SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 2361

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 23, 2022

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 2361 (1R), with committee amendments.

      This bill requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to maintain an outreach plan for the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and to conduct additional outreach programs, subject to available funds.  SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is a nutrition assistance program that serves as a safety net for low-income households.

      Specifically, the bill directs that the outreach plan focus on increasing potential beneficiaries’ access to:  1) information regarding the availability of SNAP, the criteria for eligibility for SNAP benefits, and the various methods to apply for SNAP benefits; and 2) the technological means to apply for SNAP benefits. 

      Additional outreach programs may include:

      1)   establishing a SNAP Navigator Program, the purpose of which will be to recruit, train, and support SNAP application navigators, via a process and method determined by the Commission of Human Services;

      2)   making available training to the appropriate staff at community-based organizations regarding the necessary steps to complete and submit a SNAP application, through all available methods, including online and by telephone.  Trained staff are to assist clients with the SNAP application process;

      3)   partnering with community-based organizations to increase client access to computers and the online SNAP application;

      4)   providing SNAP information and resources to beneficiaries of public assistance programs who are served by the department and by county welfare agencies, and who are likely to be eligible for, but are not currently receiving, SNAP benefits; and

      5)   conducting a public awareness campaign using available media, including television, radio, print, and social media, to inform the public of the availability of SNAP.

      As reported by the committee with amendments, Assembly Bill No. 2361 (1R) is identical to Senate Bill No. 2016, which was also reported by the committee on this date, with amendments.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments make a technical change concerning grammar.