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N.J.A.C. 10:90-1.1 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 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

§ 10:90-1.1 Purpose, philosophy and scope of the WFNJ program

(a) The Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) program has been established to transform the design and purpose of the welfare system in New Jersey. For the first time, one comprehensive program has been created by the Legislature and the Governor to uniformly both inspire and require all able-bodied families with dependent children, single adults and couples without dependent children to WORK rather than receive welfare. WFNJ builds and expands upon the foundation of the basic principles set forth in the Federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996, Public Law 104-193. The Act established the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant program which ended the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program and established the WFNJ Program pursuant to the Work First New Jersey Act, Public Law 1997 c.13, c.14, c.37 and c.38. (b) WFNJ, building upon the base of our former State and Federally funded Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program and our State funded General Assistance (GA) program, creates one WFNJ program. However, due to certain necessary differences in the requirements and the responsibilities entailed in being a single adult, a couple without dependent children or a single adult or couple with dependent children, the WFNJ program recognizes two segments which, for ease of reference and clarity throughout this manual are referred to as either the WFNJ/TANF component, which encompasses families with children whether headed by a single adult or a couple, and the WFNJ/GA component, which encompasses single adults and couples without dependent children. (c) The WFNJ Program is designed specifically to emphasize personal responsibility, instill dignity, promote self-sufficiency and pride through work and strongly reinforce all parents' responsibility for their child(ren) through strict enforcement of child support requirements. WFNJ clearly recognizes that both parents of a child(ren), whether or not they are the custodial caretakers of these children share fully and equally in the responsibility for the financial support of the child(ren), as well as all the positive developmental aspects which occur throughout childhood. All adults have primary responsibility for supporting both themselves and their families. (d) Assistance benefits provided under WFNJ are time-limited and considered a temporary cash subsidy to bridge the gap while individuals seek and obtain self-