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 raise the income eligibility standards under State and federal law and whether 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 equal to the total percentage increase in the State's minimum wage since January 1, 2019, plus a cost of living adjustment based on federal Social Security benefits. The bill also mandates the adoption of necessary rules and regulations for implementation and appropriates funds from the General Fund to support these changes. The provisions will take effect four months after enactment, with preparatory administrative actions permitted beforehand, aiming to ensure that minimum wage earners retain access to essential public assistance and financial aid programs amidst rising living costs.