N.J. Admin. Code § 13:75-5.1

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 8, April 15, 2024

Section 13:75-5.1 - Financial hardship

(a) The Office may grant an emergency award where such grants could help prevent financial hardship or stress that might not otherwise arise, forcing persons, among other things, to go on public assistance or be evicted from their homes because of inability to make rent or other payments while at the same time paying medical expenses, or where a person cannot maintain a reasonable level of health, safety, and education for him- or herself or his or her dependents.

1. In the case of death claims, emergency payments may be made on behalf of the claimant directly to the provider of funeral services where undue hardship as determined by the Office can be shown and eligibility of the claim proven.

(b) The claimant has the burden of showing the need for such emergency awards by the preponderance of the credible evidence. The Office shall make its determination based on a totality of the circumstances and in consideration of all relevant information made available.

(c) The maximum amount of any emergency award shall not exceed $ 7,500.

(d) Any emergency awards made to a claimant shall be deducted from the final amount of compensation awarded, except in de minimis emergency awards, which shall not exceed $ 1,000. De minimis awards may be awarded for transportation, food, shelter, and any other exigent circumstances.

(e) Where the final amount is less than the sum of the emergency awards provided, or where the Office determines that an applicant shall receive no compensation, the Office may require that the claimant return an amount of money equal to the difference or repay the full amount of the award.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:75-5.1

Amended by 53 N.J.R. 1852(c), effective 11/1/2021