52:27D-287.4 Requirements for certain recipients of rental assistance grants.

2. a. Any individual under the age of 65, who is not disabled and who receives a rental assistance grant provided pursuant to subsection a. of section 1 of P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.1), shall apply for employment and training services and seek the counseling required to obtain the employment and training services pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1992, c.43 (C.34:15D-7).

b. The counselor shall develop a written Employability Development Plan in a manner consistent with the provisions of section 7 of P.L.1992, c.43 (C.34:15D-7), if the counselor, after conducting the testing, assessment, and evaluation of, disclosures of information to, and discussions with, the individual required pursuant to that section, determines that:

(1) The individual is eligible for employment and training services under P.L.1992, c.48 (C.34:15B-35 et seq.), P.L.1992, c.43 (C.34:15D-1 et seq.), or P.L.1992, c.47 (C.43:21-57 et seq.);

(2) The individual lacks the basic skills or occupational skills needed to obtain employment which provides self-sufficiency; and

(3) Funds are available to the individual for any remedial education and vocational training needed to permit the individual to obtain employment providing self-sufficiency and that the education and training are available and accessible to the individual in a time and manner which does not result in a reduction of the individual's family income or substantial additional expenses.

c. If the counselor determines that any of the requirements of subsection b. of this section are not met, the counselor shall certify that an Employability Development Plan is not required for continued eligibility for the rental assistance grant. If the requirements are met and an Employability Development Plan is developed pursuant to this section, the individual, to maintain eligibility for the rental assistance grant, shall be required to show satisfactory progress in carrying out the training and educational activities provided under the plan. The Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development shall adopt regulations setting forth standards regarding what constitutes satisfactory progress, including reasonable adjustments in participation requirements for good cause, including verifiable needs related to physical or mental health problems, illness, accident or death or serious personal or family problems that necessitate reduced participation, and shall develop a system for monitoring satisfactory progress and providing, on a timely basis, notification to the Department of Community Affairs of the loss of eligibility of any individual for rental assistance grants due to a failure to make satisfactory progress.

d. For the purposes of this section, "employment and training services," "remedial education,""self-sufficiency," and "vocational training" have the meanings set forth in section 3 of P.L.1992, c.43 (C.34:15D-3).

L.2005,c.66,s.2.