Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

Workforce Offices of Western Illinois
(Local Workforce Area 14)

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), signed into law July 22, 2014, helps job seekers access employment, education, training and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. WIOA supersedes the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and amends the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, the Wagner-Peyser Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Act took effect on July 1, 2015.

General eligibility

Anyone enrolled in WIOA services must be a citizen of or authorized to work in the United States and registered with selective service if male, over 18 years of age, and born after December 29, 1959. Applications for WIOA services must be signed by a parent or guardian for anyone under the age of 18.

 

Complete this form to determine eligibility:

Workforce Investment Initial Questionnaire Western Illinois

 

Adult services

After eligibility determination, priority for individualized career services and training service shall be given to:

Veterans or qualifying spouses with any of the following barriers will be given first priority.

1. Recipients of public assistance;
2. Other low-income individuals; and
3. Individuals who are basic skills deficient.

Adult services include job search assistance, referral to other appropriate agencies and services, comprehensive assessments and development of individual employment plans, career planning, job readiness training, occupational skills training, vocational training (up to a maximum of two years), on-the-job training, customized training, incumbent worker training, support services during training and follow-up services.

Dislocated workers

WIOA provides services similar to the Adult program, but unlike the Adult program, family income is not used to determine eligibility. Dislocated workers are individuals who:

• Have been laid off or terminated due to plant closure or mass layoff
• Are unemployed through no fault of their own.

Self-employed individuals and displaced homemakers may also be eligible, including spouses of active military forced to quit a job due to re-stationing of a military spouse. Temporary layoffs do not qualify; the job loss must be permanent. The program trains/retrains dislocated workers and assists in their transition to new employment.

Youth services

WIOA outlines a broader youth vision that supports an integrated service delivery system and gives a framework through which states and local areas can leverage other federal, state, local and philanthropic resources to support in-school and out-of-school youth. WIOA affirms the Department’s commitment to providing high-quality services for youth and young adults beginning with career exploration and guidance, continued support for educational attainment, opportunities for skills training in in-demand industries and occupations, and culminating with a good job along a career pathway or enrollment in post-secondary education. WIOA authorizes the following changes:

Key provisions

WIOA requires a minimum of 75% of state and local youth funding to be used for out-of-school youth.

Youth eligibility

• Out-of-school youth must be aged 17 to 24, not attending any school, and meet one or more additional conditions, which could include:
  • School dropout
  • Within the age of compulsory attendance but has not attended for at least the most recent complete school-year calendar quarter
  • Holds a secondary school diploma or recognized equivalent and is low-income and is basic-skills deficient or an English-language learner
  • Subject to the juvenile or adult justice system
  • Homeless, runaway, in foster care or aged out of the foster care system, eligible for assistance under Section 477, Social Security Act or in out-of-home placement.
  • Pregnant or parenting
  • An individual with a disability
  • A low-income person who requires additional assistance to enter or complete an educational program or to secure and hold employment
    
    
• In-school youth must be aged 17 to 21, attending school, low income, which may include free and reduced lunch and/or food stamp recipients, and meet one or more additional conditions, which could include:
  • Basic skills deficient
  • English-language learner
  • An offender
  • Homeless, runaway, in foster care or aged out of the foster care system
  • Pregnant or parenting
  • An individual with a disability
  • A person who requires additional assistance to enter or complete an educational program or to secure and hold employment
    
    

Emphasis on work-experience

At least 20% of local youth formula funds must be used for work experiences, such as summer and year-round employment, pre-apprenticeship, on-the-job training, or internships and job shadowing.

Services for youth include:

• Work experience, with academic and occupational learning
• Financial literacy education
• Entrepreneurial skills training
• Services that provide labor market and employment information about in-demand industry sectors or occupations available in the local area
• Activities that help youth prepare for and transition to post-secondary education and training
• Tutoring
• Study skills training
• Leadership development opportunities
• Adult mentoring
• Comprehensive guidance and counseling, supportive services such as transportation reimbursement or bus passes, childcare assistance, career exploration and internships to prepare them for the world of work

The program may also assist eligible students with dual-credit courses and post-high school vocational training (up to a maximum of an associate in applied science degree) or on-the-job training. The program includes assistance for out-of-school youth including high school dropouts and offenders. High school dropouts are encouraged to obtain their GED or high school diploma. Work experience can be coupled with GED preparation as an added incentive to allow the participant to earn and learn. The WIA youth program provides services and activities throughout the year either through in-house sponsored activities or partnerships with other youth programs/providers.

 

Note

Vocational classroom training must be in growth occupations, defined as occupations having above-average growth projections and that allow workers to earn a self-sufficient wage.

 

Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act Income Guidelines: LWA14

In effect from May 4, 2020, to continuing.

Amounts shown are gross income before taxes are withdrawn.

Family unit	Six-month income	12-month income
1	$8,620	$12,760
2	$8,620	$17,240
3	$11,225.50	$22,451
4	$13,858	$27,716
5	$16,353	$32,706
6	$19,128.50	$38,257

 

For each additional family member add $5,550 (12 Mo.)

5% window policy: Each LWA may enroll up to 5% of the total youth served under the 5% window. Youth enrolled under this policy may not be income-eligible but must possess at least one of the barriers listed above. Each additional family member adds $5,550 (12 Mo.)

 

WIOA field offices