Chapter 49

49.791(5)(b) (b) Referral for treatment; monitoring. The applicable administering agency shall provide to every able-bodied adult who is required to participate in treatment under par. (a) information about treatment programs and county-specific assessment and enrollment activities required for entry into treatment. The applicable administering agency shall monitor the able-bodied adult’s progress in entering and completing treatment and the results of random testing for the use of a controlled substance carried out during and at the conclusion of treatment.

49.791(5)(c) (c) Evaluation and assessment. A treatment provider shall conduct a trauma-informed substance abuse evaluation and assessment of each able-bodied adult and take any of the following actions, as appropriate, based on the evaluation and assessment:

49.791(5)(c)1. 1. If the treatment provider determines the able-bodied adult does not need treatment, notify the administering agency that the able-bodied adult does not need treatment.

49.791(5)(c)2. 2. If the treatment provider determines the able-bodied adult is in need of treatment, refer the individual to an appropriate treatment program to begin treatment and notify the administering agency of the referral and the expected start date and duration of treatment.

49.791(5)(c)3. 3. If a treatment provider determines the able-bodied adult is in need of treatment but is unable to refer the adult because there is a waiting list for enrollment, enter the able-bodied adult on the waiting list and notify the administering agency of the date the adult is expected to be enrolled.

49.791(5)(d) (d) Eligibility when treatment not needed or on waiting list.

49.791(5)(d)1. 1. An able-bodied adult described in par. (c) 1. is determined to have satisfied the requirements of this section and is eligible under this section to participate in an employment and training program.

49.791(5)(d)2. 2. An able-bodied adult who is on a waiting list for enrollment in an appropriate treatment program under par. (c) 3. shall continue to take all necessary steps to continue seeking enrollment in the appropriate treatment program. The able-bodied adult is eligible under this section to participate in an employment and training program while on the waiting list if the adult is not eligible for immediate enrollment in another appropriate treatment program.

49.791(5)(e) (e) Satisfying treatment requirement through another program. An administering agency shall accept as satisfying the requirements of this subsection participation in any treatment program. The able-bodied adult satisfying the requirements of this subsection by participating in another treatment program shall execute a release of information to allow the administering agency to obtain verification of successful participation in that treatment program.

49.791(5)(f) (f) Effects of refusal to submit to treatment. An able-bodied adult who is required to participate in treatment under par. (a) but who refuses to participate in treatment by doing any of the following is ineligible to participate in the employment and training program until the individual agrees to participate in treatment while still eligible for the food stamp program:

49.791(5)(f)1. 1. Failing or refusing to complete a form or release required for treatment program administration, including a form or release required by the treatment provider in order to share information with the administering agency about the able-bodied adult’s participation in treatment.

49.791(5)(f)2. 2. Failing or refusing to participate in a controlled substance test required by the treatment provider or the administering agency during the course of required treatment, including any random controlled substance testing directed by the treatment provider or administering agency.

49.791(5)(f)3. 3. Failing or refusing to meet attendance or participation requirements established by the treatment provider.

49.791(5)(f)4. 4. Failing or refusing to complete a substance abuse assessment.

49.791(5)(g) (g) Completion of required treatment. An able-bodied adult required under par. (a) to participate in treatment is considered to have successfully completed treatment if all applicable components identified under par. (c) are satisfied.

49.791(5)(h) (h) Work requirements while in treatment. An able-bodied adult who is participating in an employment and training program is exempt from complying with requirements to work a specified number of hours under s. 49.79 (9) or (10) while participating in treatment under this subsection.

49.791(6) (6) Effect of completion, withdrawal, or termination from employment and training program. An able-bodied adult who satisfies any of the following is no longer subject to s. 49.79 (9) (d) or this section:

49.791(6)(a) (a) The able-bodied adult has completed or voluntarily withdrawn from participation in an employment and training program.

49.791(6)(b) (b) The able-bodied adult is terminated from an employment and training program for reasons unrelated to this section.

49.791(6)(c) (c) The able-bodied adult is no longer subject to the requirements of s. 49.79 (10).

49.791(7) (7) Confidentiality of records. Completed screening questionnaires, prescriptions, testing results, and treatment records relating to this section may not be disclosed except for purposes connected with the administration of an employment and training program or except when disclosure is otherwise authorized by law or by written consent from the individual who is the subject of the record. The department may establish administrative, physical, and technical safeguard procedures administering agencies must follow to assure compliance with state and federal laws related to public assistance program records, drug testing and treatment records, and medical records.

49.791(8) (8) Appeals. An adverse decision under this section may be appealed under 7 CFR 273.15 and procedures established in rules promulgated by the division of hearings and appeals.

49.791(9) (9) Payment of costs for screening, testing, and treatment.

49.791(9)(a) (a) The department shall pay for all costs related to screening able-bodied adults under sub. (3), including the costs of producing, administering, and reviewing screening questionnaires.

49.791(9)(b) (b) The department shall pay for all costs related to testing able-bodied adults under sub. (4), including any costs related to contracting with qualified drug testing vendors under sub. (4) (c).

49.791(9)(c) (c) The department shall pay costs for treatment under sub. (5) that are not covered by the Medical Assistance program under subch. IV of ch. 49 or other private insurance. Payments by the department under this paragraph shall be at rates no higher than the rates paid for comparable services under the Medical Assistance program.

49.791 History History: 2017 a. 370.

49.793 49.793 Recovery of food stamps.

49.793(1) (1) The department or a county, a multicounty consortium, as defined in s. 49.78 (1) (br), or an elected governing body of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band acting on behalf of the department, may recover overpayments that arise from an overissuance of food coupons under the food stamp program administered under s. 46.215 (1) (k) or 46.22 (1) (b) 2. d. Recovery shall be made in accordance with 7 USC 2022.

49.793(2) (2) 

49.793(2)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), a county, multicounty consortium, as defined in s. 49.78 (1) (br), or governing body of a federally recognized American Indian tribe may retain a portion of the amount of an overpayment the state is authorized to retain under 7 USC 2025 that is recovered under sub. (1) due to the efforts of an employee or officer of the county, multicounty consortium, or tribe. The department shall promulgate a rule establishing the portion of the amount of the overpayment that the county, multicounty consortium, or governing body may retain. This paragraph does not apply to recovery of an overpayment that was made as a result of state, county, multicounty consortium, or tribal governing body error.

49.793(2)(b) (b) Any amount that Milwaukee County would otherwise be entitled to retain under par. (a) for the recovery of an overpayment due to the efforts of a department employee or officer, or a county employee or officer under the management of the department, shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.435 (4) (L).

49.793 History History: 2001 a. 16 ss. 1656ty, 1656tym; Stats. 2001 s. 49.793; 2009 a. 15; 2011 a. 32.

49.796 49.796 Food stamp reinstatement. A person may apply to a multicounty consortium, as defined in s. 49.78 (1) (br), or a federally recognized American Indian tribal governing body or, if the person is a supplier, as defined in s. 946.92 (1) (d), to the federal department of agriculture for reinstatement of benefits following a period of suspension imposed under s. 946.92, if the suspension is not permanent.

49.796 History History: 2013 a. 226 s. 43; Stats. 2013 s. 49.796.

49.797 49.797 Electronic benefit transfer.

49.797(1) (1) Definition. In this section, “food stamp program” means the federal food stamp program under 7 USC 2011 to 2029 or, if the department determines that the food stamp program no longer exists, a nutrition program that the department determines is a successor to the food stamp program.

49.797(2) (2) Delivery of food stamps.

49.797(2)(a) (a) Notwithstanding s. 46.028 and except as provided in par. (b) and sub. (8), the department shall administer a statewide program to deliver food stamp benefits to recipients of food stamp benefits by an electronic benefit transfer system. All suppliers, as defined in s. 946.92 (1) (d), may participate in the delivery of food stamp benefits under the electronic benefit transfer system. The department shall explore methods by which nontraditional retailers, such as farmers’ markets, may participate in the delivery of food stamp benefits under the electronic benefit transfer system.

49.797(2)(b) (b) The department need not implement a program to deliver food stamp benefits by an electronic benefit transfer system if any of the following applies:

49.797(2)(b)1. 1. The department determines that the cost of the electronic benefit transfer system would be greater than the cost of another food stamp delivery system.

49.797(2)(b)2. 2. The department determines that the state may be liable under 12 CFR 205 for lost or stolen benefits.

49.797(4) (4) Duties. In administering a program to deliver benefits by an electronic benefit transfer system, the department shall do all of the following:

49.797(4)(a) (a) Consult with members of the following groups:

49.797(4)(a)1. 1. Benefit recipients.

49.797(4)(a)2. 2. Advocates for benefit recipients.

49.797(4)(a)3. 3. Financial institution personnel.

49.797(4)(a)4. 4. Appropriate county, state and tribal governing body employees.

49.797(4)(a)5. 5. Persons who sell goods or services to recipients for which payment may be made by use of an electronic benefit transfer system, including, as appropriate, retailers, landlords and public utilities.

49.797(4)(b) (b) Hold informational meetings at a variety of locations around the state.

49.797(4)(c) (c) To the extent possible, maximize the use of existing automated teller machines and point-of-sale terminals.

49.797(4)(d) (d) Authorize the use of cards that physically resemble financial transaction cards, as defined in s. 943.41 (1) (em).

49.797(5) (5) State agencies. The department may enter into an agreement with any state agency to deliver benefits paid by that agency by an electronic benefit transfer system.

49.797(6) (6) Administration; contracts. The department may enter into a contract with any financial institution, as defined in s. 705.01 (3), or other fiscal intermediary to administer a program to deliver benefits to recipients by an electronic benefit transfer system. The contract shall require the contractor to do all of the following:

49.797(6)(a) (a) Provide training on the use of the electronic benefit transfer system to the persons enumerated in sub. (4) (a).

49.797(6)(b) (b) Provide ongoing assistance, on a 24-hour basis, on the use of the electronic benefit transfer system.

49.797(7) (7) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules for the administration of the electronic benefit transfer system under this section. The rules shall include all of the following:

49.797(7)(a) (a) The liability, and limits on the liability, of a recipient for lost benefits after the loss or theft of a card issued to the recipient under sub. (4) (d).

49.797(7)(b) (b) The suspension from a program of recipients, retailers or other participants for fraudulent activity, as defined by the department.

49.797(7)(c) (c) A provision for confidentiality.

49.797(7)(d) (d) Measures to be taken by the department or the person with whom the department contracts under sub. (6) to ensure the security of card issuance and electronic transfer of benefits.

49.797(8) (8) County participation; exception. The department may not require a multicounty consortium, as defined in s. 49.78 (1) (br), or tribal governing body to participate in an electronic benefit transfer system under this section if the costs to the multicounty consortium or tribal governing body would be greater than the costs that the multicounty consortium or tribal governing body would incur in delivering the benefits through a system that is not an electronic benefit transfer system.

49.797 History History: 2001 a. 16 ss. 1656u to 1656ue, 1656uj to 1656ut; Stats. 2001 s. 49.797; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 32; 2013 a. 226.

49.797 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DHS 252, Wis. adm. code.

subch. VI of ch. 49 SUBCHAPTER VI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

49.81 49.81 Public assistance recipients’ bill of rights. The department of health services, the department of children and families, and all public assistance and relief-granting agencies shall respect rights for recipients of public assistance. The rights shall include all rights guaranteed by the U.S. constitution and the constitution of this state, and in addition shall include:

49.81(1) (1) The right to be treated with respect by state agents.

49.81(2) (2) The right to confidentiality of agency records and files on the recipient. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the use of such records for auditing or accounting purposes or, to the extent permitted under federal law, for the purposes of locating persons, or the assets of persons, who have failed to file tax returns, who have underreported their taxable income or who are delinquent taxpayers, identifying fraudulent tax returns or providing information for tax-related prosecutions.

49.81(3) (3) The right to access to agency records and files relating to the recipient, except that the agency may withhold information obtained under a promise of confidentiality.

49.81(4) (4) The right to a speedy determination of the recipient’s status or eligibility for public assistance, to notice of any proposed change in such status or eligibility, and, in the case of assistance granted under s. 49.19, 49.46, 49.468, 49.47, or 49.471, to a speedy appeals process for resolving contested determinations.

49.81 History History: 1977 c. 29; 1989 a. 31; 1995 a. 27 ss. 2638, 2640 to 2643, 9126 (19), 9130 (4); 1997 a. 3, 237; 2007 a. 20 ss. 1670 to 1671, 9121 (6) (a).

49.82 49.82 Administration of public assistance programs.

49.82(1) (1) Departments to advise counties. The department of health services and the department of children and families shall advise all county officers charged with the administration of requirements relating to public assistance programs under this chapter and shall render all possible assistance in securing compliance therewith, including the preparation of necessary forms and reports. The department of health services and the department of children and families shall also publish any information that those departments consider advisable to acquaint persons entitled to public assistance, and the public generally, with the laws governing public assistance under this chapter.

49.82(2) (2) Eligibility verification.

49.82(2)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), for each person included in an application for public assistance under this chapter, proof shall be provided of his or her social security number or that an application for a social security number has been made.

49.82(2)(b) (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to any of the following:

49.82(2)(b)1. 1. A child who is eligible for medical assistance under s. 49.46, 49.47, or 49.471 because of 42 USC 1396a (e) (4).

49.82(2)(b)2. 2. An unborn child who is eligible for coverage under s. 49.471 or the Badger Care health care program under s. 49.665 (4) (ap).

49.82(2)(b)3. 3. A person who is applying for medical assistance under subch. IV, coverage under the Badger Care health care program under s. 49.665, or coverage under the program for prescription drug assistance for elderly persons under s. 49.688 and who refuses to obtain a social security number because of well-established religious objections, as defined in 42 CFR 435.910 (h) (2).

49.82 History History: 1995 a. 27 ss. 3088, 3125, 3209, 9126 (19), 9130 (4); 1997 a. 3; 2001 a. 107; 2005 a. 25; 2007 a. 20 ss. 1672 to 1676, 9121 (6) (a).

49.823 49.823 Public benefit database review. The department of health services and the department of children and families shall, at least once every 3 months, perform a comparison of each department’s respective public benefit database information against nationally recognized databases that contain information on death records, including the federal social security administration’s Death Master File, to identify participants in public benefit programs that are deceased. If a department determines during a review under this section that a participant is deceased, the department shall designate that individual as ineligible for benefits in any applicable database. The requirements under this section do not apply to the department of children and families with regard to child care subsidies under s. 49.155.

49.823 History History: 2017 a. 269.

49.825 49.825 Department administration in Milwaukee County.

49.825(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

49.825(1)(a) (a) “County” means Milwaukee County.

49.825(1)(b) (b) “Department” means the department of health services.

49.825(1)(c) (c) “Income maintenance program” has the meaning given in s. 49.78 (1) (b).

49.825(1)(d) (d) “Secretary” means the secretary of health services.