Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH F. VITALE
District 19 (Middlesex)
Senator JIM WHELAN
District 2 (Atlantic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senators Cunningham, Pou and Ruiz
SYNOPSIS
Increases amount of benefits under Work First New Jersey program.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee on March 7, 2016, with amendments.
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 1[families participating in the]1 Work First New Jersey 1[Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program] recipients1 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.