MADISON – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is suspending a handful of state rules to make it easier for low-income parents to receive state-funded emergency assistance amid the federal government shutdown.
Evers signed an executive order on Wednesday that bypasses state rules under the Department of Children and Families that require residents to prove they are on the brink of homelessness or other crises.
A spokeswoman for Evers said state officials would still be verifying the recipients of the aid are eligible, but may use the effects of the shutdown as a reason instead.
“Missed paychecks, empty cupboards, overdraft fees, and late payment penalties — these are the very real consequences of the chaos and dysfunction in Washington, and anything we can do as a state to help families get through these tumultuous times is something we should do,” Evers said in a statement.
Typically, residents may receive money from the state if they are “facing a setback due to a housing emergency, including impending homelessness and domestic violence, natural disaster, fire, or an energy crisis,” according to the DCF.
Groups of two to five people may receive a check for up to $1,200, or the state will pay $220 per person in a group of six or more.
To qualify, residents must be a parent or relative caring for a child younger than 18. Eligible recipients must earn at or below 115% of the federal poverty level and have limited assets.
The new order follows a declaration Evers made in October after the federal government shut down and federal funding for the state’s food assistance program, known as FoodShare, was set to expire.
Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tony Evers’ executive order suspends rules on emergency assistance for low-income parents
Reporting by Molly Beck, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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