Standard certification period, not less than 12 months within SNAP, conditions; definitions

1. a. The Commissioner of Human Services shall establish a standard certification period of not less than 12 months within SNAP, except that the certification period shall be not less than 24 months if all adult household members are elderly or disabled provided that all certified households shall have contact with a State SNAP administering agency at least once every 12 months. These certification periods shall not apply to initial certification periods for expedited benefit issuance or if a shorter certification period is necessary to align with the certification period of another program or to ensure the proper issuance of benefits. b. The Commissioner shall apply to the Food and Nutrition Service within the United States Department of Agriculture for any necessary waivers or approvals to implement the provisions of this section. c. As used in this section: "Certification period" means the period for which households shall be eligible to receive SNAP benefits. "Elderly or disabled" means the same as defined in section 3 of the federal "Food and Nutrition Act of 2008," Pub.L.110-246 (7 U.S.C. s.2012). "SNAP" means the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, established pursuant to the federal "Food and Nutrition Act of 2008," Pub.L.110-246 (7 U.S.C. s.2011 et seq.).