Chapter 49

49.168(1) (1) In this section, “national reading program” means a national program that has been in existence since at least 2003 and that mails age-appropriate books to children from birth to age 5 at no cost and regardless of their family income.

49.168(2) (2) The department shall establish a program to award grants, from the appropriation under s. 20.437 (1) (em), to nonprofit organizations for the provision of books to young children. A nonprofit organization is eligible for a grant under this section as reimbursement for up to 50 percent of the costs it incurs in purchasing books in partnership with a national reading program to provide age-appropriate books to children from birth to age 5 at no cost and regardless of their family income. A single grant under this section may not exceed $10,000.

49.168 History History: 2023 a. 191.

49.169 49.169 Literacy grants.

49.169(2) (2) The department may award grants to qualified applicants for the provision of literacy training to individuals who are eligible for temporary assistance for needy families under 42 USC 601 et seq.

49.169(4) (4) The department, in consultation with the technical college system board, the department of public instruction, and the governor’s office, shall develop written criteria to be used to evaluate any grant proposals and to allocate any grants under this section among successful grant applicants.

49.169(5) (5) The department shall require grant recipients to coordinate with the appropriate Wisconsin works agencies to ensure that those participants in Wisconsin works who are served by those Wisconsin works agencies and who need literacy training receive adequate literacy training.

49.169 History History: 1999 a. 9; 2003 a. 33.

49.175 49.175 Public assistance and local assistance allocations.

49.175(1) (1) Allocation of funds. Except as provided in sub. (2), within the limits of the appropriations under s. 20.437 (2) (a), (cm), (dz), (k), (kx), (L), (mc), (md), (me), and (s) and (3) (kp), the department shall allocate the following amounts for the following purposes:

49.175(1)(a) (a) Wisconsin Works benefits. For Wisconsin Works benefits, $37,000,000 in fiscal year 2021-22 and $34,000,000 in fiscal year 2022-23. In fiscal year 2023-24, for such benefits, $28,000,000. In fiscal year 2024-25, for such benefits, $29,000,000.

49.175(1)(b) (b) Wisconsin Works agency contracts; job access loans. For contracts with Wisconsin Works agencies under s. 49.143 and for job access loans under s. 49.147 (6), $54,009,700 in fiscal year 2021-22 and $57,071,200 in each fiscal year thereafter.

49.175(1)(c) (c) Case management incentive payments. For supplement payments to individuals under s. 49.255, $2,700,000 in each fiscal year.

49.175(1)(d) (d) Families and Schools Together. For the families and schools together program in 5 Milwaukee elementary schools to be chosen by the department, $250,000 in each fiscal year.

49.175(1)(f) (f) Homeless case management services grants. For grants to shelter facilities under s. 16.3085, $500,000 in each fiscal year. All moneys allocated under this paragraph shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.505 (7) (kg).

49.175(1)(fa) (fa) Homeless case management services grants; additional funding. For grants to shelter facilities under s. 16.3085, $500,000 in each fiscal year. All moneys allocated under this paragraph shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.865 (4) (g) for the purpose of supplementing the appropriation under s. 20.505 (7) (kg).

49.175(1)(g) (g) State administration of public assistance programs and overpayment collections. For state administration of public assistance programs and the collection of public assistance overpayments, $17,231,100 in fiscal year 2021-22 and $17,482,300 in fiscal year 2022-23. In fiscal year 2023-24, for such purposes, $19,015,300. In fiscal year 2024-25, for such purposes, $19,424,300.

49.175(1)(h) (h) Public assistance program fraud and error reduction. For activities to reduce fraud under s. 49.197 (1m) and activities to reduce payment errors under s. 49.197 (3), $605,500 in each fiscal year.

49.175(1)(i) (i) Emergency assistance. For emergency assistance under s. 49.138 and for transfer to the department of administration for low-income energy or weatherization assistance programs, $6,000,000 in each fiscal year.

49.175(1)(j) (j) Grants for providing civil legal services. For the grants under s. 49.1635 (5) to Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation, Inc., for distribution to programs that provide civil legal services to low-income families, $500,000 in each fiscal year.

49.175(1)(k) (k) Transform Milwaukee and Transitional Jobs programs. For contract costs under the Transform Milwaukee Jobs program and the Transitional Jobs program under s. 49.163, $9,500,000 in each fiscal year.

49.175(1)(L) (L) Adult literacy grants. For grants to qualified applicants under s. 49.169 to provide literacy training to adults who are eligible for temporary assistance for needy families under 42 USC 601 et seq., $118,100 in each fiscal year.

49.175(1)(Lm) (Lm) Jobs for America’s Graduates. For grants to the Jobs for America’s Graduates-Wisconsin to fund programs that improve social, academic, and employment skills of youth who are eligible to receive temporary assistance for needy families under 42 USC 601 et seq., in each fiscal year, $1,000,000.

49.175(1)(Lp) (Lp) Skills enhancement program. For skills enhancement grants, $500,000 in each fiscal year.

49.175(1)(m) (m) Children first. For services under the work experience program for noncustodial parents under s. 49.36, $1,140,000 in each fiscal year.

49.175(1)(n) (n) Fostering futures: connections count. For funding community connectors to interact with vulnerable families with young children and to connect families with formal and informal community support, $560,300 in each fiscal year.

49.175(1)(o) (o) Evidence-based substance abuse prevention grants. For grants awarded under s. 48.545 (2) (c), $500,000 in each fiscal year.

49.175(1)(p) (p) Direct child care services. For direct child care services under s. 49.155 or 49.257, $376,700,400 in fiscal year 2021-22 and $383,900,400 in fiscal year 2022-23. In fiscal year 2023-24, for such direct child care services, $368,834,800. In fiscal year 2024-25, for such direct child care services, $428,779,700.

49.175(1)(q) (q) Child care state administration and licensing activities. For state administration of child care programs under s. 49.155 and for child care licensing activities, $42,117,800 in fiscal year 2021-22 and $41,803,100 in fiscal year 2022-23. In fiscal year 2023-24, for such programs and activities, $45,796,000. In fiscal year 2024-25, for such programs and activities, $45,570,300.

49.175(1)(qm) (qm) Quality care for quality kids. For the child care quality improvement activities specified in ss. 49.155 (1g) and 49.257, $16,683,700 in fiscal year 2022-23. In fiscal year 2023-24, for such activities, $28,518,700. In fiscal year 2024-25, for such activities, $46,018,700.

49.175(1)(r) (r) Children of recipients of supplemental security income. For payments made under s. 49.775 for the support of the dependent children of recipients of supplemental security income, $18,564,700 in fiscal year 2021-22 and $18,145,000 in fiscal year 2022-23. In fiscal year 2023-24, for such payments, $9,699,900. In fiscal year 2024-25, for such payments, $10,990,400.

49.175(1)(s) (s) Kinship care and long-term kinship care assistance. For kinship care and long-term kinship care payments under s. 48.57 (3m) (am) and (3n) (am), for assessments to determine eligibility for those payments, and for agreements under s. 48.57 (3t) with the governing bodies of Indian tribes for the administration of the kinship care and long-term kinship care programs within the boundaries of the reservations of those tribes, $28,727,100 in fiscal year 2021-22 and $31,441,800 in fiscal year 2022-23. In fiscal year 2023-24, for such payments, $31,719,200. In fiscal year 2024-25, for such payments, $35,661,000.

49.175(1)(t) (t) Safety and out-of-home placement services. For services provided to ensure the safety of children who the department or a county determines may remain at home if appropriate services are provided, and for services provided to families with children placed in out-of-home care, $10,314,300 in each fiscal year. To receive funding under this paragraph, a county shall match a percentage of the amount received that is equal to the percentage the county is required to match for a distribution under s. 48.563 (2) as specified by the schedule established by the department under s. 48.569 (1) (d).

49.175(1)(u) (u) Prevention services. For services to prevent child abuse or neglect, $6,789,600 in each fiscal year.

49.175(1)(uk) (uk) Grants for prevention services. For grants to counties, nonprofit organizations, or tribes to fund child abuse and neglect prevention services, $500,000 in each fiscal year. The department shall award the grants with the purpose of encouraging innovative practices aimed at reducing the contact that families have with the child welfare system and preventing the removal of children from their homes. A grant recipient shall provide matching funds equal to 9.89 percent of the grant amount awarded. The department shall conduct an evaluation of the effectiveness of the grant program in achieving its stated goals and, by June 30, 2021, and each odd-numbered year thereafter, shall submit a report on that evaluation to the appropriate standing committees under s. 13.172 (3).

49.175(1)(v) (v) General education development. For general education development testing and preparation for individuals who are eligible for temporary assistance for needy families under 42 USC 601 et seq., $241,300 in each fiscal year.

49.175(1)(w) (w) Wisconsin Community Services. For a grant to Wisconsin Community Services for the community building workshop facilitator training to provide services that are targeted to individuals in the city of Milwaukee who are eligible for funds under the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant program under 42 USC 601 et seq., $400,000 in each fiscal year.

49.175(1)(z) (z) Grants to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. For grants to the Wisconsin Chapter of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America to fund programs that improve social, academic, and employment skills of youth who are eligible to receive temporary assistance for needy families under 42 USC 601 et seq., focusing on study habits, intensive tutoring in math and English, and exposure to career options and role models, $2,807,000 in each fiscal year. Grants provided under this paragraph may not be used by the grant recipient to replace funding for programs that are being funded, when the grant proceeds are received, with moneys other than those from the appropriations specified in sub. (1) (intro.). The total amount of the grants includes funds for the BE GREAT: Graduate program in the amount of matching funds that the program provides, up to $1,532,000 in each fiscal year, to be used only for activities for which federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant moneys may be used.

49.175(1)(zh) (zh) Earned income tax credit supplement. For the transfer of moneys from the appropriation account under s. 20.437 (2) (md) to the appropriation account under s. 20.835 (2) (kf) for the earned income tax credit, $63,600,000 in fiscal year 2021-22 and $66,600,000 in fiscal year 2022-23. In fiscal year 2023-24, for such purposes, $61,725,000. In fiscal year 2024-25, for such purposes, $65,002,000.

49.175(2) (2) Reallocation of funds.

49.175(2)(a) (a) The department may not reallocate funds that are allocated under a paragraph under sub. (1) for any purpose specified in a paragraph under sub. (1) unless the department first notifies the joint committee on finance in writing of the proposed reallocation. If the cochairpersons of the committee do not notify the department within 14 working days after the date of the department’s notification that the committee has scheduled a meeting to review the proposed reallocation, the department may make the proposed reallocation. If, within 14 working days after the date of the department’s notification, the cochairpersons of the committee notify the department that the committee has scheduled a meeting to review the proposed reallocation, the department may make the proposed reallocation only upon approval of the committee.

49.175(2)(c) (c) If the amounts of federal block grant moneys that are required to be credited to the appropriation accounts under s. 20.437 (2) (mc) and (md) are less than the amounts appropriated under s. 20.437 (2) (mc) and (md), the department shall submit a plan to the joint committee on finance for reducing the amounts of moneys allocated under sub. (1). If the cochairpersons of the committee do not notify the department within 14 working days after the date the department submits the plan that the committee has scheduled a meeting to review the proposed reduction plan, the department shall allocate the moneys as specified in the plan. If, within 14 working days after the date the department submits the plan, the cochairpersons of the committee notify the department that the committee has scheduled a meeting to review the proposed reduction plan, the department may allocate the moneys as specified in the plan only upon approval of the committee.

49.175(3) (3) Limit on certain funds. Moneys from the appropriation account under s. 20.437 (3) (kp) for the allocations specified in sub. (1) shall be limited to $4,730,300 and may be expended only for obligations incurred between October 1, 2015, and September 30, 2016.

49.175 History History: 1997 a. 27, 105, 236, 237, 252, 318; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 16, 104, 109; 2003 a. 33, 321, 327; 2005 a. 25, 254; 2007 a. 5, 20, 226; 2009 a. 2, 28; 2011 a. 10, 13, 32; 2013 a. 20, 113; 2015 a. 55, 172; 2017 a. 59, 236, 254, 261, 370; 2019 a. 9; 2021 a. 58; 2023 a. 19.

49.19 49.19 Aid to families with dependent children.

49.19(1) (1) 

49.19(1)(a) (a) In this section, “dependent child” means a child under the age of 18 or, if the child is a full-time student at a secondary school or its vocational or technical equivalent and is reasonably expected to complete the program before reaching 19, is under the age of 19, who:

49.19(1)(a)1. 1. Has been deprived of parental support or care by reason of the death, continued absence from the home other than absence occasioned solely by reason of the performance of active duty in the uniformed services of the United States, unemployment or incapacity of a parent; and

49.19(1)(a)2. 2.

49.19(1)(a)2.a. a. Is living with a parent; a blood relative, including those of half-blood, and including first cousins, nephews or nieces and persons of preceding generations as denoted by prefixes of grand, great or great-great; a stepfather, stepmother, stepbrother or stepsister; a person who legally adopts the child or is the adoptive parent of the child’s parent, a natural or legally adopted child of such person or a relative of an adoptive parent; or a spouse of any person named in this subparagraph even if the marriage is terminated by death or divorce; and is living in a residence maintained by one or more of these relatives as the child’s or their own home, or living in a residence maintained by one or more of these relatives as the child’s or their own home because the parents of the child have been found unfit to have care and custody of the child; or

49.19(1)(a)2.b. b. Is living in a foster home licensed under s. 48.62 if a license is required under that section, in a foster home located within the boundaries of a federally recognized American Indian reservation in this state and licensed by the tribal governing body of the reservation, in a group home licensed under s. 48.625, or in a residential care center for children and youth licensed under s. 48.60, and has been placed in the foster home, group home, or center by a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22, or 46.23, by the department, by the department of corrections, or by a federally recognized American Indian tribal governing body in this state under an agreement with a county department.

49.19(1)(b) (b) Any individual may apply for aid to families with dependent children and shall have opportunity to do so. Application for aid shall be made on forms prescribed by the department. Any person having knowledge that any child is dependent upon the public for proper support or that the interest of the public requires that such child be granted aid may bring the facts to the notice of an agency administering such aid in the county in which the child resides.

49.19(1)(c) (c)

49.19(1)(c)1. 1. “Aid to families with dependent children” means money payments with respect to, or vendor payments as prescribed by the department, or medical care in behalf of or any type of remedial care recognized under subs. (1) to (10) or s. 49.46 or necessary burial expenses as defined in sub. (5) in behalf of a dependent child or dependent children.

49.19(1)(c)2. 2. “Aid to families with dependent children” also includes such aid to meet the needs of the relative with whom any dependent child is living and the spouse of the relative if:

49.19(1)(c)2.a. a. The spouse is living with the relative, the relative is the child’s parent and the child is a dependent child by reason of the physical or mental incapacity of a parent; or

49.19(1)(c)2.b. b. The spouse is a convicted offender permitted to live at home but precluded from earning a wage because the spouse is required by a court imposed sentence to perform unpaid public work or unpaid community service.

49.19(1)(c)3. 3. “Aid to families with dependent children” also includes payments made to another individual not a relative enumerated under par. (a), pursuant to federal regulations, if:

49.19(1)(c)3.a. a. The individual has been appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction as a legal representative of the dependent child; or

49.19(1)(c)3.b. b. The individual who may be a caseworker has been designated by the county department under s. 46.215 or 46.22 to receive payment of the aid or cash payments to recipients who are engaged in an approved work relief or training project.

49.19(1)(d) (d) The rate of payment for skilled nursing care provided under this section shall be determined by the county under guidelines established by the department pursuant to s. 49.45 (6m). Payment for limited care shall not exceed 90 percent of the applicable Title XIX skilled care rate. Payment for personal care shall not exceed 80 percent of the applicable Title XIX skilled care rate.

49.19(1)(e) (e) In this section, “strike” has the meaning provided in 29 USC 142 (2).

49.19(2) (2) 

49.19(2)(a) (a) A home visit may be made at the option of the county to investigate the circumstances of the child before granting aid. The department may, however, require a county to make a home visit for this purpose if the department finds that a need exists. A report upon a home visit shall be made in writing and become a part of the record in the case. Every applicant shall be promptly notified in writing of the disposition of his or her application. Aid shall be furnished with reasonable promptness to any eligible individual.

49.19(2)(am) (am) A county department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23 may not accept a rent receipt to verify the residence of an applicant for or recipient of aid under this section unless the receipt shows the name, address and home and business telephone numbers of the landlord or the landlord’s designee.

49.19(2)(b) (b) Recipients of aid under this section shall, as a condition for continued receipt of the aid, provide accurate monthly reports of any circumstances which may affect their eligibility or the amount of assistance. The department shall promulgate rules selecting categories of recipients who may report less frequently in order to reduce administrative expense and shall specify monthly dates by which reports shall be submitted.

49.19(2)(c) (c) An alien shall provide the department with reports the department requires to determine eligibility and the amount of aid, including reports about the alien’s sponsor.

49.19(2)(d) (d) Eligibility for aid to families with dependent children for any month shall be based on estimated income, resources, family size and other similar relevant circumstances during that month. The amount of aid for any month shall be based on income and other relevant circumstances in the first or, at the option of the department, the 2nd month preceding such a month, except that the amount of aid in the first month or, at the option of the department, the first and 2nd months of a period of consecutive months for which aid is payable is based on estimated income and other relevant circumstances in such first month or first and 2nd months. The department may promulgate rules establishing payment and reporting months as needed to administer this paragraph.

49.19(2)(p) (p) Any person who has conveyed, transferred or disposed of any asset that would be included in determining the value of assets under sub. (4) (bm) within 2 years prior to the date of making application, or of redetermination of eligibility, for benefits under this section at less than fair market value shall, unless shown to the contrary, be presumed to have made the transfer, conveyance or disposition in contemplation of receiving benefits under this section and shall be ineligible to receive the benefits thereafter until the uncompensated value of the asset is expended by or on behalf of the person for his or her maintenance needs, including needs for medical care. The department shall promulgate rules for the administration of this paragraph. This paragraph shall apply to the extent permitted under federal law.

49.19(3) (3) 

49.19(3)(a) (a) After the investigation and report and a finding of eligibility, aid as defined in sub. (1) shall be granted by the county department under s. 46.215 or 46.22 as the best interest of the child requires. No such aid shall be furnished any person for any period during which that person is receiving supplemental security income or for any month if, on the last day of the month, that person is participating in a strike or to any person who fails to apply for or provide such social security account numbers as required by federal law.

49.19(3)(b) (b) If the county department under s. 46.215 or 46.22 finds a person eligible for aid under this section, that county department shall, on a form to be prescribed by the department, direct the payment of such aid by order upon the secretary of administration. Payment of aid shall be made monthly, based on a calendar month or fiscal month as defined by the department; except that the director of the county department may, in his or her discretion for the purpose of protecting the public, direct that the monthly allowance be paid in accordance with sub. (5) (c).

49.19(4) (4) The aid shall be granted only upon the following conditions:

49.19(4)(a) (a) There must be a dependent child who is living with the person charged with its care and custody and dependent upon the public for proper support. Aid may also be granted for minors other than to those specified, but not for a dependent child 18 years of age or older who is living in a home or institution specified under sub. (1) (a) 2. b.

49.19(4)(b) (b) The person applying for aid has allowed the county department under s. 46.215 or 46.22 15 to 30 days to process his or her application and, if not already a resident of the county, has notified the county department under s. 46.215 or 46.22 of his or her intent to establish residence in the county. The effective date of eligibility for aid to eligible individuals is the date the applicant submits a signed and completed application to the county department under s. 46.215 or 46.22, or the first date on which the applicant meets all of the eligibility criteria, whichever is later.

49.19(4)(bm) (bm) The person applying for aid shall document, to the department’s satisfaction, actual income as claimed in the application, and shall reveal all assets. Except as specified in par. (br), aid is available only if the combined equity value of assets does not exceed $1,000. One automobile with an equity value not exceeding $1,500, one home, as specified in par. (e), and, for each person, one burial plot and one burial agreement under s. 445.125 (1) (a) 2. and 3. with a value of not more than $1,500 may not be included when determining the combined equity value of assets. Any amount received under section 32 of the internal revenue code, as defined in s. 71.01 (6), and any payment made by an employer under section 3507 of the internal revenue code, as defined in s. 71.01 (6), may not be included in determining the combined equity value of assets in the month of receipt and the following month.

49.19(4)(br) (br) Aid may be paid for up to 9 months to an otherwise eligible owner of real property other than that specified under par. (bm) and that real property may be excluded as an asset for up to 9 months if all of the following conditions are met:

49.19(4)(br)1. 1. The owner enters into a signed, written agreement with the county department under s. 46.215 or 46.22 that he or she shall make a good faith effort to sell the real property and repay the amount of aid granted during the asset exclusion period up to the amount of net proceeds of the sale of the real property.

49.19(4)(br)2. 2. The net proceeds of the sale of the real property plus the combined equity value of all other countable assets exceed $1,000 on the date of the agreement made under subd. 1.

49.19(4)(bu) (bu)

49.19(4)(bu)1. 1. The department shall request a waiver from the secretary of the federal department of health and human services to allow a recipient of aid under this section to accumulate funds in an education and employability account, as described in subd. 2., the first $10,000 in which is not considered against the amount of assets that a recipient is allowed to own under par. (bm). If the waiver is granted, the department shall promulgate rules to implement the waiver and shall implement the waiver beginning no sooner than January 1, 1995. Subdivision 2. does not apply unless the waiver is in effect.

49.19(4)(bu)2. 2. The department may authorize a person to establish an education and employability account at a financial institution, as defined in s. 705.01 (3), after the person is determined to be eligible for aid under this section. The first $10,000 in the account is not considered against the asset limit if the person provides to the county department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23, at the time of establishing the account and at other times required by the department, a signed statement identifying the financial institution, the account number of the account and the amount in the account. Interest earned on the account and retained in the account is not considered income under this section. Money withdrawn from the education and employability account will be considered income in the month that it is withdrawn unless it is used for one of the following purposes:

49.19(4)(bu)2.a. a. The recipient’s own education or training or the education or training of his or her child.

49.19(4)(bu)2.b. b. Improving the employability of a member of the family.

49.19(4)(bu)2.d. d. Not more than $200 every 12 months for emergency needs, as determined by the county department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23.

49.19(4)(by) (by) No later than September 1, 1992, the department shall request a waiver from the secretary of the federal department of health and human services under which the equity value of automobiles with a total equity value of not more than $2,500 would not be included when determining the combined equity value of assets under par. (bm). If the waiver is granted, the equity value of automobiles with a total equity value of not more than $2,500 shall not be included when determining the combined equity value of assets under par. (bm), rather than one automobile with an equity value not exceeding $1,500.

49.19(4)(c) (c) The person having the care and custody of the dependent child must be fit and proper to have the child. Aid shall not be denied by the county department under s. 46.215 or 46.22 on the grounds that a person is not fit and proper to have the care and custody of the child until the county department obtains a finding substantiating that fact from a court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under chs. 48 and 938 or other court of competent jurisdiction; but in appropriate cases it is the responsibility of the county department to petition under ch. 48 or refer the case to a proper child protection agency.

49.19(4)(d) (d) Aid may be granted to the mother or stepmother of a dependent child if she is without a husband or if she:

49.19(4)(d)1. 1. Is the wife of a husband who is incapacitated for gainful work by mental or physical disability; or