N.J. Legislature Votes To Restore Federal Food Stamps Waiver Dropped By Christie Admin.

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The Democrat-led New Jersey state Legislature has passed a bill to restore a federal food stamps waiver that the Christie administration recently stopped applying for.

The Assembly approved the measure Thursday to require the administration conduct a study on whether a need for the waiver exists. If it does, then the state must apply for the waiver. The bill now goes to Republican Gov. Chris Christie.

State Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly (D-Bergen County) said the program was beneficial for many New Jersey residents.

"It had a major impact on many residents of the state of New Jersey who are honestly at the financial situation that either they're unemployed, or working at minimum wage, or working poor, to make sure that they're able to put food on the table for themselves and their families," he said.

The administration announced in December it would stop seeking a waiver for ``able-bodied'' adults without dependents for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, once called food stamps.

Wimberly told WCBS 880 he was surprised by the Christie administration's move.

"You have people who are working paycheck to paycheck and working minimum wage, so them not receiving stamp benefits has a major impact not only on them but their kids, so I mean, I was very surprised," he said.

Since 2009, New Jersey was able to waive a requirement that food-stamp recipients work at least 20 hours a week because of the struggling economy. But the administration said the state cannot continue because the economy has improved.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)