NJ SR100

Urges the federal government to raise the federal poverty line used to determine eligibility for public assistance programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families

Notes the current federal poverty calculation was developed in the 1960s based only on ability to purchase basic food, and has not been updated beyond inflation adjustments despite rising costs in housing, transportation, child care, and medical expenses

Cites that approximately 53 million households cannot afford basic necessities, yet only 37.9 million are officially recorded as living in poverty as of 2022

Highlights that the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and minimum wage increases have created "benefits cliffs" where low-wage earners lose public assistance access in exchange for insufficient pay increases

Directs copies of the resolution to be sent to the President, congressional leadership, and all New Jersey members of Congress