30:8-16.17 Various online application enrollments; processing, acceptance.
10. a. As soon as practicable but not less than 30 days prior to the release of an inmate incarcerated for 90 days or longer, the chief executive officer, warden, or keeper of each county correctional facility shall ensure that an inmate is assisted with completing, obtaining any required signatures or authorizations for, and forwarding for processing to the Department of Human Services an online application for enrollment in the Medicaid program, established pursuant to P.L.1968, c.413 (C.30:4D-1 et seq.).
b. In addition to the requirements of subsection a. of this section, the chief executive officer, warden, or keeper also shall ensure that such inmate is assisted in completing, obtaining any required signatures or authorizations for, and forwarding for processing to the appropriate county welfare agency or board of social services, as soon as practicable but not less than 30 days prior to an inmate's release from incarceration, online applications for enrollment in the following programs:
(1) the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, established pursuant to the federal "Food and Nutrition Act of 2008," Pub.L.88-525 (7 U.S.C. s.2011 et seq.); and
(2) the Work First New Jersey program, established pursuant to P.L.1997, c.38 (C.44:10-55 et seq.), which shall include, for inmates who are unable to identify a residence at the time of release, the application for emergency assistance benefits issued to Work First New Jersey recipients pursuant to section 8 of P.L.1997, c.14 (C.44:10-51).
c. The Department of Human Services shall be required to accept and process the online applications for Medicaid received from the county correctional facilities pursuant to subsection a. of this section.
d. If an inmate is unable to identify a residence at the time of application for benefits pursuant to this section, the chief executive officer, warden, or keeper of each county correctional facility, with the inmate's consent, shall ensure that the address of the reentry organization is used for the purposes of establishing proof of residence to meet any applicable eligibility requirements. The chief executive officer, warden, or keeper of each county correctional facility shall ensure that all inmates incarcerated for 90 days or longer are educated on their ability to select a reentry organization as a residential address pursuant to this subsection.
e. All State, county, and municipal agencies, for the purposes of establishing applicable eligibility requirements, shall:
(1) accept the address of the reentry organization for an inmate who is unable to identify a residence at the time of application for benefits; and
(2) accept an inmate's county correctional facility identification card to establish the inmate's identity.
f. An inmate who appears to be eligible for Work First New Jersey assistance shall be screened for immediate need assistance.
L. 2021, c.312, s.10.