Aiming to make the application process for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) more convenient and accessible, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation to allow applicants to apply for SNAP benefits by phone. The measure previously passed the full Assembly in March 73-0 and the Senate in February 34-0.
Under the new law (formerly bill A-4240), the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services is required to consult with county welfare agencies and county boards of social services to create an electronic system to process phone applications and ensure the system is compliant with federal standards. This technological upgrade is intended to make the application process simpler and more easily accessible.
The law’s sponsors, Assembly Democrats Joann Downey (D-Monmouth), Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen), Eric Houghtaling (D-Monmouth) and Speaker Craig J. Coughlin (D-Middlesex) released the following joint statement:
“Without SNAP, many families would struggle to put food on the table, and children would go hungry. Not only does SNAP help lift people out of poverty, but it also helps improve their overall health and well-being. We want to make sure every family that’s eligible for these essential benefits can easily and conveniently take advantage of this program.”
It would be helpful to post the phone number, instead of the grandstanding politicians. Mazal Tov, but what’s the number. Tachlis please.
There is no number. They have to waste a lot of time and money to build a new system first. It will be a long time coming before dialing for dollars. By then soaring inflation will have much less buying power.