing a trial employment match program job or community service job.

(b)

1. The Wisconsin Works agency shall assign a participant under this subsection to work activities such as a community rehabilitation program, as defined by the department, a job similar to a community service job, or a volunteer activity. A Wisconsin Works agency may require a participant under this subsection to participate in any of the following:

a. An alcohol and other drug abuse evaluation, assessment, and treatment program.

b. Mental health activities, as defined by the department by rule.

c. Counseling or physical rehabilitation activities.

d. Other activities that the Wisconsin Works agency determines are consistent with the capabilities of the individual.

2. An individual may participate in a transitional placement for a maximum of 24 months. The months need not be consecutive. This period may be extended on a case-by-case basis by the department or by the Wisconsin Works agency with the approval of the department.

(bm) Education or training activities. A participant under this subsection may be required to participate in education and training activities assigned as part of an employability plan developed by the Wisconsin works agency. The department shall establish by rule permissible education and training under this paragraph, which shall include a course of study meeting the standards established under s. 115.29 (4) for the granting of a declaration of equivalency of high school graduation, technical college courses, employer-sponsored training, and educational courses that provide an employment skill. Permissible education under this paragraph shall also include English as a 2nd language courses that the Wisconsin works agency determines would facilitate an individual's efforts to obtain employment and adult basic education courses that the Wisconsin works agency determines would facilitate an individual's efforts to obtain employment.

(bs) Required hours. Except as provided in par. (bt) and sub. (5m), a Wisconsin Works agency may require a participant placed in a transitional placement to participate in education or training activities for not more than 12 hours per week and to engage in activities under par. (b) 1., but may not require a participant under this subsection to spend more than 40 hours per week in combined activities under this subsection.

(bt) Motivational training. A Wisconsin Works agency may require a participant, during the first 2 weeks of participation under this subsection, to participate in an assessment and motivational training program. The Wisconsin Works agency may require not more than 40 hours of participation per week under this paragraph in lieu of the participation requirement under par. (bs).

(c) Worker's compensation. A participant under this subsection is an employee of the Wisconsin works agency for purposes of worker's compensation coverage, except to the extent that the person for whom the participant is performing work provides worker's compensation coverage.

(5m) Postsecondary education.

(a) To the extent permitted under 42 USC 607, and except as provided in par. (bL), a participant under sub. (4) or (5) may participate in a technical college education program as part of a community service job placement or transitional placement if all of the following requirements are met:

1. The Wisconsin works agency, in consultation with the community steering committee established under s. 49.143 (2) (a) and the technical college district board, determines that the technical college education program is likely to lead to employment.

2. The participant maintains full-time status in the technical college education program, as determined by the technical college that the participant attends, and regularly attends all classes.

3. The participant maintains a grade point average of at least 2.0, or the equivalent as determined by the technical college.

4. The participant is employed or engages in work under a community service job or transitional placement for 25 hours per week in addition to participation under this subsection.

(bL) A participant may participate under this subsection for the duration of the technical college education program, except that the participant may not participate under this subsection for more than 2 years.

(c) The Wisconsin works agency shall work with the community steering committee established under s. 49.143 (2) (a) and the technical college district board to monitor the participant's progress in the technical college education program and the effectiveness of the program in leading to employment.

(6) Job access loan.

(a) Additional eligibility criteria. Except as provided in par. (am), an individual is eligible to receive a job access loan if, in addition to meeting the eligibility requirements under s. 49.145, all of the following conditions are met with respect to the individual:

1. The individual needs the loan to address an immediate and discrete financial crisis. The crisis may not be the result of the individual's failure to accept a bona fide offer of employment or the individual's termination of a job without good cause.

2. The individual needs the loan to obtain or continue employment. Fulfillment of this requirement includes a loan that is needed to repair or purchase a vehicle that is needed to obtain or continue employment.

3. The individual is not in default with respect to the repayment of any previous job access loan or repayment of any grant or wage overpayments under this section.

4. The individual is not a migrant worker.

(am) Vehicle loan requirements.

1. An individual is not eligible to receive a job access loan to repair or purchase a vehicle if the individual does not possess a current and valid operator's license issued under ch. 343.

1m. An individual is not eligible to receive a job access loan to repair or purchase a vehicle unless the individual provides proof of a motor vehicle liability insurance policy as required under s. 344.62.

2. An individual who is on probation, parole, or extended supervision is not eligible to receive a job access loan to purchase a vehicle unless the individual provides proof that his or her probation, parole, or extended supervision agent has granted the individual permission to purchase a vehicle.

(b) Terms. The department shall promulgate rules establishing the terms of any job access loan, including all of the following:

1. The maximum and minimum loan amounts in any 12-month period.

3. The terms and conditions of repayment. The rules promulgated under this subdivision shall provide for repayment by performance of in-kind services. The rules shall establish criteria that the Wisconsin works agency shall use to approve in-kind repayment of loans.

(c) Funding and administration. From the appropriations under s. 20.437 (2) (jL) and (md), the department shall allocate funds for job access loans to Wisconsin Works agencies, which shall administer the loans in accordance with rules promulgated by the department.

(cm) Collection of delinquent repayments.

1. The department may, in the manner provided in s. 49.85, collect job access loan repayments that are delinquent under the terms of a repayment agreement. The department shall credit all delinquent repayments collected by the department of revenue as a setoff under s. 71.93 to the appropriation account under s. 20.437 (2) (jL). Use of the process under s. 49.85 does not preclude the department from collecting delinquent repayments through other legal means.

2. Subdivision 1. applies to delinquent repayments existing on or after July 26, 2003, regardless of when the loan was made or when the delinquency accrued.

(d) Minor custodial parents. An individual who would be eligible for a job access loan under par. (a), except that the individual has not attained the age of 18, is eligible under this paragraph if the individual meets the following requirements:

1. The individual is in an out-of-home placement or independent living arrangement supervised by an adult, as defined by the department.

2. The individual has graduated from high school or has met the standards established by the state superintendent of public instruction for the granting of a declaration of equivalency of high school graduation under s. 115.29 (4).

3. The individual will be 18 years old within 2 months after applying for the job access loan.

(e) Noncustodial parents. Notwithstanding s. 49.145 (1) and (2) (a), an individual who would be eligible for a job access loan under par. (a) except that the individual is a noncustodial parent of a dependent child is eligible to receive a job access loan under this subsection.

History: 1995 a. 289; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 33; 2005 a. 25; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 28, 333; 2011 a. 32, 257; 2013 a. 20; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 80.

Placement in unsubsidized employment, by its definition, requires that there be employment. Employment is not an ambiguous term. A placement requiring employment cannot be construed to be appropriate for individuals who are unemployed but ready for employment. Weston v. Department of Workforce Development, 2007 WI App 167, 304 Wis. 2d 418, 737 N.W.2d 74, 06-1276.