(TRENTON) – To remove barriers and help individuals with disabilities find employment, Assembly Democrats Carol Murphy (D-Burlington), Eric Houghtaling (D-Monmouth), and Britnee N. Timberlake (D-Essex, Passaic) sponsor legislation approved by the Assembly Human Services Committee to revise the eligibility requirements for the New Jersey Workability Program and the Personal Assistance Services Program.
The bill (A-5262) would remove the upper age limit and allow anyone over the age of 16 to qualify for the Workability Program and anyone over the age of 18 to qualify for the Personal Assistance Services Program. New Jersey Workability also offers full NJ Medicaid health coverage to people with disabilities who are working, and whose earnings would otherwise make them ineligible for Medicaid.
Upon committee approval of the measure, Assembly members Murphy, Houghtaling, and Timberlake issued the following joint statement:
“Everyone should have the opportunity to work and engage in meaningful activities. Those with disabilities aspire to achieve economic self-sufficiency. This bill will allow more people to qualify for the two programs and remove the difficulties many face when seeking employment.
“Often, individuals with disabilities are fearful of losing access to Medicaid benefits when returning to the workforce. We want to ensure that people are able to have the benefits they rely upon while also having stable and sustainable employment.”