4. a. The Commissioner of Corrections 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 as soon as practicable but not less than 30 days prior to an inmate’s release from incarceration, 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 Commissioner of Corrections shall also ensure that the 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 Department of Corrections 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 Commissioner of Corrections shall, with the inmate’s consent, ensure that the address of a reentry organization is used for the purposes of establishing proof of residence to meet any applicable eligibility requirements. The commissioner shall ensure that all inmates who are unable to identify a residence at the time of application for benefits are educated on their ability to select the address of the 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 in accordance with subsection d. of this section; and

(2) accept an inmate’s Department of Corrections 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.2020, c.45, s.4; 2021, c.312, s.4.