Hot food SNAP benefits extended in NM; Disaster food benefits expanded to Rio Arriba, San Juan counties
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The New Mexico Health Care Authority announced new changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for those impacted by wildfires and floods in New Mexico.
Hot food benefits extended
SNAP customers in New Mexico will have an additional 30 days, or until Aug. 25, to purchase hot prepared foods from deli departments at EBT-authorized retailers.
“Prepared hot meals are an essential source of nutrition, convenience, and comfort, especially in the aftermath of the fires and floods,” Kyra Ochoa, deputy secretary for the New Mexico Health Care Authority, stated in a news release. “Being able to purchase ready-to-eat, warm meals can make a significant difference for families as they recover and rebuild.”
The New Mexico Health Care Authority requested and was granted this emergency measure in the wake of fires and flooding. This benefit is not applicable to restaurants or other non-EBT-authorized retailers.
Disaster food benefits expanded to Rio Arriba and San Juan counties
New Mexicans affected by flooding in San Juan and Rio Arriba counties may be eligible for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits, according to the New Mexico Health Care Authority.
Those affected can apply for D-SNAP on Aug. 12-16 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Aug. 19 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Approximately 127,000 residents of San Juan and Rio Arriba counties were impacted and may be eligible to apply for D-SNAP benefits. The current Presidential Disaster Declaration has been expanded to include community members who live or work in San Juan or Rio Arriba County in the identified zip codes:
87548
87510
87537
87566
87037
87364
87401
87402
87410
87412
87413
87415
87416
87417
87418
87419
87420
87421
87455
87461
87499
“We are grateful for our federal partners’ assistance as New Mexicans recover from devastating flooding. Their support, along with the efforts of our dedicated staff, will help more families as we work together to rebuild our communities,” Kari Armijo, cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Health Care Authority, stated in a news release.
Impacted residents can apply for D-SNAP at the following locations:
San Juan County HCA Office, 101 W. Animas, Farmington, NM 87401
Rio Arriba County HCA Office, 228 Paseo de Onate Street, Espanola, NM 87532
Residents unable to drive to the D-SNAP locations may call 1-800-283-4465, 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday to apply by phone, document their case, and verbally attest their information.
To be eligible, residents may qualify if their home or belongings were damaged or destroyed or have experienced a loss or reduction in income and have unreimbursed disaster-related expenses, due to the disaster. Eligible households will receive one month of D-SNAP benefits to purchase groceries at SNAP-authorized stores or select online retailers. These benefits will be deposited onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, allowing applicants to use it like a debit card at authorized retailers.
Additionally, participating SNAP households in the impacted areas, not already receiving the maximum benefit amount for their household size will automatically receive a supplement to increase their benefits to the monthly SNAP allotment for one month.
HCA staff will determine applicants’ eligibility. The only requirements to apply for D-SNAP is to verify your identity and have information about your household’s income and any expense related to the disaster. The table below shows the benefit levels:
Household Size | Income Limit | D-SNAP Allotment |
1 | $3,041 | $291 |
2 | $3,958 | $535 |
3 | $4,547 | $766 |
4 | $5,354 | $973 |
5 | $5,899 | $1,155 |
6 | $6,588 | $1,386 |
7 | $7,087 | $1,532 |
8 | $7,588 | $1,751 |
Each Additional member | +$501 | $219 |
HCA will assist residents alphabetically by last name for the first four days of the application period. The remaining three days will be open to all applicants, regardless of their last name.
Date | Alphabet Served |
Monday, Aug. 12 | A-G |
Tuesday, Aug. 13 | H-N |
Wednesday, Aug. 14 | N-T |
Thursday, Aug. 15 | U-Z |
Friday, Aug. 16 | A-Z |
Saturday, Aug. 17 | A-Z |
Sunday, Aug. 18 | Closed |
Monday, Aug. 19 | A-Z |
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