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.
This legislation is intended to enhance the financial assistance available for funeral and burial services, raising reimbursements by $1,000 for each eligible person. The intent is to alleviate the financial burden on eligible families during a difficult time, as the current maximum reimbursement is significantly lower than the actual costs of funeral services. In 2021, the average cost of funeral and cemetery charges was approximately $15,268, which indicates that the existing payments left a considerable gap for support.
Assembly Bill A3166 proposes a supplemental appropriation of $8 million to the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), specifically allocated to increase the reimbursement rates for funeral, burial, and crematory services for eligible beneficiaries of the Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. The bill seeks to address the insufficient funding gap for funeral services provided to low-income individuals and families, aiming to provide a more adequate financial support system in line with the rising average costs of such services.
Notably, the bill clarifies that the supplementary funding cannot be used to replace or supplant existing allocations for similar services, thus maintaining the level of funding specifically targeted to assist eligible individuals. This restriction is critical to ensure that the appropriation serves as an enhancement rather than a substitution for previously allocated funds. Critics may argue that while this bill increases support, it does not entirely resolve the funding gap faced by low-income families needing funeral services, as systemic issues regarding the average costs persist.