52:15D-5 Responsibilities of the department.

3. Within 60 days of the effective date of P.L.2017, c.15, the department shall:

a. Provide each applicant to the RREM and LMI program with a personal timeline setting forth a general estimation of the time in which an applicant can expect to receive assistance through the RREM program and LMI program and a reasonable estimate of when the applicant can expect completion of the project for which they have requested assistance, based upon the department's past experience administering funds through the RREM program and LMI program. The timeline shall track the process of applying for assistance from the RREM and LMI programs from the time an applicant files his or her application with the department through the completion of the project for which the applicant requested assistance, and shall include:

(1) When the applicant should expect to receive 50 percent of the RREM grant money that the department has awarded the applicant; and

(2) When the applicant should expect to receive 100 percent of the RREM and LMI grant money that the department has awarded the applicant.

b. Provide each applicant to the RREM program and LMI program with information about the status of his or her individual application, including:

(1) the date on which the department received the application;

(2) a list of all required documents or other verifications submitted by the applicant related to the application and the date on which the department received each document; and

(3) a list of all documents or other verifications which still need to be submitted by the applicant in order to complete the RREM application and LMI application and the date on which each item must be received.

c. Upon request from an applicant to the RREM program and LMI program appealing a decision to deny the applicant benefits under the program, provide to the applicant information about the status of his or her appeal, including:

(1) the date on which the applicant filed the appeal;

(2) all pending reviews of the appeal and the date of any upcoming hearings related to the appeal;

(3) the department's final determination, if one is made as of the date the request for information is fulfilled, or otherwise the date on which the applicant can expect that the department will make a final determination concerning the appeal;

(4) a list of all documents related to the appeal and the date on which each document was filed; and

(5) an explanation of any decision to deny an application for aid, and an explanation of how to remedy the application, when possible, and continue the appeal process.

d. In the event the department denies an appeal by a RREM or LMI applicant, the department shall refer the applicant to a housing counselor who is certified by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development or is part of a program established by the department to provide housing counseling to people impacted by Superstorm Sandy.

e. Extend the one-year deadline for completing a project following a RREM or LMI grant award date for any applicant who demonstrates that the delay is the result of:

(1) the non-performance or non-availability of the contractor, or

(2) delays by the department in approving the contractor associated with the project.

f. Maintain an appeals process for at least six months following the effective date of P.L.2017, c.15, open to any applicant to the RREM program who submitted an initial application by the deadline of August 1, 2013, regardless of the reason the applicant had previously withdrawn, or been denied or removed from the application process.

L.2015, c.102, s.3; amended 2017, c.15, s.2.