10:87-1.2 Administration of the Program

(a) The Program is authorized by the U.S. Congress and regulated by the USDA. In New Jersey, the CSSAs are responsible for certifying eligible households and arranging for benefit issuance outlets. Only persons employed by a CSSA are legally empowered to enroll applicants in the Program. (b) Although the counties directly administer the Program, the State is ultimately responsible for ensuring that program operations conform with Federal laws and USDA regulations. (c) The county administration of the NJ SNAP is supported by a centralized computer management information system to comply with the requirement for keeping uniform system of records and accounts throughout the State. CSSAs have access to the management information system that performs routine clerical tasks, determines eligibility status, calculates the NJ SNAP allotment, generates NJ SNAP benefits, and management and fiscal reports. This automated system expedites implementation of policy changes, eliminates duplication of effort, and allows for efficient updating of information. History HISTORY: Amended by R.1989 d.121, effective February 21, 1989. See: 20 N.J.R. 2689(a), 21 N.J.R. 511(b). Amended by R.1998 d.498, effective October 5, 1998. See: 30 N.J.R. 1928(a), 30 N.J.R. 3669(b). In (c), substituted a reference to food stamps for a reference to coupons, and substituted a reference to benefits for a reference to Authorizations to Participate in the second sentence. Amended by R.2004 d.181, effective May 17, 2004. See: 36 N.J.R. 28(a), 36 N.J.R. 2425(a). In (a), substituted "benefit" for "coupon" preceding "issuance outlets". Amended by R.2012 d.031, effective February 6, 2012 (operative March 7, 2012). See: 43 N.J.R. 2114(a), 44 N.J.R. 241(a). In (a), substituted "USDA" for "U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)", "CWAs" for "county welfare agencies (CWAs)" and "Program" for "program"; and in (c), substituted "NJ SNAP" for "Food Stamp Program". Administrative change. See: 44 N.J.R. 1529(a).