Bill Text: NJ A3530 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Increases income eligibility standard for certain residential electric customers under the "Lifeline Credit Program" and "Universal Service Fund."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-12-06 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee [A3530 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-A3530-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman BRIAN E. RUMPF
District 9 (Atlantic, Burlington and Ocean)
Assemblywoman DIANNE C. GOVE
District 9 (Atlantic, Burlington and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Increases income eligibility standard for certain residential electric customers under the "Lifeline Credit Program" and "Universal Service Fund".
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning eligibility for benefits under the "Lifeline Credit Program" and the "Universal Service Fund", and supplementing Title 48 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law, rule, regulation, or order to the contrary, beginning on January 1, 2011, and annually thereafter, a residential electric customer who resides in a structure that is served only by electric energy, and who is at least 65 years of age or is receiving disability benefits pursuant to the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. s.416(i)), shall be eligible for benefits under the "Lifeline Credit Program" provided that the customer's annual gross income does not exceed 250% of the federal poverty level.
b. The Commissioner of Health and Senior Services shall adopt by regulation pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), the income eligibility standards hereunder for the "Lifeline Credit Program" established pursuant to P.L.1979, c.197 (C.48:2-29.15 et seq.).
c. As used in this section, "poverty level" means the official federal poverty level based on family size, established and adjusted under Section 673(2) of Subtitle B, the "Community Services Block Grant Act," Pub.L.97-35 (42 U.S.C. s.9902(2)).
2. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law, rule, regulation, or order to the contrary, beginning on January 1, 2011, and annually thereafter, a residential electric customer who resides in a structure that is served only by electric energy, and who is at least 65 years of age or is receiving disability benefits pursuant to the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. s.416(i)), shall be eligible for benefits under the "Universal Service Fund" established pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1999, c.23 (C.48:3-60) provided that the customer's annual gross income does not exceed 250% of the federal poverty level.
b. The Commissioner of Health and Senior Services shall adopt by regulation pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), the income eligibility standards hereunder for the "Universal Service Fund".
c. As used in this section, "poverty level" means the official federal poverty level based on family size, established and adjusted under Section 673(2) of Subtitle B, the "Community Services Block Grant Act," Pub.L.97-35 (42 U.S.C. s.9902(2)).
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill provides for expanded eligibility for benefits under the "Lifeline Credit Program" and the "Universal Service Fund" by increasing the income eligibility standards to up to 250% of the federal poverty level for residential electric customers who are at least 65 years of age or who are receiving disability benefits pursuant to the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. s. 416(i)), and who reside in "all-electric" homes. Current eligibility criteria under the "Lifeline Credit Program" and the "Universal Service Fund" restrict benefits to residential electric customers whose total gross annual income does not exceed 175% of the federal poverty level.
