Mukherji, Spearman & Zwicker Bill to Increase Cash Support Payments for Recipients of Public Assistance Clears Assembly

Legislation Among Bills to Help NJ Residents During Coronavirus

(TRENTON) – To ensure the most economically vulnerable residents in the state are supported during a state of emergency, the Assembly approved legislation 52-1-12 on Monday.

The bill (A-3858) would require the Commissioner of Human Services to issue supplemental cash assistance payments, under certain circumstances, to those within the Work First New Jersey program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the special supplemental food program for women, infants and children.

The bill sponsors, Assembly Democrats Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson), William Spearman (D-Camden, Gloucester) and Andrew Zwicker (D-Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon), issued the following statement:

“Food shortages caused by COVID-19 could have a devastating impact on families who rely on public assistance programs to put food on the table. Too many living paycheck to paycheck are grappling with what do if they are unable to afford extra stocks of food and basic supplies at home. Making sure these families, in times of special vulnerability like a pandemic, have the extra financial support they need is both critical and just.”