Policy Chapters and Sections

Supportive Services

Chapter: 7 Section: 4.1
Effective Date: 7/1/2026
Expiration Date: Continuing
Published Date: 9/9/2026 1:21:15 PM
Status: Current
Version: 4

  1. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides program guidelines for issuing supportive services for enrolled Adults, Dislocated Workers, Out-of-School Youth, and In-School Youth.
  2. Supportive services are services that are necessary to enable an individual to successfully participate in activities authorized under WIOA sec. 134(c)(2) and (3) (career and training services for Adults and Dislocated Workers) and sec. 129(c)(2) (Youth services) and defined in WIOA sec. 3(59).
  3. Under WIOA, supportive services are designed to help customers participate in career, training, or employment activities when they face challenges that could prevent engagement and are unable to obtain such services through other programs.
  4. WIOA-enrolled customers are eligible for and may be considered to receive supportive services as defined in WIOA.  The exception is Needs Related Payments, a supportive service available only to Adults and Dislocated Workers enrolled in training services authorized under WIOA and outlined in the Needs Related Payments section of this policy manual.
  5. Supportive services are not entitlements and should be provided based on a documented financial assessment, individual circumstances, the absence of other resources, and funding limits.  Under the provisions of WIOA, enrollment is an absolute prerequisite to providing supportive services.
  6. WIOA supportive services may be provided to an enrolled participant attending training funded by another entity if the participant receives a qualifying WIOA Title I career or training service and the service is necessary, allowable, reasonable, nonduplicative, and unavailable from another reasonably accessible source. 
    1. The need, qualifying service, training provider, dates, funding source, and coordination with other programs must be documented in the Universal Career Plan (UCP) and case notes.