(The Center Square) – Hundreds of thousands of additional New Mexico residents will soon be eligible for food stamps as the state expanded its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit eligibility.
“No New Mexican should ever have to go hungry. By expanding SNAP access and increasing benefits, we’re making sure more families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities have the support they need to live with dignity and security,” Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement. “These changes are a step forward in our ongoing efforts to reduce hunger and strengthen the well-being of our communities.”
SNAP recipients ages 60 and older, and people with disabilities will see their state supplement increase. The minimum benefit will increase from $32 monthly to $100. The change will impact over 26,450 households statewide.
This increase will cost the state $14,106,800.00; New Mexico will use state general funds to pay for it, an HCA spokesman told The Center Square via email.
“The SNAP program supports over 470,000 New Mexicans each month,” Kari Armijo, Secretary of the Health Care Authority, said. “These changes to SNAP will increase both the minimum benefits and eligibility limits for SNAP customers statewide.”
The state will also expand its renewal certification period for benefits from 12 months, up to 36 months for SNAP recipients in three categories: 60 and older, disabled people, and those with no earned income.
The HCA will provide an annual notice to these households to report changes to their household expenses. If no changes occur, the HCA won’t require action until the 36th month.
Additionally, SNAP eligibility will increase from 165% to 200% of the federal poverty limit for all SNAP recipients, a release said. This will result in 67,697 more New Mexico families being eligible for the welfare program.
“For example, a family of four with a gross monthly income up to $5,200 may now qualify for benefits, provided all other eligibility criteria are met,” the release said. “Previously, a family of four would be eligible if their monthly income was $4,290 or less.”
This will cost $764 million, an HCA spokesman told The Center Square. New Mexico and the federal government will fund $382 million of that increase each.