Wis. Stat. § 49.19 — WI Code / Chapter 49 / Section 49.19
Aid to families with dependent children.
Status: in_force

(1)

(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:

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

2.

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

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.

(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.

(c)

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.

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:

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

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.

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:

a. The individual has been appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction as a legal representative of the dependent child; or

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.

(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.

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

(2)

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(3)

(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.

(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) .

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

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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:

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.

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.

(bu)

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.

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:

a. The recipient’s own education or training or the education or training of his or her child.

b. Improving the employability of a member of the family.

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 .

(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.

(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.

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

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

2. Is the wife of a husband who is incarcerated or who is a convicted offender permitted to live at home but precluded from earning a wage because the husband is required by a court imposed sentence to perform unpaid public work or unpaid community service; or

3. Is the wife of a husband who has been committed to the department pursuant to ch. 975 , irrespective of the probable period of such commitment; or

4. Is the wife of a husband who has continuously abandoned or failed to support her, if proceedings have been commenced against the husband under ch. 769 ; or

5. Has been divorced and is without a husband or legally separated from her husband and is unable through use of the provisions of law to compel her former husband to adequately support the child for whom aid is sought; or

6. Has commenced an action for divorce or legal separation and obtained a temporary order for support under s. 767.225 which order is either insufficient to adequately meet the needs of the child or cannot be enforced through the provisions of law; or

7. Has obtained an order under s. 767.501 from the court to compel support, which order is either insufficient to adequately meet the needs of the child or cannot be enforced through the provisions of law; or

8. Is incapacitated and the county department under s. 46.215 or 46.22 believes she is the proper payee.

(dm) Aid may be paid to parents of a dependent child if the parents are unable to supply the needs of the child because of the unemployment of the parent, in a home in which both parents live, who earned the most income during the 24-month period immediately preceding the month for which aid is granted and who meets the federal requirements as to past employment and current unemployment. The department shall count up to 4 calendar quarters of full-time attendance at an elementary school, a secondary school, or a vocational or technical training course that satisfies the requirements under 42 USC 607 (d) (1) (B) toward the federal requirement as to past employment. Aid to dependent children of unemployed parents may be granted only if federal aid for this purpose is available to the state. No aid may be granted if the unemployed parent:

4. Qualifies for unemployment insurance but refuses to apply for or accept unemployment insurance; or

5. Fails to meet any applicable federal or state work, work registration or training requirement. The department shall promulgate rules listing the applicable requirements under this subdivision.

(e) The ownership of a home and the lands used or operated in connection therewith or, in lieu thereof, a house trailer, if such home or house trailer is used as the person’s abode, by a person having the care and custody of any dependent child shall not prevent the granting of aid if the cost of maintenance of said home or house trailer does not exceed the rental which the family would be obliged to pay for living quarters.

(es) In determining eligibility for aid to families with dependent children, all earned and unearned income of the applicant shall be considered, except 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) , and aid received under this section. Eligibility does not exist if the total income considered exceeds 185 percent of the standard of need or if the total income considered after disregards are applied exceeds the standard of need.

(et) In determining eligibility for aid, the income of a dependent child’s stepparent who lives in the same home as the child shall be considered as required under 42 USC 602 (a) (31).

(ez) If an alien applies for aid, the income and resources of any person or public or private agency which executed an affidavit of support for the alien are deemed unearned income and resources of the alien for a 3-year period after the alien enters the United States, unless the department determines that the public or private agency no longer exists or has become unable to meet the alien’s needs. The income and resources of the spouse of the executor, if the executor is an individual, are also deemed unearned income and resources of the alien for a 3-year period after the alien enters the United States, if the spouse is living with the executor. The department may, by rule, specify the method of computing income and resources under this paragraph and may reduce the level of income and resources that are deemed unearned income and resources of the alien, to the extent required by P.L. 97-35 , section 2320 (b). This paragraph does not apply if the alien is a dependent child and if the executor or the executor’s spouse is the parent of the alien.

(f) Whenever better provisions, public or private, can be made for the care of such dependent child, aid under this section shall cease. Prompt notice shall be given to the appropriate law enforcement officials of the county of the furnishing of aid under this section in respect of a child who has been deserted or abandoned by a parent.