State announces a 23 percent increase in cash assistance for low-income New Mexico families

Over 9,000 low-income New Mexicans saw an increase in monthly cash assistance through the TANF program

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) today announced over 9,000 low-income New Mexicans received a 23 percent increase in payments from cash assistance programs for families struggling with the rising cost of living. As of August 2023, financial assistance payments increased for a family of four from $539 to $663. This is the first increase in cash assistance for New Mexicans since 2011.

The cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program was substantially increased during the 2023 New Mexico Legislative Session, through House Bill 2 and signed into law by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. TANF provides a monthly cash assistance used to meet basic needs such as housing, utilities, and clothing.

“We know the costs of basic needs have increased in recent times, such as transportation, shelter and utilities for our customers making it difficult to make ends meet,” said Kathy Slater-Huff, acting deputy secretary for the New Mexico Human Services Department. “This increase in monthly cash assistance will help pay for necessities and make life a little easier for over 9,000 New Mexicans.”

HSD administers the federal TANF program, known in New Mexico as NMWorks. The program helps New Mexico families overcome financial barriers and provide resources to help low-income New Mexicans across the state.

To qualify for TANF, a person must:

Live in New Mexico.
Be below income and resource limits set for the program.
Have dependent children aged 18 or younger who are citizens or have eligible immigration status.
If children are 19, they must be a full-time high school student expected to graduate before the end of the month in which they become 20.
Provide information on monthly income: Eligibility guidelines are provided HERE.

Most people who qualify for TANF may qualify for other services provided by HSD. Use the HSD Field Office Locator to find your local Family Community Resource Center or contact the Customer Service Center from 7:00 a.m. -6:30 p.m., Monday-Friday at 1-800-283-4465.

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We talk, interpret and smile in all languages. We provide written information to our customers in both English and Spanish and interpretation services are available in 58 languages through our provider, CTS Language Link. For our hearing, and speech impaired customers, we utilize Relay New Mexico, a free 24-hour service that ensures equal communication access via the telephone to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled.

The Human Services Department provides services and benefits to 1,034,001 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.