Adult Priority of Service Policy

Issuance No: P10
Issuance Date: December 03, 2019
Subject: Adult Priority of Service Policy

The purpose of this policy is to define a priority of service for the WIOA Adult program operated in this region.

WIOA Section 134(c)(3)(E) identifies three priority groups: recipients of public assistance, other low-income individuals, and individuals who are basic skills deficient.  Below are definitions of each of the priority groups.

Recipients of Public Assistance

For the purposes of WIOA, a public assistance recipient includes an individual (or an individual who is part of a family) currently receiving, or who in the past 6 months has received assistance through (any of the following programs):

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI); or
  • Any other State or local income-based public assistance

Other Low-Income Individuals

WIOA sec. 3(36) defines a low-income individual as someone who receives public assistance as described above or:

  • Is in a family with total family income that does not exceed the higher of—(I) the poverty line; or (II) 70 percent of the lower living standard income level;
  • Is a homeless individual (as defined in section 41403(6) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994), or a homeless child or youth (as defined under section 725(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act);
  • Receives or is eligible to receive a free or reduced price lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act;
  • Is a foster child on behalf of whom State or local government payments are made; or
  • Is an individual with a disability whose own income meets the income requirement, but who is a member of a family whose income does not meet this requirement.

Individuals Who Are Basic Skills Deficient

WIOA sec. 3(5) defines basic skills deficient as referring to an individual:

  • Who is a youth with English reading, writing, or computing skills at or below the 8th grade level on a generally accepted standardized test; or
  • Who is a youth or adult, that is unable to compute or solve problems, or read, write, or speak English, at a level necessary to function on the job, in the individual’s family, or in society.

* Note: Individuals who are English language learners meet the criteria for “basic skills deficient” and must be included in the priority populations for the Title I Adult program. See TEGL 19-16 for the definition.

In accordance with OWD Issuance 04-2018, authorized activities under WIOA are broken out into three categories: basic services, individual services, and training services.  Each of these three categories have their own priority of service outlined below.

Basic Services

  • Recipients of Public Assistance
  • Other Low Income Individuals
  • Individuals who are basic skills deficient
  • All other individuals who seek services

Individualized Services

  • Recipients of Public Assistance
  • Other Low Income Individuals
  • Individuals who are basic skills deficient
  • All other individuals who seek services

Training Services

  • Recipients of Public Assistance
  • Other Low Income Individuals