Bill Text: NJ S490 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Repeals family cap in Work First New Jersey program.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2018-06-29 - Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Human Services Committee [S490 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2018-S490-Introduced.html

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SENATE, No. 490

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

218th LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2018 SESSION

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  JOSEPH F. VITALE

District 19 (Middlesex)

Senator  RONALD L. RICE

District 28 (Essex)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Senators Cunningham and Ruiz

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Repeals family cap in Work First New Jersey program.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

  

An Act concerning public assistance benefits and repealing section 7 of P.L.1997, c.38.

 

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

 

     1.    Section 7 of P.L.1997, c.38 (C.44:10-61) is repealed.

 

     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 repeals the section 7 of the "Work First New Jersey Act," which prohibits a household from gaining additional cash assistance benefits as a result of the birth of a child.  Such policies that prevent an increase in welfare benefits as a result of the birth of a child are commonly known as "family caps."

     The Work First New Jersey - Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program provides cash and other assistance to low income families with dependent children.  The amount of monthly cash assistance provided to a household by the program is based on the household's size.  However, current law prevents the amount of the grant from increasing as the result of the birth of a child, unless the child is born fewer than 10 months after applying for benefits or the birth of the child is a result of rape or incest.  Certain limited exceptions to the family cap are provided pursuant to N.J.A.C.10:90-2.18 for families with a working parent and for children born to minors.