§ 44:10-50 — Absent child, eligibility for benefits

7. a. A dependent child who has been or is expected by a parent, legal guardian or caretaker relative to be absent from the home for a period of time as established by regulation of the commissioner, shall remain eligible for benefits during that period, except that, an absence for periods or for reasons other than those stipulated in regulations adopted by the commissioner shall be cause for denial or termination of benefits for that dependent child. b. A parent, legal guardian or caretaker relative who does not report the absence of a dependent child to the county agency by the end of the five-day period beginning on the day that the parent, legal guardian or caretaker relative becomes aware that the child will be absent, shall be ineligible for benefits pursuant to federal law for a period of time as determined by the commissioner. L.1997,c.14,s.7.