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N.J.A.C. 10:90-20.1 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 20. THE FAMILY VIOLENCE OPTION INITIATIVE

§ 10:90-20.1 General provisions and purpose

(a) Based on P.L. 1997, c.13, c.14, c.37, and c.38 (Work First New Jersey Act), approved January 29, 1997; the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act (PRWORA) of 1996; and the final Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) regulations, issued on April 12, 1999, the WFNJ Family Violence Option (FVO) Initiative is established to help promote the goals of the WFNJ program. The objective of the WFNJ FVO Initiative is to safely move WFNJ TANF/GA applicants/recipients, who may be past or present victims of family violence or are at risk of family violence, from dependency on WFNJ TANF/GA cash assistance benefits to employment and self- sufficiency, to the extent possible. 1. Past or present situations involving family violence or any situation that places the WFNJ individual and/or family member(s) at risk of family violence may affect the individual's current ability to cooperate with the WFNJ TANF/GA program requirements because the individual has or fears emotional or physical harm. Family violence means situations involving domestic violence and/or sexual assault in accordance with the definition at N.J.A.C. 10:90-15. 2. Family violence circumstances may affect a WFNJ TANF/GA individual's and/or his or her family member's safety, may limit the person's ability to move beyond the violence or trauma of the violence and, as such, may affect the individual's current ability to comply with WFNJ TANF/GA program requirements such as, but not limited to: i. Cooperating in establishing paternity or in establishing and enforcing orders of support on a non-custodial or alleged non-custodial parent; ii. His or her ability to work or participate in a work activity; iii. The length of time of receipt of public assistance; and iv. His or her ability to maintain housing and/or comply with EA requirements. (b) The New Jersey Department of Human Services' (DHS) Division of Family Development (DFD) in collaboration with the New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women (NJCBW) established the WFNJ FVO Initiative. The WFNJ FVO Initiative provides WFNJ