SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2855

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 7, 2020

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Services Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 2855.

      As amended by the committee, this bill provides for a technological upgrade of the application process for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  Specifically, the bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to permit SNAP applicants to apply for the program by phone.

      The bill, as amended by the committee, requires the commissioner to: consult with county welfare agencies and county boards of social services to create an electronic record information processing system to process telephonic applications submitted for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and ensure the system is compliant with federal standards; and apply and receive approval for such waivers as may be necessary to implement the provisions of the bill.

      As reported by the committee with amendments, Senate Bill No. 2855 is identical to Assembly Bill No. 4240 (1R), which was also amended and reported by the committee on this date.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to correct a citational reference to the federal food stamp program, which was officially renamed as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in 2008, pursuant to Pub.L.110-246.  These amendments ensure that the citation used in the bill is consistent with SNAP citations used in other State statutes.

      The committee amendments remove the requirement that applicants who apply for SNAP benefits upload required documentation through an online application and to submit that documentation by electronic mail if the online application is unavailable. 

      The committee amendments also require the commissioner to: consult with county welfare agencies and county boards of social services to create an electronic record information processing system to process telephonic applications submitted for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and ensure the system is compliant with federal standards; and apply and receive approval for such waivers as may be necessary to implement the provisions of the bill.