Legislation sponsored by state Assemblyman Ronald Dancer (R-Ocean, Burlington, Monmouth and Mercer) that would establish a pilot program allowing surplus state motor vehicles to be used by clients in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program for transportation to their work places or job training programs has been approved by the Senate Transportation Committee.
“The purpose of this legislation is twofold,” Dancer said. “Not only will the pilot program determine whether cost savings can be realized by reducing the amount of cash assistance for transportation purposes for public assistance clients, but it’s an excellent tool for promoting self-sufficiency for clients as well. It has great potential to be a win-win situation for all involved.”
According to a press release, the bill, A-562, is intended to address subsidies for transportation costs, which is a component of the TANF program.
Such subsidies include cash assistance for transportation costs related to employment and child care, and the Extended WorkPass Program, which provides up to six months of NJ Transit bus or rail passes to a person whose cash assistance has expired but is in need of transportation to get to work.
Dancer, who is also the mayor of Plumsted, stressed that the surplus state vehicles would be provided to qualified, nonprofit organizations that would oversee distribution to qualified clients for job and job training purposes.
He noted the success of an auto ownership program, facilitated by the St. Francis Community Center on Long Beach Island.
Used cars donated to the nonprofit group are offered to TANF recipients for whom transportation is a major barrier to employment.
The cars are provided to clients involved in a working or training activity of the Ocean County TANF program.
“The program I am advocating with this legislation would work on the same principle as the St. Francis program,” Dancer said. “My intent is to fully use state resources that will encourage the transition from public assistance to work, the most crucial step in attaining selfsufficiency. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to approve this worthwhile program.”
The bill, which was unanimously approved by the state Assembly, now moves to the full Senate for a vote, according to the press release.