SB 3

This bill changes the financial eligibility requirements for Wisconsin Works

(W-2), Wisconsin Shares, and FoodShare.

Under current law, the Department of Children and Families administers the

W-2 program, which provides work experience and benefits for low-income

custodial parents who are at least 18 years old. Under current law, an individual is

only eligible for W-2 if he or she meets certain eligibility criteria, including that the

individual's family may not have more than $2,500 in liquid assets. Combined equity

in vehicles up to $10,000 and a homestead are excluded from the calculation of liquid

assets under current law. The bill specifies that a homestead is excluded from the

calculation of liquid assets if it is valued at no more than 200 percent of the statewide

median value for homes, unless the individual qualifies for a hardship exemption

established by DCF by rule. In addition, any agricultural land owned by the family

is excluded when calculating the value of the homestead under the bill.

Under current law, an individual who is the parent of a child under the age of

13 or, if the child is disabled, under the age of 19, who needs child care services to

participate in various education or work activities, and who satisfies other eligibility

criteria may receive a child care subsidy for child care services under Wisconsin

Shares. Under current law, an individual is only eligible for Wisconsin Shares if he

or she meets certain eligibility criteria, including that the individual's family may

not have more than $25,000 in liquid assets. The bill provides that an individual is

not eligible for Wisconsin Shares if his or her family owns more than one home or

owns a home that is used as the individual's primary residence and that is valued at

more than 200 percent of the statewide median home value. Any agricultural land

owned by the family is excluded when calculating the value of the primary residence

under the bill. The bill also specifies that an individual is not eligible for Wisconsin

Shares if his or her family owns personal vehicles with a combined equity value of

more than $20,000. These restrictions only apply to new applicants under Wisconsin

Shares under the bill.

The bill grants DCF the authority to promulgate a rule to establish a hardship

exemption for the asset limitations for Wisconsin Shares. Under the bill, if an

individual qualifies for a hardship limitation under the rule promulgated by DCF,

the asset limitations established under the bill for Wisconsin Shares do not apply to

that individual.

The bill provides a similar asset-related restriction on eligibility for

FoodShare. FoodShare, also known as the food stamp program and the federal

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is administered by the Department of

Health Services. FoodShare provides benefits to eligible low-income households for

the purchase of food. As of July 1, 2018, unless the federal government disapproves,

an individual who is not elderly, blind, or disabled and whose household has more

than $25,000 in liquid assets, such as cash or financial resources that can be