As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
COMMISSIONER
The Commissioner of the Department of Human Services.
EMPLOYABLE PERSON
Any person applying for or receiving public assistance under the
General Public Assistance Law (N.J.S.A. 44:8-107 et seq.) who is not unable
to perform work due to physical or mental disability as such terms shall be
defined in regulations established by the Commissioner.
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
Assistance rendered to needy persons not otherwise provided for under
the laws of this state, where such persons are willing to work but are unable
to secure employment due either to physical or mental disability or inability
to find employment, and includes what is commonly called "relief" or "emergency
relief."
STATE AID
State aid for public assistance or relief as prescribed and provided
for in the General Public Assistance Law.
UNEMPLOYABLE PERSON
Any person applying for or receiving public assistance who is not
an employable person as defined by the Commissioner.
The Director of Welfare of this municipality shall:
A. Supervise by periodic investigation every person receiving
public assistance, such investigation to be made by visitation at least once
a month.
B. Reconsider from month to month the amount and nature
of public assistance given and alter, amend or suspend the same when the circumstance
so requires.
C. Devise ways and means for bringing persons unable to
maintain themselves to self-support or to the support of any other person
or agency able and willing so to do.
D. Keep full and complete records of such investigation,
supervision, assistance and rehabilitation and of all certifications of persons
for employment or benefits and cancellations thereof in such manner and form
as required by the Commissioner.
E. Bring about appropriate action for commitment to any
state or county institution when the interests of the needy persons would
be so served.
Each applicant for public assistance in this municipality shall be required
to make an affidavit to the correctness of his/her statements in his/her application
for relief.
Immediate public assistance shall be rendered promptly to any needy
person by the Director of Welfare of the municipality where the person is
found at the time of application. Needy persons residing in public or private
facilities providing residential therapeutic medical services shall be deemed
the responsibility of the municipality of their customary place of abode prior
to placement in such facility.
Whenever a person shall apply for public assistance for self or dependents,
the Director of Welfare shall inquire into the facts, conditions and circumstances
of the case, including customary place of abode, family connections, living
conditions, resources, income and causes direct and indirect of the person's
need, and such other matters as the Commissioner may require, making a written
record thereof in such manner as may be prescribed by the Commissioner. Upon
ascertainment of the foregoing facts, conditions and circumstances, the Director
of Welfare shall render assistance to an eligible applicant or the applicant's
dependents, and the cost of public assistance shall be borne by this municipality.
The Director of Welfare, by written order, shall render such aid and
material assistance as he/she may in his/her discretion, after reasonable
inquiry, deem necessary to the end that such person may not suffer unnecessarily
from cold, hunger or sickness or be deprived of shelter pending further consideration
of the case.
The Director of Welfare, upon completion of investigation, shall determine
whether or not continued assistance is necessary and shall make such order
as in his/her judgment is warranted, having due regard to the circumstances
disclosed by the investigation.
The fact that an applicant for public assistance or any of his/her dependents
shall be receiving or be entitled to receive income from other sources or
compensation for part-time or casual services shall not make such person ineligible
to receive public assistance if such income or compensation is insufficient
to support him/her and his/her dependents properly, but the amount of such
income or compensation shall be taken into consideration in determining the
amount of his/her public assistance by deducting from the amount of public
assistance which might otherwise be paid the amount of such income or compensation;
except that any money received because of a settlement agreement or judgment
in a lawsuit brought against a manufacturer or distributor of Agent Orange
for damages resulting from exposure to Agent Orange shall not reduce the amount
of public assistance received by the applicant and shall not be subject to
a lien or be available for repayment to the state or this municipality for
public assistance received by the applicant.
The Director of Welfare may in his/her discretion summarily revoke any
order for continued assistance whenever it shall appear that the person is
no longer needy within the meaning of the General Public Assistance Law or will be otherwise adequately provided for.
Pursuant to general law, the municipality shall apply annually to the
Commissioner for a determination of the amount of state aid which this municipality
should receive in such year in the percentage authorized by the General Public
Assistance Law.
The provisions of the General Public Assistance Law (N.J.S.A. 44:8-107
et seq.) and of the General Assistance Manual (N.J.A.C. 10:85-1.1, et seq.)
are hereby adopted by reference and incorporated in this chapter as though
set forth verbatim herein, together with any amendments and supplements.