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Page 11 of 202 § 10:90-6.3 Kinds of emergency assistance authorized

5. Payment shall be authorized for up to any three calendar months of retroactive rental or mortgage payments if it will prevent actual eviction or foreclosure, and/or six calendar months of retroactive utility payments if it will prevent the loss of utilities or make utilities operable. i. Payment for more than three calendar months of retroactive rental or mortgage payments and/or six months of retroactive utility payments shall be made only under extraordinary circumstances (as found at N.J.A.C. 10:90-6.4(b)1) subject to authorization by DFD. ii. Basic utilities are those that are necessary to make a dwelling habitable. At a minimum, basic utilities shall include electric, water, a fuel source for heating and cooking and, where applicable, sewerage and garbage disposal. In those instances where it is necessary to pay a utility deposit in order to reinstate utilities, such payment may be made under EA. 6. If appropriate for the individual/family situation, WFNJ recipients shall be notified that temporary rental assistance (TRA) may be provided, when the recipient is facing eviction, in order to maintain current permanent housing which had previously been affordable but which is no longer affordable for reasons such as, but not limited to, loss of employment, temporary unemployment or underemployment and it is anticipated that such housing will again become affordable; or when it is determined that maintaining the unit in the current housing arrangement is both the least costly alternative and serves to preserve the family structure while the search for affordable housing continues. TRA is the preferred form of emergency housing assistance in all situations, as appropriate. 7. If appropriate for the individual/family situation, WFNJ recipients shall be notified that TRA may also be provided to recipients who have experienced an actual state of homelessness and are able to locate a housing arrangement or can be accommodated in a housing arrangement in lieu of temporary shelter when the county/municipal agency has determined that a TRA is the appropriate remedy to address the emergency. The agency may authorize TRA when the total cost of housing inclusive of basic utilities is equal to or below the current Fair Market Rent (FMR), as established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for the county of residence. The agency shall also consider the recipient's eligibility for the Universal Service Fund or other utility assistance programs in the FMR calculation. i. TRA shall be provided when: (1) The total cost of housing does not exceed the current FMR for the county in which the recipient resides. Amounts in excess of the current FMR will require prior approval and authorization of subsidy level by DFD; and (2) The recipient's service plan and individual responsibility plan states the conditions under which a TRA has been granted and reflect the recipient's understanding of such.