New Jersey § 30:8-16

§ 30:8-16.

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.