Lawmakers may mandate faster handling of New Jersey food aid

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey lawmakers are considering a bill that would require the state to expedite the handling of applications for food stamps.

But the measure is not getting a hearing just yet.

State Sen. Raymond Lesniak, a Democrat who is sponsoring the bill, says it's a response to the slow processing of applications by the state administration.

Last year, the federal government informed the state that it could cut funding for New Jersey's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program because the state was missing a 30-day limit to process applications.

Under the bill, some applications would have to be handled within a week. Lesniak says food stamps are essential for families that lose income.

The proposal was scheduled to be discussed at a state Senate hearing on Monday, but the meeting was canceled.

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