SANTA FE – New Mexico households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will again receive the maximum amount for their household size for the month of May, the New Mexico Human Services Department announced on Thursday.
In March and April, 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.
“HSD continues to find ways to support New Mexican’s during this pandemic,” said Karmela Martinez, director of HSD’s Income Support Division which administers the SNAP program, formally known as food stamps. “These additional SNAP benefits are intended to help alleviate some of the social and economic stresses caused by the pandemic.”
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 a 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.
New applicants approved for SNAP benefits during the public health emergency will receive the maximum SNAP benefit until the public health emergency expires at the federal level.