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TANF Section, WIOA Combined Plan Modifications 2026

4 • Families benefit from participating in W-2. • W-2 matches the employment needs of parents with the needs of local employers.

(See W-2 Manual Chapter 1.)

Community Steering Committees To strengthen the connection between the employment focus of W-2 and real employment opportunities in local areas, Wisconsin requires its contracted W-2 agencies to establish Community Steering Committees to identify and encourage employers to create work- experience opportunities, subsidized employment opportunities, and permanent unsubsidized jobs for W-2 participants. W-2 agencies are required to appoint to the committees at least one representative of business interests, and each county served by the W-2 agency must be represented on a steering committee by a member of the business community in that county or by a person from a city or county economic development department in that county. These committees are required to coordinate with local workforce investment boards and must appoint a chairperson that represents business interests. Wis. Stat. § 49.143(2)(a).

W-2 Program Eligibility There are five categories of individuals who may be eligible for W-2 services: 1. Individuals age 18 or older who are custodial parents of minor children; 2. Individuals age 18 or older who are Non-Custodial Parents (NCPs) of minor children and the subject of a child support order, if the custodial parent of the minor children is participating in W-2 or the Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy; 3. Individuals under age 18 who are custodial parents of minor children; 4. Pregnant women age 18 or older who are not custodial parents; and 5. Unmarried pregnant women age 18 or older who are in their third trimester of an at-risk pregnancy that results in their inability to work.

Custodial parents may be eligible for all W-2 services. Minor parents and NCPs may be eligible for W-2 case management services and Job Access Loans (JAL). An NCP may also be eligible for a monetary stipend for up to four months or a Trial Employment Match Program (TEMP) job. Pregnant women who are not custodial parents are eligible for case- management services. Those in their third trimester of an at-risk pregnancy that renders them unable to work may be eligible for cash assistance.

W-2 Program Financial and Non-financial Eligibility Requirements Financial Eligibility Requirements The W-2 group’s income must be at or below 115 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). All earned and unearned income of all the W-2 group members is counted in determining the 115 percent gross income test, with the exception of the following: • Tax Refunds; • Educational aid; • Federally funded benefits; and • Earned income of a dependent child. (Wis. Stat. § 49.145(3)(b))