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N.J.A.C. 10:90-3.11 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

§ 10:90-3.11 Determining the income of WFNJ TANF/GA assistance units

(a) All earned and unearned income shall be determined by using a prospective budgeting methodology. WFNJ eligibility and cash assistance benefit calculations shall be based on an estimate of the assistance unit's income, using income averaging and, other circumstances that will exist until the assistance unit reports a change in circumstance or at the time of case redetermination, whichever occurs first. The estimate of income is based on the assistance unit's and the agency's reasonable expectations and knowledge of current, past and future circumstances. (b) For purposes of determining the assistance unit's financial eligibility and benefits, the county or municipal agency shall determine earnings by obtaining wage information for the four consecutive week period immediately preceding the date of application, redetermination or change in circumstance. Likewise, all unearned income received within this four week period is also determined. All earned and unearned income received within this four week period must be verified and documented in the case record, even if all four weeks of income are not ultimately used to calculate the estimate. (c) In order to maintain consistency in policy application between the WFNJ and NJ SNAP programs, the county or municipal agency shall utilize the same income estimate for both the WFNJ application/redetermination period and the NJ SNAP application/recertification period, whenever possible. Therefore, in those WFNJ/NJ SNAP cases where the NJ SNAP calculation encompasses a five-paycheck (or a three paycheck month for bi-weekly income) month, county or municipal agencies are authorized to use that same method for WFNJ eligibility and cash assistance benefit. Documentation of the income estimate determination must be maintained in the case record. 1. Since the receipt of income by a WFNJ individual usually occurs weekly, bi-weekly, or on a semi-monthly basis, the county or municipal agency shall convert the averaged income amount to a gross monthly amount by multiplying the averaged income amount by the appropriate conversion factors as follows: i. Weekly amounts by 4.333; ii. Bi-weekly amounts by 2.167; and