(a) Effective April 2, 1997, eligibility for cash
assistance benefits shall be limited to a lifetime total of 60 cumulative months for an adult individual
recipient, except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whether the assistance was received in the
WFNJ/TANF component, the WFNJ/GA component or a combination of both the WFNJ TANF/GA components of the
program. The calculation of the lifetime limit will be based upon the number of days the recipient received
benefits up to the 60-cumulative-month lifetime limit.
1. At the end of an
individual adult recipient's 60 cumulative months of receipt of cash assistance, the assistance unit shall no
longer be eligible to receive WFNJ/TANF or WFNJ/GA assistance.
2.
In the event that a recipient who has received cash assistance as a dependent child or minor parent and later
becomes a head of household or other adult assistance unit member, the time during which such dependent child
or minor parent had previously received benefits shall not count toward the 60-cumulative-month lifetime
limit.
3. For eligible aliens identified at
10:90-2.10, who are single adults or couples without dependent
children, the benefit period is further limited by the alien's eligibility and application for citizenship
status.
i. Eligible aliens who are single adults or couples without
dependent children may receive benefits until they meet the minimum residency requirements to apply for
citizenship in accordance with INS rules, which include, but are not limited to: continuous residence within
the United States, after being lawfully admitted for permanent residence, for at least three years
immediately preceding the date of filing a petition for naturalization if married to a United States citizen
or, if not, continuous residence within the United States, after being lawfully admitted for permanent
residence, for at least five years immediately preceding the date of filing a petition for naturalization.
Because only individuals with legal permanent residence status are eligible to apply for citizenship, this
provision applies only to aliens with legal permanent resident status.
ii. After residency requirements for citizenship are met, aliens who have
applied for citizenship shall not receive benefits for more than six months unless they attain citizenship,
or pass the language and civics component (prior to or at the time of the alien's interview with the United
States Citizenship and Immigration Services, unless exempt), and are awaiting a final determination delayed
through no fault of their own. The six-month time limit shall not apply if an individual is unable to meet
with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or if an individual is delayed or unable to
complete the language and civics component due to scheduling delays with the United States Citizenship and
Immigration Services. In this situation, individuals shall continue to receive benefits while cooperating
with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to attain citizenship. The agency shall monitor
and document the individual's efforts to attain citizenship to ensure compliance.
iii. An alien who attains citizenship may continue to receive benefits for
a lifetime total of 60 cumulative months from April 2, 1997 forward or the effective date of eligibility for
WFNJ/GA, if later than April 2, 1997. The total months of eligibility include any time the individual was
receiving WFNJ benefits prior to becoming a citizen.
iv. An alien
who meets the requirements for residency and citizenship on or after August 22, 1996, but does not initiate
the naturalization process shall not be eligible to receive benefits.
