Sojourner A. v. New Jersey Department of Human Services

The opinion of the Court was delivered by

PORITZ, C.J.

In this appeal, plaintiffs challenge the constitutionality of a provision in the Work First New Jersey Act (WFNJ) that “caps” the amount of cash assistance for families at the level set when the family enters into the State welfare system. N.J.S.A. 44:10-61(a). Although families in the assistance program are eligible to receive additional Medicaid and food stamp benefits on the birth of another child, the statute prohibits an increase in cash assistance benefits for any child born more than ten months after the family initially applies for…