Bill Text: NJ S1262 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Permits young adult who is claimed as a dependent on a relative's tax return to receive Work First New Jersey General Public Assistance benefits.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-05-16 - Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee [S1262 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2016-S1262-Introduced.html

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SENATE, No. 1262

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

217th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 8, 2016

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  JOSEPH F. VITALE

District 19 (Middlesex)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Permits young adult who is claimed as a dependent on relative's tax return to receive Work First New Jersey General Public Assistance benefits.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  

An Act concerning eligibility for Work First New Jersey General Public Assistance benefits and supplementing Title 44 of the Revised Statutes.

 

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

 

     1.    Notwithstanding N.J.A.C.10:90-2.8 or any other law or regulation to the contrary, an applicant or recipient of Work First New Jersey General Public Assistance benefits who is at least 18 years of age and not older than 26 years of age shall not be deemed ineligible for benefits on the sole basis that the applicant or recipient is claimed as a dependent on a parent's or relative's U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.

 

     2.    The Commissioner of Human Services shall, in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), adopt any rules or regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act.

 

     3.    This act shall take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following the date of enactment, but the Commissioner of Human Services may take such anticipatory administrative action in advance thereof as shall be necessary for the implementation of this act.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill would permit a person between the ages of 18 and 26 to receive Work First New Jersey General Public Assistance (WFNJ/GA) benefits, even if the person is claimed as a dependent on his or her parent's or other relative's U.S. Individual Income Tax Return (1040 form).  This would reverse a policy established by regulation, codified at N.J.A.C.10:90-2.8(a)15, which provides that such individuals are ineligible for WFNJ/GA benefits, even if they meet all other eligibility criteria.