Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

Wisconsin Senate Bill SB214

Introduced
4/6/23  
Refer
4/6/23  

Caption

Creating an ineligibility period in the Medical Assistance and FoodShare programs for voluntary employment termination. (FE)

Impact

If enacted, SB214 would amend the statutory definitions and regulations surrounding the MA and FoodShare programs in Wisconsin. Proponents of the bill argue that establishing an ineligibility period would encourage greater workforce participation and reduce potential misuse of public resources. They believe that the imposition of such a waiting period could deter individuals from leaving jobs purely to reap the benefits of state assistance, thus promoting a more responsible approach to welfare dependency among able-bodied adults.

Summary

Senate Bill 214 proposes the implementation of a six-month ineligibility period for participants of the Medical Assistance (MA) and FoodShare programs if they voluntarily terminate their paid employment. The bill specifically targets able-bodied adults and outlines that if such individuals leave their jobs voluntarily, they will not qualify for these essential welfare programs during the ineligibility period. This measure seeks to enforce accountability among beneficiaries and to ensure that public assistance is not awarded to those who willingly remove themselves from the workforce.

Contention

Opponents of SB214 have raised significant concerns about its potential unintended consequences. Critics argue that the bill may disproportionately affect vulnerable citizens, particularly those who could be leaving jobs for unforeseen personal issues, such as health problems or workplace harassment. The bill does accommodate for exceptions based on particular circumstances under which an able-bodied adult may leave their job—such as illness or safety concerns—but there are worries that these exceptions may not adequately protect all affected individuals from the punitive measures proposed in the bill. Additionally, the necessity for federal approval to implement these provisions adds another layer of uncertainty regarding the bill's future.

Federal approval

The bill mandates that if the Department of Health Services identifies that federal approval is needed to implement the ineligibility periods, they are obliged to seek this permission. This requirement underscores the interplay between state and federal regulations regarding public assistance programs and highlights the complexities involved in altering existing welfare laws.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

WI SB363

Requiring the department of health and environment (KDHE) to seek federal approval for continuous medicaid eligibility for certain individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities receiving services through a home and community based services waiver, directing state agencies to report to certain legislative committees on Kansans losing public assistance program eligibility, requiring the Kansas department for children and families and KDHE to enter into data-matching agreements with state agencies to verify eligibility for food and medical assistance and KDHE to submit certain data to the centers for medicare and medicaid services, prohibiting certain public assistance waivers or exemptions without legislative approval and self-attestation for purposes of determining eligibility for public assistance, requiring quarterly eligibility redeterminations for medical assistance and providing exceptions for certain individuals, limiting retroactive enrollment in medical assistance, immediately terminating eligibility for medical assistance upon confirmation of death of the enrollee, increasing the age limit for able-bodied adults without certain dependents and prohibiting certain exemptions from work requirements under the food assistance program.

WI AB180

Requiring the Department of Health Services to seek any necessary waiver to prohibit the purchase of candy or soft drinks with FoodShare benefits. (FE)

WI SB2451

DHS and Medicaid assistance program benefits; revise eligibility criteria and verification procedures for.

WI HB1797

relative to eligibility for public assistance, including the New Hampshire employment program, family assistance program, and SNAP.

WI HB2731

Requiring the department of health and environment in coordination with the Kansas department for aging and disability services to seek federal approval to establish continuous medicaid eligibility for certain individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are receiving services through a home and community based services waiver, requiring the secretary for children and families and the secretary of health and environment to enter into data-matching agreements with state agencies to verify eligibility for food and medical assistance, directing the department of health and environment to submit certain data to the centers for medicare and medicaid services, prohibiting certain public assistance program waivers or exemptions without legislative approval, prohibiting self-attestation for purposes of determining eligibility for public assistance programs, limiting retroactive enrollment in the medical assistance program, increasing the age limit for able-bodied adults without certain dependents and prohibiting certain exemptions from work requirements under the food assistance program.

WI AB163

Redeterminations of eligibility for the Medical Assistance program and database confirmation for public assistance program eligibility. (FE)

WI SB61

Public assistance; regular cross-checks required for Medicaid and food assistance eligibly, categorical eligibly for food assistance prohibited, eligibility for food assistance further provided for

WI SB1106

Expanding eligibility for the Medical Assistance program. (FE)

WI AB1236

Expanding eligibility for the Medical Assistance program. (FE)

WI HB2287

Eliminating certain restrictions for eligibility for public assistance, including removing the requirement to cooperate with child support services, restrictions on persons convicted of drug felonies, requirements for employment and training programs, photograph requirements for benefits cards and legislative action required for expansion of medical assistance, permitting the secretary from granting categorical eligibility standards, extending the lifetime limitation on benefits, providing for hardship extensions and exempting parents providing care for a child less than one year of age.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.