The objective of general assistance is to provide cash assistance to dependent needy children and disabled adults who are not eligible for assistance under a federally matched cash assistance program, such as New Mexico works (NMW) or the federal program of supplemental security income (SSI).

Basic General Assistance Rules

• You must provide your SSN within 60 days of approval.
• You must be:
  • a citizen of the United States;
  • a naturalized citizen;
  • an alien that entered the United States as a legal permanent resident or PRUCOL before August 22, 1996; or
  • an alien who entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996, and who meets the definition of a qualified alien, and is subject to the five-year bar from participation in the federally funded TANF cash assistance program.
• You must be living in the state of New Mexico, and have demonstrated an intent to remain in the state.
• You CANNOT be:
  • included as a benefit group member and receiving cash assistance from another department cash assistance program;
  • an SSI recipient;
  • a recipient of benefits from a federally-funded TANF program (including a tribal program) or BIA-GA program;
  • a recipient of a government-funded adoption subsidy program; or
  • a recipient of benefits from a TANF or GA program in another state.
• You may not be the payee for more than one GA cash assistance payment.
• The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program, Medicaid, LIHEAP and other similar programs are not considered concurrent assistance and shall not make an individual ineligible for GA cash assistance programs.

For more details please contact your nearest office.

The legislative policy for the General Assistance Program is available here.