Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Hiring gains and economy
cited for W-2 number drop

W2 Data Table for November 1998

Madison, Wis. – The number of families participating in Wisconsin’s work-based welfare replacement W-2 program continued to shrink in November.

"Successful placement efforts of W-2 agencies and a continuing strong economy appear to be among the major contributors to the latest changes," said Jean Rogers, who administers the "Wisconsin Works" program in the State Department of Workforce Development (DWD).

The participation count at the end of November was 13,818 families, according to Rogers, DWD’s Economic Support Division administrator.

That was down from 14,755 a month before.  It also was the lowest level since the program began Sept. 1, 1997, and well below participation levels of the program it replaced – Aid to Families with Dependent Children, or AFDC.

There were 34,491 families participating in W-2 or AFDC when W-2 began Sept. 1, 1997.

The measurement counts all participants in the program, whether or not they are receiving financial assistance. Most do receive payments directly or are helped through subsidies to their employers.

Financial assistance can be provided for up to five years to participants as they gain work experience in three types of subsidized employment.

Rogers said all counties continue to provide extensive non-financial assistance to all W-2 participants through case managers.  Financial and employment planners serve as the primary case managers, and they are helped by resource specialists and supportive services planners.

Together, they provide job readiness screening, employability planning, determine eligibility for food stamps, medical assistance, child care, job access loans, and emergency assistance, and provide other help.

The number of families or people in those types of placements which have direct or indirect payments declined over-the-month from 9,741 to 9,235 in November.

Most of the drop was in the largest of the three placement categories in this group – community service jobs. That number declined from 7,341 to 6,873, although its share of participants overall remained almost unchanged.

Changes in the other two programs – trial jobs and a special intensive transition assistance program -- were not significant.

Rogers said cash welfare dependency has been reduced 73 per cent since the start of W-2, and by 90 per cent since Governor Tommy G. Thompson began welfare reform.

The number of those in another category -- unsubsidized activities -- also declined from October, from 5,014 to 4,583. Most of those in the unsubsidized category are employed, with wages averaging $6.70 an hour.

"Our agencies around the state are doing an excellent job of matching job-seekers and employers," said Rogers.

"In addition, many W-2 participants are making employment matches for themselves as a result of new job-seeking skills they are learning through W-2 job-readiness efforts."

 
The key data, in summary: