The SNAP benefits helps people with lower incomes access healthy foods. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamp Program, provides nutritional support to low-income seniors, people with disabilities living on fixed incomes, and other low-income individuals and families.
SNAP is a federal program administered by the State of Florida Department of Children and Families, Office of Economic Self-Sufficiency (ESS), which is responsible for determining eligibility using federal guidelines, eligibility rules, and benefit levels. SNAP benefits are set, for the most part, at the federal level and are uniform throughout the country. While states have the flexibility to adapt aspects of the program, individuals must meet all eligibility rules to receive food assistance benefits.
SNAP Benefits in New Mexico – Things to Know
Hundreds of New Mexico residents who are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will see increases in their benefits starting Oct. 1, 2024. On Monday, the state also announced other changes to the program, including extended certification periods and expanded eligibility. “It’s a big increase for a lot of families,” said Cody Jeff, an attorney of benefits from the New Mexico State Poverty and Law Center. “That could mean the difference between eating for the rest of the week.”
SNAP beneficiaries 60 years or older, as well as disabled people, will receive an increase in their state supplement, which will raise the minimum benefit from $32 to $100 per month. The state Health Care Authority said the increase will help approximately 26,451 families. “I think it’s going to have a big impact, especially for our elderly population and people with disabilities because they’re often on very fixed incomes,” said Niki Kozlowski, director of the New Mexico Health Care Authority’s Income Support Division.
“No New Mexican should go hungry. By expanding access to SNAP and increasing benefits, we ensure that more families, seniors, and people with disabilities have the support they need to live with dignity and safety,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a news release. “These changes are a step forward in our ongoing efforts to reduce hunger and strengthen the well-being of our communities.”
Other Important Changes in Food Stamps
Others changes important include an extension of the renewal (certification) period of benefits , which will be extended from 12 months to 36 months for beneficiaries the SNAP who are 60 years of age or older and for those with disabilities who do not have earned income. SNAP eligibility guidelines will also increase from 165% to 200% of the federal poverty limit for all recipients the SNAP . The state said this change will allow approximately 67,697 additional New Mexico families to be eligible to receive essential food assistance.
“We are very pleased that the state of New Mexico is moving forward with these changes in SNAP, and in reality they are expansions of SNAP to these programs that will really help make more New Mexicans eligible,” Jeff explained.
You can check your eligibility for SNAP and other HCA programs in some of the options below:
- Visit Yes.state.nm.us and complete the online application.
- Present one of the ISD field offices throughout the state to apply.
- Call 1-800-283-4465 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. m. and 7 p.m. m. and 6:30 p.m. m. Monday through Friday to complete an application over the phone.