ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 2362

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 19, 2022

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably and Assembly Bill No. 2362 (1R) with committee amendments.

      As amended, this bill, requires the Commissioner of Human Services to apply for a federal waiver of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit time limit for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD), either for the entire State or for any geographic areas in the State that meet federal waiver criteria.  Under current federal law, ABAWDs are eligible for SNAP benefits for three months over a three-year period, unless the individual works a minimum of 20 hours per week, participates in a work program for 20 hours per week, participates in a work program, is pregnant, has a physical or mental disability that prohibits work, has a dependent under the age of 18 living in the same household, or is otherwise exempt from the general work requirements for the SNAP.

      This bill, as amended, also clarifies current law by requiring the commissioner to review State labor and employment data annually in order to determine whether to submit a subsequent request for a waiver of the ABAWD benefit time limit.  The review conducted by the commissioner is to consider each criterion of waiver eligibility as well as the availability of opportunities that will fulfill the federal work requirement described in federal regulations.  Based upon this annual review, the commissioner is to submit a waiver request for the maximum number of geographic areas in the State that are eligible for a waiver.  The waiver request is to cover all geographic areas which represent the largest number of individuals eligible for a waiver of the ABAWD time limits on the receipt of SNAP benefits.

committee amendments:

      The committee amendments direct the Commissioner of Human Services to seek either a Statewide waiver for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit time limit for able-bodied dependents without children (ABAWDs), or a waiver for select geographic areas of the State.

      The committee amendments additionally require the Commissioner of Human Services to submit a request for a waiver of the ABAWD time limit on SNAP benefits for the maximum number of areas in the State that are eligible for such a waiver. 

      The committee amendments further specify that the waiver request, as submitted by the Commissioner of Human Services, is to be for all geographic areas that represent the largest number of individuals eligible for a waiver of the ABAWD time limits on the receipt of SNAP benefits.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      This bill is not certified as requiring a fiscal note.