Services for Subminimum Wage Workers

Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), there are services available from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) for workers earning wages less than the minimum wage. DVR has an agreement with a contracted agency to provide these services.

If the worker is in the first year of employment, they should meet every six months to talk about job opportunities and services in the community where they can earn at least the minimum wage.

If the worker has been working for more than a year, they should meet one time a year to talk about job opportunities and services in the community where they can earn at least the minimum wage.

Annual Outreach and Review Services

Information for Workers

• The contractor agency will work with the employer and will set-up a meeting.
• The meeting will include the worker, and legal guardian or anyone else the worker may want to invite in advance.
• The meeting can take place over the phone, via video call, at your subminimum wage job location or a location in your community.
• The meeting will take about an hour, and the worker will need to sign a paper that identifies the meeting took place. The employer can get copy of the documentation with permission. They will need it for their records.
• There is not anything that needs to be prepared ahead of the meeting and the worker can apply for DVR services at any time if they are interested in working in the community.

Information for Subminimum Wage Employers

• There will be contact made approximately 8 weeks prior to the meetings to work out the meeting details and get up to date contact information to set up the meetings.
• Please provide information about necessary accommodations in advance of the scheduled meeting.
• The meetings will take place over the phone, via video call or at the work location if that is possible or at other community locations at the workers request.

If you have questions for DVR please contact the DVR Contract Specialist.

Internet Resources:

The Department of Education:

• The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
• Frequently-Asked Questions: The Need for an Eligibility/Ineligibility Determination for VR Services for Youth Considering Subminimum Wage Employment Under Section 511

The Department of Labor:

• Fact Sheet
• Special Employment

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Equal Rights Division:

• Special Minimum Wage

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development DVR:

• Subminimum Wage Guidance
• Youth Seeking Subminimum Wage