TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced Friday that the federal government has agreed to temporarily pause new restrictions on access to public benefit programs, following legal action from a coalition of states.
The agreement halts enforcement of proposed changes to eligibility rules under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) in New Jersey and other plaintiff states until at least September 3, 2025.
“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,” Platkin said in a statement. “Head Start, family planning clinics, community health centers, and more deserve full federal support.”
Earlier this week, Platkin and attorneys general from 20 other states filed a lawsuit opposing the federal government’s revised interpretation of PRWORA, which they argued would limit access to vital programs. The federal Departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, Education, and Labor have agreed not to enforce or penalize any conflicting conduct during the pause.
The federal government will not impose penalties related to the challenged changes while the pause remains in effect.
