N.J.S.A. 48:2-29.16 — Eligibility for Lifeline Credit Program

48:2-29.16. Eligibility for Lifeline Credit Program Any residential electric or gas customer who on July 1 of any year or at any time during the succeeding six months is: a. enrolled in, found eligible for, or, except for the provisions of section 4 of P.L. 1975, c. 194 (C. 30:4D-23), would be eligible for benefits under the program of "Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled," established pursuant to P.L. 1975, c. 194 (C. 30:4D-20 et seq.), as amended and supplemented; or b. receiving or is eligible to receive benefits under the program of Supplemental Security Income (P.L. 1973, c. 256, C. 44:7-85 et seq.); or c. receiving disability benefits pursuant to the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. s. 416(i)) and meets the income and residency requirements of the "Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled" program, shall be eligible for the "Lifeline Credit Program" established by this act. The Commissioner of the Department of Human Services shall establish a schedule of eligible customers who meet such qualifications. L. 1979, c. 197, s. 2, eff. Sept. 18, 1979. Amended by L. 1980, c. 92, s. 3, eff. Aug. 26, 1980; L. 1985, c. 291, s. 3. 48:2-29.16a "Lifeline Credit Program," notification as to error in estimated annual income. 4. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, a recipient of benefits under the "Lifeline Credit Program," established pursuant to P.L.1979, c.197 (C.48:2-29.15 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 office. 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.4; amended 2012, c.17, s.412.

This is the verbatim text of N.J.S.A. 48:2-29.16, retrieved from the New Jersey Legislature's public statute corpus. Statutes are amended periodically — for the most current version, check the external source link above. Kyzer is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice.