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N.J.A.C. 10:69-3.17 This file includes all Regulations adopted and published through the New Jersey Register, Vol. 57 No. 12, June 16, 2025 NJ - New Jersey Administrative Code > TITLE 10. HUMAN SERVICES > CHAPTER 69. AFDC-RELATED MEDICAID > SUBCHAPTER 3. ESTABLISHING PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY IN AFDC-RELATED MEDICAID § 10:69-3.17 Work criteria; determination of principal earner (a) In order to determine qualification for AFDC-F eligibility, a determination shall first be made as to which parent is the principal earner in that family. 1. The "principal earner" or primary wage earner is whichever parent earned the greater amount of income in the 24-month period immediately preceding the month of application for AFDC-F. This designation thereafter shall apply for each consecutive month for which the family receives AFDC-F. 2. When either parent can qualify as the principal earner because both parents earned an identical amount of income in such 24-month period, the principal earner shall be whichever parent earned the greater amount of income in the most recent consecutive six-month period of such 24-month period. 3. If both parents earned an identical amount of income in such six-month period, the CSSA shall designate which parent shall be the principal earner. (b) AFDC-F segment eligibility for families with both natural or adoptive parents in the home is based on deprivation of parental support to the children in that family due to unemployment of the parent who is designated the principal earner. Form PA-22, Employment Criteria for AFDC-F families, is to be used by the CSSA in determining eligibility for AFDC-F. Form PA-22 may be reproduced by each CSSA. After the initial application, the CSSA shall reexamine Form PA-22 whenever the circumstances surrounding employment in a two-parent household change. To qualify for AFDC-F, the following criteria shall be met. 1. The principal earner has been unemployed for at least 30 days prior to the receipt of public assistance; i. Unemployed is defined as: (1) Not working at all; (2) Working less than 100 hours a month; (3) Participating in work which exceeds the 100 hour per month standard but is intermittent and the excess hours are of a temporary nature, as evidenced by the fact that the principal earner was under the 100 hours standard for the two prior months and is expected to be under the standard during the next month; or (4) Regardless of hours worked, the family income is below the applicable cash assistance standard contained in this chapter. 2. The principal earner has not, without good cause, within such 30-day period prior to the receipt of AFDC-related Medicaid, refused a bona fide offer of employment or training for employment; 3. The principal earner has not refused to apply for or accept unemployment compensation for which he or she qualifies; i. An individual shall be deemed "qualified" for unemployment compensation under the State's unemployment compensation law if he or she would have been eligible to receive such benefits