Makes supplemental appropriation of $8 million to DHS to increase reimbursement for funeral, burial, and crematory services provided to certain beneficiaries of Work First New Jersey and Supplemental Security Income programs.
The existing reimbursement rate for funeral services under New Jersey state regulations is substantially inadequate. According to recent data, current payments provide only 28% of the average funeral costs, resulting in a substantial shortfall for families relying on state programs. The supplemental funding introduced by A2045 aims to enhance this support but is also constrained by existing legislative appropriations, ensuring that the new funds do not replace the already allocated amounts for these services. Thus, the total expected expenditure for these funeral services will rise to approximately $23.8 million in the fiscal year 2022.
Assembly Bill A2045 proposes a supplemental appropriation of $8 million to the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) aimed at increasing the reimbursement rates for funeral, burial, and crematory services. This funding specifically targets individuals eligible for the Work First New Jersey and Supplemental Security Income programs, allowing for an additional $1,000 per eligible person for such services. This increase seeks to address a significant funding gap in the current payment structure, which fails to meet the rising costs of funeral services, thereby providing greater financial support to these vulnerable groups.
There may be some contention regarding the adequacy of the proposed increase relative to the actual average costs caregivers face in providing funeral and burial services. While the bill addresses some of the gap between reimbursement and actual costs, critics might argue that the funding still falls short of aligning support with the true financial burdens experienced by families. Additionally, the method of distributing these supplemental funds could also lead to discussions on efficiency and fairness in the allocation process, particularly among local agencies responsible for managing these services.