Page 98

N.J.A.C. 10:90-3.8 This file includes all Regulations adopted and published through the New Jersey Register, Vol. 56 No. 24, December 16, 2024

NJ - New Jersey Administrative Code > TITLE 10. HUMAN SERVICES > CHAPTER 90. WORK FIRST NEW JERSEY PROGRAM > SUBCHAPTER 3. FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY--INCOME, RESOURCES, BENEFITS

§ 10:90-3.8 Computing the WFNJ TANF/GA monthly cash benefit using disregards for earned and unearned income

(a) An earned income disregard shall not be applied in the initial financial eligibility determination for applicants who are employed. If financial eligibility exists, the appropriate disregard as set forth in (b) below shall be applied in computing the monthly cash assistance benefit thereafter. (b) In computing the cash assistance benefit for WFNJ recipients who are employed an average of 20 hours or more per week, 100 percent of the gross earned income shall be disregarded for the first full month in which the earned income would be counted. After the 100 percent disregard for the first month of employment, if the recipient is employed for an average of 20 hours or more a week, 75 percent of the gross earned income shall be disregarded for six consecutive months, and 50 percent of the gross earned income shall be disregarded for each continuous month of employment thereafter. If the recipient is employed less than an average of 20 hours a week, after the 100 percent disregard for the first month of employment, 50 percent of the gross earned income shall be disregarded for each continuous month of employment thereafter. The appropriate disregard shall be applied to the earned income of each person in the assistance unit. 1. For purposes of budgeting income from new employment, earned income shall be budgeted prospectively. Recipients shall report earned income no later than 10 days from the date the recipient receives his or her first paycheck. The disregard shall not be provided until the employment hours and earnings are verified by the employee's pay stub(s) or equivalent employer supplied information. For self-employed recipients, earnings are the gross income less business expenses. Self-employment hours are determined by dividing the recipient's self-employment earnings by the Federal minimum wage. CSSAs/MWAs have 10 days from the date that such income is reported to act on the change. The 100 percent disregard shall then be applied for the first full month for which the income will be budgeted. 2. When budgeting new income from employment, if the agency is not able to budget the income for the first month following the month such income is reported, then the income and the 100 percent disregard shall be applied for the first of the next following month.