Many of the people currently left on the welfare rolls and nearing the end of the 2 year time limit for benefits come from situations of domestic violence, mental health problems, or in a position of caring for a disabled spouse or child. Another tactic used to maximize profits for the agencies is diversion. If you answer no, you are told to go back and do so. If you were offered a job, which you turned down because the wages and hours were not enough for you to live off of, you are reprimanded for not wanting to work and told to accept that job. Even if you get past all the diversions they create, and get signed up for W-2 assistance, you won't get a check for eight weeks.
Many people grow frustrated and give up all together.
Each time this happens, the agencies' wallets get a little bit fatter. 3 out of 4 W-2 workers in Milwaukee County work within the Community Service and Transition Job categories. However, these workers receive no wages from their employers, just their welfare check plus support services. What this comes down to is that these employers are being provided with free labor from the 10,000 W-2 workers. In line with this, the PIC, or Private Industry Council, which are the people whose job it is to oversee the work of W-2 agencies, stands to directly benefit from the system.