Back in 2002, Legal Action of Wisconsin and the ACLU filed a complaint alleging that W-2 agencies were not performing adequate screenings for disabilities, resulting in many applicants with serious obstacles being denied benefits. There have also been charges that applicants were discriminated against in decisions related to time limits, sanctions, and related matters on the basis of race. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the WI Dept. of Children and Families have now signed an agreement of compliance that resolves the complaint.

WCCF welcomes the signing of this agreement. The agreement represents another step forward in eliminating problems related to inadequate disability screening and inconsistent application of policies based on race that have plagued W-2 in the past. W-2 is an important support for vulnerable families in Wisconsin; we’re optimistic that this agreement will help these families access the benefits for which they are eligible without fear that their barriers to employment are being overlooked, and with confidence that they are being treated fairly and without bias grounded in racial or other characteristics.

WI State Journal blog entry about this is here. The agreement itself is available at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/activities/examples/TANF/witanfagreement.pdf.