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Page 68 of 116 § 10:90-18.6 Eligibility rules for convicted drug felons

(c) Good cause exceptions, from participation in substance abuse treatment, shall be established for persons convicted of possession or use of a controlled substance who are willing to participate in a DHS' licensed or approved RSATP in order to establish eligibility for WFNJ TANF/GA cash assistance and/or NJ SNAP program benefits and are unable to do so for the following reasons: 1. Persons that want to establish eligibility for NJ SNAP program benefits only and meet the good cause criteria established at (c)2 through 6 below, including the good faith effort requirements, can not be referred to the SAI for assessment or substance abuse treatment. 2. The person already completed a substance abuse treatment program as noted below: i. Individuals who have been incarcerated and have completed a substance abuse treatment program as a result of the incarceration and are determined to be drug free; ii. Individuals who have completed a DHS' licensed or approved in-patient or out- patient substance abuse treatment program and are determined to be drug free; or iii. Individuals who test free of drugs, and are therefore not appropriate for substance abuse treatment in a DHS' licensed or approved RSATP, or in an in- patient or out-patient program. (1) As a result of the substance abuse assessment, the CCC can determine that: (A) The person is not in need of substance abuse treatment at this time and his or her involvement in the SAI shall cease; (B) Periodic completion of the "Cage-AID" form or the "Pre-Assessment Checklist" shall be done to verify the person's continued compliance with the good cause reasons identified in (c)2i through ii above. The periodic assessment shall become mandatory and a condition for WFNJ initial and continued eligibility and receipt of WFNJ TANF/GA cash assistance; or (C) The person is in need of in-patient or out-patient substance abuse treatment at a DHS' licensed or approved facility. Treatment shall become mandatory and a condition for WFNJ initial and continued eligibility and receipt of WFNJ TANF/GA cash assistance. (2) The person is a participant in the Drug Court Initiative (DCI) and provides written verification, on agency letterhead confirming the following: (A) A Treatment Assessment Services for the Courts (TASC) evaluator's substance abuse assessment has been completed; (B) The level of treatment required by the court; and (C) The name and telephone number of the DCI liaison to the WFNJ agency. 3. The person entered a DHS' licensed or approved RSATP on his or her own.