11.6.3 Penalty for Refusal to Participate

The penalty for refusing to participate in W-2 Wisconsin Works is ineligibility to participate in W-2 for three months. Three months means 90 calendar days.

The period of ineligibility begins the calendar day after the seven-working-day timeframe to rectify a refusal to participate. The following table provides an example timeline.

Event Date The last day of the seven working day timeframe for a participant to rectify a refusal to participate. Friday, November 16, 2024 If a participant does not rectify the refusal to participate, the period of ineligibility begins the following calendar day. Saturday, November 17, 2024 The period of ineligibility ends the 90th calendar day. Wednesday, February 13, 2025 The participant may reapply for W-2 and be eligible for W-2 services beginning the calendar day after the 90-day ineligibility period. Thursday, February 14, 2025

After the 90-day penalty period, the individual may reapply for W-2 services. Eligibility for W-2 is not automatically reinstated.

For applicants applying after the conclusion of a penalty period, the W-2 agency must not apply the nonfinancial eligibility requirements that the applicant:

Made a good faith effort to obtain employment and not refused any bona fide offer of employment within 180 calendar days immediately preceding application; and (See 2.2.1 , #8)

Cooperated with the W-2 agency’s assistance with finding employment if the current application is within 180 calendar days of a previous application. (See 2.2.1 , #9)

There is no limit to the number of penalties that a participant may receive for refusing to participate in W-2.

The W-2 agency may impose subsequent refusal to participate penalties after the individual has completed the 90-day penalty period, re-enrolled in the W-2 program, and then refused to participate again.