Sponsored by:
Senator ANDREW ZWICKER
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
Senator M. TERESA RUIZ
District 29 (Essex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senator Pou
SYNOPSIS
Requires DHS to maintain SNAP outreach plan and to conduct additional outreach programs.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee on June 23, 2022, with amendments.
An Act 1[establishing a] concerning the1 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program outreach plan, 1and1 supplementing Title 44 of the Revised Statutes 1[, and making an appropriation]1 .
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The department 1[, working in consultation and cooperation with community-based organizations and county welfare agencies,]1 shall 1[develop and implement] , consistent with federal requirements, maintain1 a 1[comprehensive]1 SNAP outreach plan targeted at 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.
b. 1[At a minimum, the department’s outreach plan developed pursuant to subsection a. of this section] The department1 shall 1, subject to available funds, conduct additional outreach program, which may1 include:
(1) establishing a SNAP Navigator 1[Grant]1 Program, the purpose of which shall be to 1[distribute grant funding, via a process and method determined by the commissioner, to community-based organizations to support the employment of] recruit, train, and support1 SNAP application navigators 1[. In distributing grants under the program, the commissioner shall give priority to community-based organizations that assist underserved communities] via a process and method determined by the commissioner1 ;
(2) 1[providing] making available1 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. Staff trained pursuant to this paragraph shall assist clients with the SNAP application process;
(3) partnering with community-based organizations to increase client access to computers and the online SNAP application; 1[and]1
(4) providing SNAP information and resources to beneficiaries of public assistance programs who are served by the department and county welfare agencies, and who are likely to be eligible for, but are not currently receiving, SNAP benefits 1; 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 SNAP1 .
“Commissioner” means Commissioner of Human Services.
1[“County welfare agency” means that agency of county government, which is charged with the responsibility for determining eligibility and issuing benefits for public assistance programs. The term county welfare agency shall include, but not be limited to, agencies that may be locally known as the Board of Social Services; the Department of Citizen Services; the Division of Welfare; the Division of Social Services; the Division of Temporary Assistance and Social Services; or as the Department of Family and Community Development.]1
“Department” means the Department of Human Services.
“Public assistance program” means any program administered through the Department of Human Services, a county welfare agency, or a collaboration between the two which is authorized to provide assistance and services to needy persons, including, but not limited to: the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, established pursuant to the federal “Food and Nutrition Act of 2008,” Pub.L.110-246 (7 U.S.C. s.2011 et seq.); the Work First New Jersey program established pursuant to P.L.1997, c.38 (C.44:10-55 et seq.); and the Medicaid program established pursuant to P.L.1968, c.413 (C.30:4D-1 et seq.).
“SNAP” means the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, established pursuant to the federal “Food and Nutrition Act of 2008,” Pub.L.110-246 (7 U.S.C. s.2011 et seq.).
2. The Commissioner of Human Services 1[, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall] may1 promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the provisions of this act 1, which rules and regulations shall be effective immediately upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law for a period not to exceed 18 months, and may, thereafter, be amended, adopted, or readopted in accordance with the provisions of the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.)1 .
1[3. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Human Services such an amount as is necessary, as determined by the Commissioner of Human Services, to effectuate paragraph (1) of subsection b. of section 1 of this act.]1
1[4.] 3.1 This act shall take effect immediately.