SANTA FE – New Mexico households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits will continue to receive the maximum amount for their household size for the month of October, announced the New Mexico Human Services Department. SNAP recipients will receive the extra amount Oct. 10, 2021.

“The additional food benefits ensure New Mexicans in need can put food on the table and keep their families fed,” said Angela Medrano, Human Services Department deputy secretary. “The extra money makes a difference in many lives.”

The emergency assistance will increase a household’s monthly benefit up to the maximum food benefit amount for their household size (see table below). SNAP recipients do not have to take any action to receive these additional food benefits as they will be placed directly on their electronic benefits transfer cards. 

“The emergency food stamps allotment have been very helpful to me and my son. I am on Social Security and normally do not get the maximum amount that could be given for two people. My amount usually lasts a little over two weeks, after that I start running out of regular purchases,” said Jennifer Billings, a SNAP customer in Las Cruces. “My son loves fresh fruits and vegetables and I normally cannot keep a lot of them on hand as they are expensive. The emergency allotment has made it so I do not run out of the regular items we use all the time and I can keep more fresh fruits and vegetables in the house, and not have to worry about what to do if I run out of things we need.”

Since March of 2020, SNAP households that were not already receiving the maximum SNAP food benefit for their household size have received an increase bringing their food benefits to the maximum amount each month. These increases were made to help reduce food insecurity for New Mexicans during the COVID-19 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. Newly approved SNAP recipients will be eligible for the supplemental benefit.

Below is a table that reflects the maximum monthly allotment per household size.

The Human Services Department provides services and benefits to 1,112,495 New Mexicans through several programs including: the Medicaid Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program, SNAP, Child Support Program, and several Behavioral Health Services.

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