Court Proceedings in hearings on New Mexico Human Services Department’s slow processing of food stamps were paused late last month, after multiple state employees testified they were told by supervisors to falsify information on food stamp applications.
More Human Services Employees continued to testify they were instructed to falsify or delay applications. Supervisors were also called to testify in their role of falsifying the applications, but invoked their 5th amendment right against self- incrimination.
The Human Services Department asked for 90 days to conduct an investigation and provide a report on how they intend to remedy any problems that are found.
Sovereign Hager with the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty, the team challenging the state, says the investigations can continue but are asking for a third-part expert to run the department in accordance with the law.
“But we also think from the evidence presented already it’s clear that the department is not in compliance with the law,” Hager said. “They can’t even tell if they are processing food assistance as the law requires, they need to do an investigation to figure that out. Yet, top members of the department are pleading the 5th amendment to not incriminate themselves. This shows that something is very, very wrong in the Department. And we heard today that it affects families that are eligible and need emergency assistance. Some of the poorest people in New Mexico are being denied that food assistance in order to make processing numbers look better, and that’s really troubling.”
The Judge gave the Human Services Department 60 days to provide a full report and respond to the allegations presented. The Human Services Department declined to comment. Hearings will continue in Las Cruces in July.
