New Jersey Assembly Bill A2965

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/28/22
• Refer: 2/28/22

Caption

Requires any State entity administering State or federal public benefit programs to verify recipient's personal information against death records to prevent payment to deceased individual.

Impact

If enacted, A2965 would significantly change how benefit programs operate by instituting a systematic approach to validate the eligibility of recipients. This measure is expected to safeguard various state programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, and pension payments, from misuse that can arise when payments are inadvertently made to individuals who have passed away. By ensuring that deceased individuals are removed from active recipient lists, the State could potentially save resources that can be redirected to living beneficiaries.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2965 seeks to enhance the integrity of State and federal public benefit programs by implementing a mandatory verification process. This legislation requires any state entity responsible for administering public benefits to cross-check recipients' personal information, such as names and Social Security numbers, against death records in the New Jersey Electronic Death Registration System (NJ-EDRS). The primary aim is to prevent the continuation of benefit payments to deceased individuals, thereby protecting public resources and reducing the potential for fraudulent claims.

Contention

The bill could potentially be met with criticism regarding the administrative costs and the burden it might place on state agencies to implement the verification process effectively. Concerns may arise about privacy implications and the efficiency of the system used for cross-verifying personal information against death records. Advocates for the bill may argue that these measures are essential for protecting taxpayer money and maintaining the integrity of state programs, while opponents could point out the potential for bureaucratic overreach or errors that could affect the benefits of individuals who are alive.