New Jersey Senate Bill S4000

New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/19/26
• Refer: 3/19/26

Caption

Excludes certain income earned from health promotion or disease prevention work from income eligibility determination under NJ FamilyCare, WFNJ, and NJ SNAP.

Summary

S4000 would require the Department of Human Services to disregard the first $5,000 earned in a calendar year by a community outreach worker when determining income eligibility for three public assistance programs: NJ FamilyCare, Work First New Jersey (WFNJ), and the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill is aimed at people working in health promotion or disease prevention programs, including temporary workers for nonprofit community-based organizations, health care systems, local health departments, or similar entities who serve as liaisons to the community and help connect residents to public health and social services. The bill also directs the Commissioner of Human Services to seek any necessary federal approvals, waivers, or state plan amendments to implement the income exclusion and preserve federal financial participation where applicable. It defines key terms such as “community outreach worker,” “health promotion program,” and “disease prevention program,” and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would modify how income is counted for eligibility and redetermination under NJ FamilyCare, WFNJ, and SNAP by excluding up to $5,000 of annual earnings from qualifying community outreach work. This would likely make it easier for low-income workers in public health outreach roles to qualify for or retain benefits, and it would require the Department of Human Services to update program administration, rules, and potentially seek federal waivers or approvals for Medicaid and SNAP-related implementation.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the overall sentiment appears supportive and policy-oriented, with the bill framed as a targeted benefit expansion for workers engaged in community health outreach. The sponsor’s approach suggests an intent to encourage participation in health promotion and disease prevention efforts while reducing the risk that modest earnings from this work disqualify workers from essential assistance programs.

Contention

No committee transcripts or vote records were provided, so there is no documented opposition or debate to identify. Potential points of contention, if raised, would likely center on the fiscal and administrative effects of excluding income from eligibility calculations, the need for federal waivers or approvals, and whether the $5,000 cap and the definition of qualifying outreach work are appropriately targeted.