Chapter 49

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.

49.825(1)(e) (e) “Unit” means the Milwaukee County enrollment services unit.

49.825(2) (2) Establishment of unit.

49.825(2)(a) (a) The department shall establish a Milwaukee County enrollment services unit under s. 15.02 (3) (c) 3. to determine eligibility under and administer the following public assistance programs in the county:

49.825(2)(a)1. 1. Income maintenance programs.

49.825(2)(a)2. 2. The programs under ss. 49.77 and 49.775.

49.825(2)(a)3. 3. To the extent contracted under par. (b), the child care subsidy program under s. 49.155.

49.825(2)(b) (b) The department of children and families may enter into a contract with the department of health services that provides for the performance of eligibility and authorization functions under the program under s. 49.155 in the county by the unit.

49.825(2)(c) (c) The department may enter into a contract with the county that provides for the performance by the county of any of the administrative functions under this subsection.

49.825(2)(d) (d) The department shall reimburse the county for all approved, allowable costs that are incurred by the county under a contract with the department for the operation of the public assistance programs under par. (a) in the county.

49.825(3) (3) Division of employment-related functions.

49.825(3)(a) (a) Supervisory personnel in the unit shall be state employees. Nonsupervisory staff performing services under this section for the unit may be a combination of state employees and employees of Milwaukee County.

49.825(3)(b) (b)

49.825(3)(b)1. 1. The department shall have the authority to hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, assign, reward, discipline, and adjust grievances with respect to, and state supervisory employees may supervise, county employees performing services under this section for the unit.

49.825(3)(b)2. 2. For the purposes under subd. 1., the department shall use the same process and procedures under ch. 230 that are used for the classified service of the state civil service system, including specifically the use of probationary periods under s. 230.28.

49.825(3)(b)3. 3. County employees performing services under this section for the unit shall be subject to the residency requirements that apply to other county employees under the county’s civil service rules.

49.825(3)(c) (c) The county shall perform all administrative tasks related to payroll and benefits for the county employees performing services under this section for the unit.

49.825(4) (4) Treatment of former county employees appointed to state employee positions in the unit before July 1, 2011. All of the following shall apply to an employee who is appointed to a state employee position in the unit after May 29, 2009, and before July 1, 2011, and who, immediately prior to his or her appointment, was a county employee:

49.825(4)(a) (a) The employee shall serve any applicable probationary period under s. 230.28, but shall have his or her seniority with the state computed by treating the employee’s total service with the county as state service.

49.825(4)(b) (b) Annual leave for the employee shall accrue at the rate provided in s. 230.35 using the employee’s state service computed under par. (a).

49.825(4)(c) (c)

49.825(4)(c)1. 1. The employee may remain a participating employee in the retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937. To remain under the retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, the employee must exercise this option in writing, on a form provided by the department, at the time the employee is appointed to a state employee position. The employee shall exercise this option, in writing, no later than 10 days after the employee is appointed to a state employee position. An employee’s decision to remain a participating employee in the retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, is irrevocable during the period that the employee is holding a state employee position in the unit.

49.825(4)(c)2. 2. The secretary shall pay, on behalf of the employee, all required employer contributions under the retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937.

49.825(4)(d) (d) The employee shall have his or her sick leave accrued with the state computed by treating the employee’s unused balance of sick leave accrued with the county as sick leave accrued in state service, but not to exceed the amount of sick leave the employee would have accrued in state service for the same period, if the employee is able to provide adequate documentation in accounting for sick leave used during the accrual period with the county. Sick leave that transfers under this paragraph is not subject to a right of conversion, under s. 40.05 (4) or otherwise, upon death or termination of creditable service for payment of health insurance benefits on behalf of the employee or the employee’s dependents.

49.825(4)(e) (e) Notwithstanding par. (c), beginning on July 1, 2011, an employee who has opted under par. (c) to remain a participating employee in the retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, shall remain a participating employee in the retirement system until the employee has vested in all retirement contributions paid by, or on behalf of, the employee. When the employee becomes vested in all of the contributions paid by, or on behalf of, the employee in the retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, the employee may no longer be a participating employee in that retirement system and shall immediately become a participating employee in the Wisconsin retirement system.

49.825(5) (5) Treatment of former county employees appointed to state employee positions in the unit on or after July 1, 2011. All of the following shall apply to an employee who is appointed to a state employee position in the unit on or after July 1, 2011, and who, immediately prior to his or her appointment, was a county employee performing services for the unit:

49.825(5)(a) (a) The employee shall serve any applicable probationary period under s. 230.28, but shall have his or her seniority with the state computed by treating the employee’s total service with the county as state service.

49.825(5)(b) (b) Annual leave for the employee shall accrue at the rate provided in s. 230.35 using the employee’s state service computed under par. (a).

49.825(5)(c) (c)

49.825(5)(c)1. 1. The employee shall remain a participating employee in the retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, until the employee becomes vested in all of the contributions paid by, or on behalf of, the employee in the retirement system. When the employee becomes vested in all of the contributions paid by, or on behalf of, the employee in the retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937, the employee may no longer be a participating employee in that retirement system and shall immediately become a participating employee in the Wisconsin retirement system.

49.825(5)(c)2. 2. The secretary shall pay, on behalf of the employee, all required employer contributions under the retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937.

49.825(5)(d) (d) The employee shall have his or her sick leave accrued with the state computed by treating the employee’s unused balance of sick leave accrued with the county as sick leave accrued in state service, but not to exceed the amount of sick leave the employee would have accrued in state service for the same period, if the employee is able to provide adequate documentation in accounting for sick leave used during the accrual period with the county. Sick leave that transfers under this paragraph is not subject to a right of conversion, under s. 40.05 (4) or otherwise, upon death or termination of creditable service for payment of health insurance benefits on behalf of the employee or the employee’s dependents.

49.825(5)(e) (e) The employee shall not be subject to s. 40.23 (2m) (er) and (3) (b).