New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced an agreement with the federal government to temporarily halt new restrictions on public benefit programs. The pause affects changes under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) that could have impacted New Jersey families.
"We are glad to have come to an agreement with the federal government to pause their restrictions on PRWORA, which would have hurt New Jersey families," said Attorney General Platkin. "Head Start, family planning clinics, community health centers, and more deserve full federal support, and we will continue fighting for that and against any illegal restrictions."
Attorney General Platkin joined 20 other attorneys general in opposing the federal government's attempt to alter eligibility interpretations for federally supported services under PRWORA. The U.S. Departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, Education, and Labor agreed not to enforce these policy changes in plaintiff states until at least September 3, 2025. The agreement also ensures no penalties or enforcement will occur for conduct conflicting with the federal government's revised interpretation of PRWORA during this period.
