The proposed bill establishes the ReadyReturn Program within the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury, designed to assist low-income residents in filing tax returns and accessing essential social services. The program will leverage income and other data from W-2 and income tax forms to automatically identify and enroll eligible individuals, including dependent minors, in various benefit programs such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and nutrition assistance programs. The bill mandates collaboration between the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs and the Secretary of Agriculture, along with the Division of Taxation, to develop automated processes for determining presumptive eligibility and notifying individuals of their status.

Furthermore, the bill authorizes relevant departments to utilize the collected data for eligibility redeterminations and to reach out to individuals for further screening when necessary. It also allows these departments to seek state plan amendments or federal waivers to maintain federal financial participation in these programs. To support the implementation of the ReadyReturn Program, the bill appropriates necessary funds from the General Fund, with the overarching goal of increasing tax return filings and enhancing access to social services for low-income residents.