AB 851

This bill makes unemployed veterans eligible to participate in the Transform

Milwaukee Jobs and Transitional Jobs programs.

Under the Transform Milwaukee Jobs and Transitional Jobs programs, the

Department of Children and Families pays an employer of a program participant a

wage subsidy at not more than minimum wage for each hour worked by the

participant, up to 40 hours per week, and may reimburse the employer for certain

taxes, unemployment insurance contributions or taxes, and worker's compensation

insurance premiums that are attributable to employment of the participant. To be

eligible to participate in one of the programs, an individual must be at least 18 years

old, and, if over 24 years old, must be the parent or primary relative caregiver of a

child under the age of 18; must have household income below 150 percent of the

poverty line; must be unemployed for at least four weeks; must be ineligible to receive

unemployment insurance benefits; may not be participating in a Wisconsin Works

employment position; and must satisfy requirements related to substance abuse

screening, testing, and treatment. An individual may participate in a program for

a maximum of 1,040 hours, which is equivalent to 26 40-hour weeks. The bill

provides that, in addition to individuals who satisfy the current eligibility

requirements, veterans who are unemployed may participate in the Transform

Milwaukee Jobs and Transitional Jobs programs without satisfying any other

eligibility criteria.