SNAP Benefits

Lawmakers heard an update on New Mexico’s social safety net programs during a committee hearing recently and the presenters had plenty of good news about clearing long waiting lists

As the federal Farm Bill continues to stagnate in Congress, U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández hosted a roundtable this week with New Mexico farmers and ranchers to hear their concerns.

Congress has yet to establish a new Farm Bill after the last one expired in September after five years. The continued delay has left many wondering what the implications might be. Director and Secretary of New Mexico's Department of Agriculture Jeff Witte discussed the impacts New Mexico could face if the Farm Bill doesn’t get signed soon.

Congress avoided a government shutdown last week with a stopgap funding measure. However, the all-important farm bill, which is passed every five years, expired on September 30. Despite the chaos in Washington, state agriculture experts highlighted benefits the new farm bill will eventually bring during a legislative committee this week.

New Mexico gave adults over 60 years old and adults with disabilities extra Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits in June. That comes a few months after the federal government ended its pandemic expansion of the program.

As the federal public health emergency comes to end on May 11, so do expanded food and nutrition benefits. The New Mexico Human Services Department started issuing the last of the pandemic-era boost for children under 6 years old this week.

New Mexico is one of just five states that has kept its COVID-19 public health emergency order in effect. It was set to expire Friday but the governor announced it will stay in place for the rest of the month — the last of 41 extensions since March, 2020.

New Mexicans affected by wildfires may be eligible to receive disaster food benefits and unemployment assistance, but the deadlines to apply are rapidly approaching.

New Mexico residents who receive food assistance will continue to get the maximum amount allowed for their household size through the end of July. The…

Episode 47 is all about this relief money folks have been promised. Where's that unemployment? That stimulus money? That small business relief? That food…