Policy Chapters and Sections

Program Eligibility

Chapter: 5 Section:
Effective Date: 4/13/2016
Expiration Date: Continuing
Published Date: 1/25/2022 10:20:07 AM
Status: Current
Version: 2

Tags: Eligibility

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. These services are offered through the American Job Center system in Illinois, referred to as the Illinois workNet Center/American Job Center.

Under WIOA, the law identifies those potentially eligible to receive services as adults, dislocated workers, and youth.

Adults – this program serves individuals and helps employers meet their workforce needs. It enables workers to obtain good jobs by providing job search assistance and training opportunities. WIOA establishes a priority requirement for funds allocated to a local area for adult employment and training activities. This priority is regardless of funds available to provide services in the local area. When using WIOA Adult funds to provide individualized career services and training services, American Job Center staff must prioritize recipients of public assistance, other low-income individuals, and individuals who are basic skills deficient. In addition, veterans receive priority of service in all DOL-funded employment programs.

Dislocated Workers – is a program designed to help workers get back to work as quickly as possible and overcome barriers to employment. When individuals become dislocated workers due to job loss, mass layoffs, global trade dynamics, or transitions in economic sectors, the Dislocated Worker program provides services to re-entering the workforce.

Youth  - offers a comprehensive set of employment services for eligible youth, ages 14-24, who face education, training, and employment barriers. Fourteen program elements focusing on education and career readiness must be made available to youth participants. The Youth Program focuses primarily on out-of-school youth, requiring local areas to expend a minimum of 75% of WIOA youth funds on them. WIOA prioritizes work experience through a 20% minimum expenditure rate for the work experience program element.

Chapter 5 provides local workforce innovation boards and other workforce system partners with instruction and guidance regarding determining eligibility and priority of service in the one-stop delivery system as prescribed in WIOA and the WIOA Final Labor Rule.