N.J. Stat. Ann. § 52:27D-280 et seq. § 52:27D-287.8
Definitions
Operative Text
2. As used in P.L.2021, c.188 (C.52:27D-287.7 et al.): "Area median income" means the median income by household size for an applicable county as determined by the department. "Assistance" means cash payments for unpaid rent provided to the landlord by any federal, State, county, or local rental assistance program, including, but not limited to, payments ultimately provided to a landlord through an application submitted by a tenant through the Eviction Prevention Program, as established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2021, c.188 (C.52:27D-287.10). "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Community Affairs. "Covered period" means the period beginning on March 1, 2020, and ending on August 31, 2021. "COVID-19 pandemic" means the outbreak of COVID-19 throughout the world, recognized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. "Credit reporting agency" means any consumer reporting agency as that term is defined by the federal "Fair Credit Reporting Act," 15 U.S.C. s.1681 et seq., which shall include any agencies which specialize in tenant screening or rental history reporting. "Deep subsidy" means a rental housing subsidy which limits the tenant's share of the monthly rent to a percentage of the tenant's income, and which can be adjusted to maintain that percentage should the tenant's income change. "Department" means the Department of Community Affairs. "Household income" means the lower of the following numbers: (1) the combined income of all household members over the twelve months immediately preceding an application for assistance or protection, or (2) the combined income of all household members in the three months immediately preceding an application for assistance or protection, annualized by multiplying the combined income by a factor of four. "Low-income household" means a household with a total current annual household income equal to 50 percent or less of the area median income for a household of the same size and composition. "Middle-income household" means a household with a total current gross annual household income of 80 percent or more than, but less than 120 percent of, the area median income for a household of the same size and composition. "Moderate-income household" means a household with a total current gross annual household income in excess of 50 percent but less than 80 percent of the area median income for a household of the same size and composition. "Shallow subsidy" means a rental housing subsidy that limits the tenant's share of the rent to a percentage of the tenant's income, provided however, that the subsidy shall be capped at a fixed amount. "Very low-income household" means a household with a total current annual household income less than or equal to 30 percent of the area median income for a household of the same size and composition. L.2021, c.188, s.2.
Section 52:27D-287.8 of N.J.S.A. 52:27D-280 et seq. establishes the key definitions that govern New Jersey's COVID-19 rental assistance and eviction prevention framework enacted under P.L.2021, c.188. The provision sets out precise income thresholds—ranging from 'very low-income' (at or below 30% of area median income) through 'middle-income' (80–120% of area median income)—that determine which households qualify for various protections and subsidies. It also defines the 'covered period' as March 1, 2020 through August 31, 2021, and clarifies what counts as 'assistance,' including payments made through the Eviction Prevention Program.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under New Jersey's rental assistance framework should familiarize themselves with the definitions established in N.J.S.A. 52:27D-280 et seq. § 52:27D-287.8, as these terms govern eligibility determinations for assistance payments and tenant protections tied to the COVID-19 covered period. Compliant operators generally ensure that any rental assistance received—whether through federal, State, county, or local programs—is processed in accordance with how 'assistance' is defined under this section. Understanding the income-tier definitions (very low, low, moderate, and middle-income) helps operators correctly identify which tenants may qualify for specific program benefits or protections.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants seeking rental assistance or eviction protections under New Jersey's COVID-19 relief law should be aware that N.J.S.A. 52:27D-280 et seq. § 52:27D-287.8 defines the income categories and other key terms that determine eligibility for programs like the Eviction Prevention Program. The income thresholds—calculated using either the prior 12 months or an annualized version of the prior 3 months of household income, whichever is lower—are central to how the Department of Community Affairs assesses applications. Tenants who believe they qualify under one of the defined income tiers may consider contacting the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs or a local tenant-rights organization to understand which protections or assistance programs may be available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.