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N.J.A.C. 10:90-6.1 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 6. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

§ 10:90-6.1 Availability of emergency assistance

(a) Emergency assistance shall be made available through the WFNJ program as a supportive service to meet the emergent needs of WFNJ recipients, so that recipients shall not be prevented from complying with the work requirement due to disruptions caused by homelessness and related emergencies. Emergency assistance is also available to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. In an effort to minimize the incidence of homelessness among the WFNJ and SSI recipient population, the county/municipal agency shall be alert to the following circumstances, which may reasonably be assumed to, if not addressed by the recipient and the agency, result in imminent or actual homelessness of the individual or family. Upon identification of any of the indicators listed below, the county/municipal agency shall review the case record to determine if the individual or family shall be referred to sources of help, either within or outside the agency, to plan to ensure the availability of uninterrupted housing. 1. When shelter costs equal or exceed total recorded income to the WFNJ or SSI assistance unit and the recipient is unable to document other sources of income, for example, loans from relatives, which enable the individual or family to meet monthly housing/living expenses; 2. When the county/municipal agency receives information to the effect that the individual or family's utility bills are in arrearages or utilities have been shut off; 3. When the individual's or family's income is reduced as a result of the reduction in WFNJ benefits or other available income, through no fault of the individual or family; 4. When the individual's or family's rent which had previously been affordable is increased to an amount which makes the current housing costs appear to exceed available income; or 5. When the county/municipal agency receives information that the individual or family is involved in a tenant/landlord dispute or threatened foreclosure. i. When a tenant/landlord dispute or threatened foreclosure exists, the agency shall assist the family in an attempt to prevent the loss of existing permanent housing, including referral to appropriate legal/service agencies.