ASSEMBLY HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2040

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  NOVEMBER 30, 2023

      The Assembly Human Services Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 2040.

This bill directs the Commissioner of Human Services to request that the Food and Nutrition Service within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) permit “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,” (SNAP) benefits, available through a beneficiary’s SNAP electronic benefits transfer card, to pay the delivery charge for home delivery of the beneficiary’s SNAP-eligible grocery purchase.  Currently, the USDA does not allow the use of SNAP funds to pay the fee charged for home delivery of grocery purchases.

      In March 2020, the USDA opened its pilot program for online grocery purchasing to New Jersey’s SNAP participants.  Individuals participating in New Jersey SNAP may purchase groceries online through Amazon, and at 17 participating retailers Statewide, including major supermarket chains, membership warehouse clubs, and big-box stores. 

     The SNAP is a nutrition assistance entitlement program for low-income households regulated by the Food and Nutrition Service within the USDA, pursuant to the “Food and Nutrition Act of 2008,” Pub.L.88-525 (7 U.S.C. s.2011 et seq.).  At the State level, the program is administered by the county welfare agencies, under the supervision of the Division of Family Development (DFD) in the Department of Human Services.

This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2022-2023 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.