SANTA FE – The New Mexico Human Services Department is pleased to announce that New Mexico households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will again receive the maximum amount for their household size for the month of September.
Beginning in March 2020, SNAP households that were not already receiving the maximum SNAP benefit amount for their household size received an increase to their benefits to bring them to the maximum amount each month. These increases were made to help ease circumstances for New Mexicans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As we continue to navigate this challenging time, we are doing all we can to help New Mexicans keep food on the table,” said Karmela Martinez, director of HSD’s Income Support Division which administers the SNAP program, formally known as food stamps. “This pandemic has created economic strains for many New Mexico families and help, support and resources are available.”
SNAP households will automatically receive the additional allotment in the same way they receive their current benefits. For those SNAP recipients with a regular issuance date of Sept. 1-11, they will receive a supplement on Sept. 12, 2020. For those SNAP recipients with a regular issuance date of Sept. 12-30, they will receive their benefits and the supplement on their regular issuance date.
Individuals seeking to apply for SNAP benefits may apply online through www.yes.state.nm.us or by phone at 1-800-283-4465.
SNAP benefits are determined by household size and net income amount. The net income amount is determined by taking the household’s gross income and subtracting allowable deductions. Allowable deductions are items like, housing, utilities, childcare costs and medical expenses. The net monthly income is then multiplied by 30 percent, the number that remains is subtracted from the maximum monthly allotment, and the remaining amount is the total allotment for the household size. Additionally, newly approved SNAP applicants will be eligible for the supplemental benefit.
On the next page is a table that reflects the maximum monthly allotment per household size.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP
Oct. 1, 2019 – Sept. 30, 2020
Household Size
Maximum SNAP Monthly Allotment
1
$194
2
$355
3
$509
4
$646
5
$768
6
$921
7
$1,018
8
$1,164
+ Each Additional Person
+$146
The Human Services Department provides services and benefits to more than 1 million New Mexicans through several programs including: the Medicaid Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Child Support Program, and several Behavioral Health Services.