TRENTON -- The state Assembly approved legislation Thursday that would restore food stamp benefits to 11,000 unemployed people who may lose them because a temporary program expired and the Christie administration declined to seek an extension from the federal government.

Having already passed the Senate last week, the bill (S993) goes to Gov. Chris Christie, who will decide whether to sign into law.

It's unlikely he will support it, however. His administration decided against applying for a waiver under the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program that would have allowed people who live in high-unemployment counties and municipalities to continue to qualify for benefits.

People across the U.S. are required to work or participate in a work activity at least 20 hours a week to receive subsidized food aid under the federal SNAP program, formerly known as food stamps. But because of the struggling economy, a statewide waiver had been available since 2009 to allow "able-bodied adults" from age 18 to 49 without dependents to qualify for the aid without a time limit despite not fulfilling the work requirement.

New Jersey, like many states, lost eligibility when the economy improved. The state unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in January.

The 11,000 unemployed people were notified in January and and February their benefits would run out on March 1 and April 1, respectively, unless they were employed, state spokeswoman Nicole Brossoie said.

As the unemployment rate dipped this summer, State Human Services officials told food bank operators and anti-poverty groups the state would seek a waiver from the job rule in the counties with high unemployment before the state program ended. But the administration ultimately declined to seek the waiver, saying it would focus on finding people work and making the job-ready.

"Rather than piecemeal New Jersey's compliance with a federal work requirement for SNAP benefits, New Jersey would augment its workforce training strategies to move this population into work programs that will help clients to meet the work requirement, maintain benefits and progress to self-sufficiency," Human Services spokeswoman Nicole Brossoie told NJ Advance Media last month.

The bill the Assembly approved by 59-9 vote with seven abstentions would require Human Services to annually review SNAP data to see if any recipients would qualify for the work exemption. The department also would have to issue monthly reports to the legislature on the number of people who are at risk of losing benefits because they have not been able to find a job.

If the department's review finds that a waiver is likely to be approved for the state or any area of the state, the commissioner must submit a request for a waiver, according to the bill.

"Unfortunately, we still have a significant number of counties still struggling to rebound from the recession, making it harder for residents to find work," said Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (D-Passaic). "For the long-term unemployed, SNAP benefits can make the difference between whether they go to bed hungry at night or not. This bill will ensure that these waiver requests are submitted immediately when warranted so this doesn't happen."

Editor's note: SNAP benefits expire in March and April for the 11,000 people affected unless they find work or enroll in a work activity. An earlier version of this story did not include the expiration date of their benefits.

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.