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July 1, 2026

43 Section 5.1.6 Learnfare Participation in the Learnfare program is an approved activity for teen parents whose parent is enrolled in Wisconsin Works (W-2). See the Wisconsin Works (W-2) Manual Chapter 16 for more information about Learnfare.

This section last updated 10/1/2023

Section 5.2 Parents with Medical Exemptions In a two-parent or three-generation household, a parent with a permanent or temporary medical condition may be eligible for a medical exemption from the approved activity requirement. An individual who is the only parent in the Assistance Group (AG) is not eligible for a medical exemption but may be eligible for a Temporary Break Period (TBRK) (see 5.3).

Some parents may be unable to participate in an approved activity due to a medical condition. These conditions may be temporary or permanent.

To be exempt from the approved activity requirement, the parent must provide documentation from a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, psychiatrist, or psychologist that indicates the parent is both:

• Unable to care for children while another parent in the AG participates in an approved activity, and • Unable to participate in any approved activity.

Note: When obtaining health-related information, certain confidentiality requirements must be met. For more information about these requirements, see Section 2.3.

Agency workers may provide parents with the Wisconsin Shares Parent Medical Exemption form (DCF-F-5566) to assist them with obtaining documentation. Parents should then give the form to the physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, psychiatrist, or psychologist who will be providing the information. Use of the form is voluntary; the required information could be provided on medical facility letterhead or an email directly from the provider instead of completion of the form.

The exemption may be temporary or permanent depending on what is indicated on the medical documentation. When a parent in a two-parent or three-generation household has a temporary leave of absence for a medical reason from their approved activity, they must first be evaluated for a medical exemption. If they do not meet the criteria for a medical exemption, then they must be evaluated for TBRK eligibility (see 5.3). If the condition is permanent, the parent must meet the criteria above for a medical exemption to be eligible for Wisconsin Shares.