N.J. Admin. Code § 10:90-2.20

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 11, June 3, 2024

Section 10:90-2.20 - The Supportive Assistance for Individuals and Families (SAIF) Program

(a) The Supportive Assistance for Individuals and Families (SAIF) Program shall provide intensive case management (ICM) at 48 months for Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) recipients who have complied with WFNJ requirements and have not become self-sufficient and who do not appear to be exemptible from time limits under 10:90-2.4, except for those recipients who would meet the definition of "chronically unemployable." Within the limits of available funding, recipients who appear to be chronically unemployable shall receive intensive case management through the SAIF Program. The goal of the SAIF Program is to assist SAIF Program participants to become self-sufficient before they reach the 60-month time limit.

(b) Intensive case management shall be provided for a total period of 24 months. Recipients shall be required to continue to meet financial and non-financial eligibility requirements for the WFNJ program.

(c) Time limit extensions shall not be granted under 10:90-2.5. Instead, all individuals who have exhausted 48 months of benefits, and who are not exempt from time limits, may be eligible to receive assistance for a total period of 24 months under the SAIF Program.

(d) After 48 months of assistance, participation in the SAIF Program becomes a WFNJ program requirement for eligible recipients and the participant shall begin to receive intensive case management services. As a condition of continued eligibility, participants shall receive and cooperate with individualized and intensive case management, and, if appropriate, substance abuse treatment and mental health services. Participation in the SAIF Program is a WFNJ program requirement for the recipients who are required to participate in the SAIF Program. The individual shall fully participate in the SAIF Program to continue receiving cash assistance benefits. If a SAIF participant fails to cooperate with SAIF requirements without good cause, the WFNJ case shall be closed.

(e) SAIF Program participants shall cooperate in the development of a new Individual Responsibility Plan (IRP). The IRP shall be updated every six months. See 10:90-4.8 regarding the provisions for the IRP.

(f) Failure, without good cause, to begin or continue to participate in an agreed-upon assigned activity, shall be considered as refusal to cooperate without good cause. This action shall result in the sanction procedures and penalties being imposed, as set forth at 10:90-4.13 through 4.18.

1. The SAIF Program shall adhere to all notice and hearing requirements as set forth at N.J.A.C. 10:90-9.

(g) SAIF Program participants shall continue to be eligible for WFNJ social and work support services.

(h) Participants shall receive priority treatment by all WFNJ vendors. When referred for an assessment or treatment, a SAIF Program participant shall be given the first available appointment, and in all cases shall be seen within 30 days.

1. This includes, but is not limited to, referrals for substance abuse assessment and treatment.

(i) Child welfare is a primary component of the SAIF Program. As a result, a strong link must be established with the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P) for families with dual cases. CP&P records shall be consulted for all SAIF Program participants at the beginning of the ICM period to identify if an open CP&P case exists.

(j) An individual who has exhausted 60 cumulative-months of WFNJ benefits may be eligible for two six-month extensions by participating in the SAIF Program, unless the individual has already received 24 months of assistance through the SAIF Program.

1. Individuals who have received less than 24 months of assistance through the SAIF Program may be eligible to participate in the SAIF Program for the remainder of the 24-month period if he or she meets the criteria in this section.

(k) Assistance may be continued after an individual has exhausted 24 cumulative-months in the SAIF Program only if the individual meets the criteria for an exemption from the WFNJ 60-month time limit at 10:90-2.4 or if he or she has not exhausted his or her 60-month time limit according to the Federal TANF clock. Eligibility for continuation of assistance shall be evaluated prior to reaching the 24-month time limit. If the household is ineligible for an exemption, the cash assistance case shall be terminated. Terminations shall require prior approval and authorization by the Division of Family Development.

(l) Prior to terminating the cash assistance case of any SAIF Program participant with an open CP&P case, the county welfare agency shall refer the family to community-based agencies for services appropriate for their needs. Additionally, the county welfare agency shall notify the Department of Children and Families that the participants cash assistance will be terminated.

N.J. Admin. Code § 10:90-2.20

Administrative change, 46 N.J.R. 855(b).