S766

An Act concerning the evaluation of the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program application process and supplementing Title 44 of the Revised Statutes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. a. The Department of Human Services shall conduct a biennial survey of SNAP applicants and beneficiaries for the purpose of evaluating the SNAP experience ofthe applicants and beneficiaries. The biennial survey shall include, at a minimum, questions concerning the applicant’s or beneficiary’s experience in navigating the SNAP application process, any difficulties the applicant or beneficiary encountered in the application process, the availability of consumer support at the county welfare agency, and how well the applicant’s or beneficiary’s questions and concerns were addressed by staff at the county welfare agency.

b. The purpose of the biennial survey shall be to:

(1) identify the strengths and weaknesses of each county welfare agency in processing SNAP applications;

(2) formulate trainings or strategies to improve the processing of SNAP applications; and

(3) assess which counties require additional resource and staff support.

c. When conducting the biennial survey required pursuant to this section, the department shall ensure the survey is distributed to all SNAP applicants at each county welfare agency throughout the duration of the survey period.

d. The commissioner shall, no later than 18 months after the completion of each biennial survey, submit a report to the Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), documenting the results of the biennial survey and providing the commissioner’s recommendations for legislation or other appropriate action.

e. As used in this section:

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Human Services.

"Department" means the Department of Human Services.

“SNAP” means the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, established pursuant to the federal “Food and Nutrition Act of 2008,” Pub.L.110-246 (7 U.S.C. s.2011 et seq.) and P.L.1998, c.32 (C.44:10-79 et seq.).

2. The Commissioner of Human Services, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the provisions of this act.

3. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to conduct a biennial survey for the purpose of evaluating the experience of applicants and beneficiaries under the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The survey is to include, at a minimum, questions concerning: the experience of the applicant or beneficiary in navigating the SNAP application process; any difficulties the applicant or beneficiary encountered in the application process; the availability of consumer support at the county welfare agency; and how well the applicant’s or beneficiary’s questions and concerns were addressed by staff at the county welfare agency.

The purpose of each biennial survey is to: identify the strengths and weaknesses of each county welfare agency in processing SNAP applications; formulate trainings or strategies to improve the processing of SNAP applications; and assess which counties require additional resource and staff support. The DHS will be required to ensure the survey is distributed to each SNAP applicant and beneficiary at each county welfare agency throughout the duration of the survey period. Within 18 months after each biennial survey is completed, the Commissioner of Human Services will be required to submit a report to the Legislature documenting the results of the biennial survey and providing the commissioner’s recommendations for legislation or other appropriate action.