5. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, a recipient of benefits under the “Tenants’ Lifeline Assistance Program,” established pursuant to P.L.1981, c.210 (C. 48:2-29.30 et seq.), shall notify the Department of Human Services if the recipient unintentionally errs in estimating annual income to determine eligibility for the program due to an unanticipated payment which would render the recipient ineligible for the program. Notification to the department shall be made in the time and manner prescribed by the department.

b. If the department determines that the payment was unanticipated, the recipient shall reimburse the program for only those benefits that were paid by the program after the recipient received the unanticipated payment.

c. If the department determines that the payment was not unanticipated, the recipient shall reimburse the program for all benefits that were paid by the program in the calendar year in which the payment was received.

d. Within 30 days of receipt of a determination by the department that the payment was not unanticipated, a recipient may request a hearing, which shall be conducted pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.).

e. Nothing in this section shall preclude a recipient from reapplying for benefits in the calendar year following the year in which the recipient notified the department pursuant to subsection a. of this section.

L.2003, c.281, s.5; amended 2012, c.17, s.413.