Food Benefits Available for Wildfire and Flood Disaster Victims
Lincoln and Otero County Residents, Including the Mescalero Apache Tribe, May Apply Beginning July 10, 2024
The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) announced today that New Mexicans affected by the South Fork and Salt fires may be eligible for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits.
Residents affected by these disasters can apply for D-SNAP from July 10-12, 2024, and July 14-17, 2024. At Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s request, the state has received federal approval to implement D-SNAP for Lincoln and Otero counties, including the Mescalero Apache Reservation. Approximately 18,000 residents impacted by the fires may be eligible to apply.
Eligibility and Application Details
To qualify for D-SNAP, residents must have experienced damage or destruction of their home or belongings, a loss or reduction in income, or unreimbursed disaster-related expenses due to the disaster. Eligible households will receive one month of D-SNAP benefits to purchase groceries at SNAP-authorized stores or select online retailers. Benefits will be deposited onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, usable like a debit card at authorized retailers.
Participating SNAP households in the impacted areas, not already receiving the maximum benefit for their household size, will automatically receive a supplement to increase their benefits to the monthly SNAP allotment for one month. Additionally, households that purchased food with their SNAP benefits and had it destroyed due to the disaster have until July 17, 2024, to request a replacement of SNAP benefits.
Application Locations and Hours
Impacted residents can apply for D-SNAP at the following locations:
Horton Complex: 237 Service Rd, Ruidoso, NM 88348
Roswell ISD Field Office: 1701 S. Sunset Ave, Roswell, NM 88203
Alamogordo ISD Field Office: 2000 Juniper Drive, Alamogordo, NM 88310
Applications will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, starting Wednesday, July 10, through Wednesday, July 17, with all sites closed on Saturday, July 13. On Sunday, July 14, D-SNAP sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the Call Center will be closed. Residents unable to drive to the D-SNAP locations may call 1-800-283-4465 to apply by phone, document their case, and verbally attest their information.
Application Schedule
To ensure one-on-one guidance, HCA will assist residents alphabetically by last name for the first three days of the application period. The remaining four days will be open to all applicants, regardless of their last name.
Income Limits and Benefits
The table below shows the benefit levels based on household size and income limits:
Additional Information
"We are grateful for our federal partners' assistance as New Mexicans face the impact of these devastating wildfires and flooding. Their support, along with the efforts of our dedicated staff, will help more families as we work together to rebuild our communities," said Kari Armijo, Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Health Care Authority. "We want to assure New Mexicans that we are here to support them during this challenging time."
For more information or to request a replacement of SNAP benefits, call 1-800-283-4465, or visit any of the D-SNAP site locations.
Stay informed and stay safe as we work together to recover and rebuild.
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