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Bill > A5441


NJ A5441

NJ A5441
Requires DHS to reformat MyNJHelps web-based platform as centralized online resource for all State administered public assistance programs.


summary

Introduced
03/10/2025
In Committee
03/10/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill directs the Commissioner of Human Services (commissioner), no later than 365 days after the effective date of the bill and in collaboration with all applicable State agencies, to expand the MyNJHelps web-based application platform for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Work First New Jersey Program, and the NJFamilyCare Program to include all State administered public assistance programs. In doing so, the commissioner is required to: reformat the MyNJHelps web-based application platform as the State's centralized online resource for applicants to access information about, apply for benefits to, and check the application status of all State administered public assistance programs; and design a single application, accessible on the MyNJHelps web-based application platform, through which an applicant can apply for all State administered public assistance programs. The bill defines "public assistance program" to mean a program that provides benefits to low-income New Jersey residents via a means-tested eligibility process. These types of programs provide benefits that include, but that are not limited to: healthcare, pharmaceutical, food, cash, child care, housing, and utility assistance. The provisions of the bill are not to be construed to alter the administrating agency of a public assistance program. Rather, the platform established under the bill is required to provide all applicable administering agencies with access to the necessary applicant information to make eligibility determinations, as well as access to platform functions to post information regarding application status. Moreover, the bill directs the commissioner to enter into any necessary data sharing agreements with applicable State agencies to comply with the provisions of the bill.

AI Summary

This bill requires the New Jersey Commissioner of Human Services to expand the MyNJHelps web-based platform within 365 days of the bill's effective date, transforming it into a centralized online resource for all state-administered public assistance programs. The bill mandates the creation of a single application through which residents can access information about, apply for, and track the status of various assistance programs, including healthcare, food, cash, child care, housing, and utility assistance. Key programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Work First New Jersey Program (WFNJ), and NJFamilyCare will be integrated into this platform. Importantly, the bill does not change the administrative agencies responsible for these programs but ensures that each agency will have access to applicant information for eligibility determinations. The Commissioner is also required to establish data-sharing agreements with relevant state agencies to implement this comprehensive online system. The bill defines public assistance programs as those providing benefits to low-income New Jersey residents through means-tested eligibility processes, with the goal of simplifying and streamlining access to essential support services.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee (on 03/10/2025)

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