Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH F. VITALE
District 19 (Middlesex)
Senator JIM WHELAN
District 2 (Atlantic)
SYNOPSIS
Increases amount of benefits under Work First New Jersey TANF program over three years.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning Work First New Jersey benefits and supplementing P.L.1997, c.38 (C.44:10-55 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Notwithstanding any regulation to the contrary, the maximum benefit levels provided to families participating in the Work First New Jersey Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program shall increase according to the following schedule:
a. For Fiscal Year 2017, the maximum benefit levels shall be 10 percent higher than the maximum benefits levels in effect during Fiscal Year 2016.
b. For Fiscal Year 2018, the maximum benefit levels shall be 20 percent higher than the maximum benefits levels in effect during Fiscal Year 2016.
c. For Fiscal Year 2019, the maximum benefit levels shall be 30 percent higher than the maximum benefits levels in effect during Fiscal Year 2016.
d. For Fiscal Year 2020 and each year thereafter, the maximum benefit levels shall be annually adjusted according to the cost of living adjustment applied under the federal Social Security program.
2. The Commissioner of Human Services shall apply for such State plan amendments as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act and to secure federal financial participation for State expenditures under the federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program.
3. The Commissioner of Human Services, in accordance with the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall adopt such rules and regulations as the commissioner deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill increases the maximum cash assistance benefit for families participating in the Work First New Jersey Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (WFNJ/TANF) program. The WFNJ/TANF program provides cash and other assistance to low-income families with dependent children in order to alleviate the negative effects of poverty.
Currently New Jersey’s maximum benefit amount for WFNJ/TANF recipient households in $424 per month for a family of three. The bill would increase this amount to $466 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2017, $509 in FY 2018, and $551 in FY 2019. For FY 2020 and each year thereafter, the maximum benefit would be annually adjusted according to the cost of living adjustment applied under the federal Social Security program.