This bill requires several State agencies, including the Departments of Agriculture, Community Affairs, and Human Services, as well as the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA), the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA), and the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), to conduct a review of income eligibility thresholds for various public assistance, school nutrition, and higher education financial assistance programs. The review will determine if these agencies can legally raise the income eligibility standards and if there is sufficient funding, particularly from federal block grants, to support newly eligible beneficiaries.

If the agencies find that they can increase the income eligibility standards, they must do so by an amount reflecting the total percentage increase in the State's minimum wage since January 1, 2019, along with a cost of living adjustment equivalent to that of federal Social Security benefits for the year the act becomes effective. The bill also mandates the adoption of necessary regulations for implementation and appropriates funds from the General Fund to support these changes. The provisions are set to take effect four months after enactment, allowing for preparatory administrative actions. The overall goal is to ensure that minimum wage earners can maintain access to essential public assistance and higher education financial aid programs amidst rising living costs.