NEW MEXICO

New Mexico Works (NM Works)

New Mexico Works (NM Works), New Mexico’s TANF program, provides time-limited cash assistance to very low-income families who meet the eligibility requirements.

While cash benefits are somewhat modest at about $550 per month for a family of three, NM Works remains a vital source of support for thousands of families.

As a condition of eligibility, non-exempt adult recipients must participate in monthly work activities for at least 20 to 30 hours per week to maintain their benefits.

How much is cash assistance in New Mexico?

TANF benefits in New Mexico vary by household size, income, and available resources. A family of three with no income may receive up to $550 per month in cash assistance.

If you lose TANF eligibility due to increased earnings, the state provides up to $200 per month for 18 additional months to support your transition.

How do I apply for cash assistance in New Mexico?

Starting October 1, 2024, new applicants for SNAP and TANF benefits are required to complete an interview to determine eligibility, ending the interview waiver that was established during the COVID-19 health emergency.

Applications for all public assistance in New Mexico can be completed online through Yes! New Mexico  or in-person at an Income Support Division (ISD) office.¹

New Mexico Human Services Department
Income Support Division (ISD)
(800) 283-4465

New Mexico Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

New Mexico SNAP helps low-income families afford a nutritionally adequate diet. A low-income family is generally defined as one whose gross income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

Benefit amount will depend on factors like income, expenses, and number of individuals in the household. For example, a family of three with no income may receive up to $785 in monthly benefits.

What is the maximum monthly income for SNAP in New Mexico?

The table below shows the monthly gross income limit depending on household size. For example, a household of 3 may be eligible for SNAP if their monthly income is $4,442 or less.

How do I apply for food stamps in New Mexico?

Applications for SNAP in New Mexico can be done online through Yes! New Mexico . Once your application is verified, you will be notified by letter within 30 days as to whether or not your SNAP assistance is approved.

New Mexico Human Services Department
Client Services Center
(800) 283-4465

New Mexico SUN Bucks

SUN Bucks, also knowns as Summer EBT, helps families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer months of June, July, and August.

Each eligible child (ages 5–18) will get one card with $120 to buy groceries — that’s $40 per month for June, July, and August. The benefits will be added to an existing EBT card or a newly issued Summer EBT card.

Most children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals, or get SNAP, TANF, and/or Medicaid, are automatically enrolled. No application will be needed.

Children attending a NSLP/SBP school who are not otherwise automatically eligible may apply online at https://summerebtnm.org .

New Mexico Human Services Department
Summer EBT Hotline
(505) 695-8454

Find Summer Meal Sites in New Mexico

Along with SUN Bucks, children under 18 in your home may also receive free meals during summer break at over 600 summer meal sites across New Mexico.

Use the Summer Meals for Kids Finder  to find directions to nearby meal sites or call (800) 328-2665 to find the location closest to you.

New Mexico Free School Lunch Program

New Mexico’s National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally-subsidized meal program that provides nutritious, low-cost or free lunches to eligible students each day.

Before the pandemic, New Mexico students were eligible for free or reduced breakfasts and lunches if their household income is 130% (free) or 185% (reduced) of the federal poverty guidelines.

Under the current law, no K-12 student in New Mexico will have to pay for their meals, making New Mexico the 5th state to make universal school meals a permanent policy.

Are school lunches free in New Mexico?

Yes. All participating schools will offer one breakfast and one lunch at no cost to all students during each school day, regardless of their family’s income.

Contact your specific school district’s food service department for enrollment and program details, as eligibility and universal programs vary by district.

New Mexico Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

New Mexico WIC helps low-income families with checks or vouchers to buy healthy supplemental foods from WIC-authorized vendors.

WIC is available to pregnant, breast feeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5 by providing:

• Healthy Foods
• Breastfeeding Promotion and Support
• Nutrition Education
• Community Referrals

What is the income limit for WIC in New Mexico?

In New Mexico, WIC serves women, infants, and children whose income is at or below 185% of the federally poverty. Priority is given to women and children with the most serious health risks.

How do I apply for WIC in New Mexico?

To apply for WIC in New Mexico, contact a local WIC clinic to schedule an appointment. To find the nearest location, call the New Mexico Family Health Bureau at (505) 476-8800.

New Mexico Turquoise Care

Turquoise Care is the new name for the New Mexico Medicaid Managed Care program that offers health coverage to eligible individuals and families in New Mexico.

Most people on Medicaid in New Mexico receive services under the Turquoise Care program through one of these four managed care organizations (MCOs):

1. Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico
2. Molina Healthcare of New Mexico
3. Presbyterian Health Plan
4. United Healthcare Community Plan of New Mexico

Members can select their preferred plan during enrollment, and each MCO offers unique “value-added services” beyond standard Medicaid benefits, such as Turquoise Rewards  for healthy activities.

What is the income limit for Medicaid in New Mexico?

As New Mexico is expanding Medicaid coverage, nearly all uninsured adults age 19—64 with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) may now gain coverage.

Pregnant women are covered up to 255% of the federal poverty level. Benefits include prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum care extended to a full year after birth.

What is the income limit for children’s Medicaid in New Mexico?

New Mexico’s CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) and Medicaid for children are broadly divided into these two age groups, each with different income thresholds.

Children ages 0—5 may be eligible for coverage up to 305% of the federal poverty level, while children ages 6—18 may qualify at 245% of the federal poverty level.

Families who do not qualify for Turquoise Care may be eligible to receive cost-saving subsidies through BeWellNM  which is New Mexico’s official health insurance marketplace.

New Mexico also offers “Turquoise Plans ” on BeWellNM, which have significantly lower deductibles and out-of-pocket costs compared to standard plans.

How do I apply for Medicaid in New Mexico?

To apply for Medicaid, visit Yes! New Mexico  and create an account if you don’t already have one. You may also apply by phone by calling (855) 637-6574.

New Mexico Human Services Department
Customer Service Center
(800) 283-4465

New Mexico Child Care Assistance Program

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps cover the cost of child care for families who are working, are working, in school or in job training.

With New Mexico’s move to universal child care , CCAP will now support all families regardless of income, making it the first state in the nation to offer no-cost universal child care starting November 1, 2025.

What is the income limit for child care assistance in New Mexico?

New Mexico now offers free child care to all families, regardless of income level. The program was previously available to any family member or any family whose income was below 400% of the federal poverty level.

How do I apply for child care assistance in New Mexico?

You can apply for child care assistance through the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD), which administers the state’s Child Care Assistance Program.

ECECD Eligibility Portal 

New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department
Child Care Assistance – Customer Service
(800) 832-1321

If you need help selecting a child care provider, call
Child Care Resource and Referral
(800) 691-9067

New Mexico Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

New Mexico’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists eligible New Mexico residents and families with their heating and cooling costs.

The program provides assistance for regular energy bills, energy efficiency improvements (weatherization), and emergency situations through its crisis component.

LIHEAP applications are accepted year-round, from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026, subject to the availability of federal funds.

What is the income limit for LIHEAP in New Mexico?

To be eligible, household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, which is about $3,331 per month for a family of three.

How much does LIHEAP pay in New Mexico?

Eligible households may receive a one-time credit of up to $490 for heating, cooling, or crisis. Priority is given to households with the lowest incomes and the highest heating costs.

How do I apply for LIHEAP in New Mexico?

You can apply for LIHEAP online through Yes! New Mexico , or in person or by mail through your local Income Support Division (ISD) office.

New Mexico Human Services Department
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
(800) 283-4465

For a listing of the nearest ISD offices, call
(505) 827-7250

Five tribes in New Mexico operate their own LIHEAP programs rather than applying through the state. These include the Navajo Nation, Jicarilla Apache Nation, Pueblo of Laguna, Pueblo of Nambe, and Pueblo of Zuni.

Eligible members of these tribes must apply directly through their tribal LIHEAP office instead of the state program, as benefit amounts and eligibility rules may differ from the state program.

New Mexico Energy$mart Weatherization

In addition to the energy assistance benefit, households that are eligible for LIHEAP may also qualify for weatherization services such as weather stripping, windows, furnaces, water heaters, cooking stoves, caulking and insulation through New Mexico Energy$mart program at no cost.

Administered by Housing New Mexico (MFA), it provides upgrades up to $6,000, making homes more efficient, especially crucial for managing heating/cooling costs across New Mexico’s varied climates.

What is the income limit for Weatherization in New Mexico?

To be income-eligible for the New Mexico Energy$mart Weatherization program, your household income must generally be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

The program often prioritizes older adults, people with disabilities, families with children, and households with high energy usage. The following table outlines the maximum monthly income allowed based on family size:

How to apply for Weatherization in New Mexico?

To apply for NM Energy$mart, homeowners and renters must apply through one of three service providers  serving their geographic area of residence.

New Mexico Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

NOTICE: Funding is no longer available for LIHWAP. Households may not receive LIHWAP benefits at this time but may apply for New Mexico Water Service Hardship Program instead.

New Mexico LIHWAP is a temporary, federally-funded water assistance program for low-income households in New Mexico to help offset the costs of water and wastewater bills.

Eligible households may receive a benefit of up to $1,500 each, to pay for reconnection of services and for arrearages, including all past due amounts, reconnection fees, and associated late fees if applicable.

How do I get help paying my water bill in New Mexico?

If you are in danger of falling behind on your water bills and need help, you may apply online for New Mexico Water Service Hardship Program  which offers one-time, direct-to-bill grants of up to $200.

The program is available from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, for services that are off or in threat of termination.

New Mexico Unemployment Insurance

New Mexico Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary cash benefits to eligible workers who lost their job through no fault of their own.

As a condition of eligibility, you must have earned a minimum amount of wages in a recent ‘base period’, which is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim.

If not eligible under the standard base period, an alternate base period (the most recent four completed quarters) will be used instead.

How much do I get for unemployment in New Mexico?

The current maximum weekly benefit amount in New Mexico is $598, which does not include any additional dependency allowance.

If you have dependent children under 18, you may receive an additional allowance of $25 per child for up to two children, capped at 50% of your weekly benefit amount.

How do I file for unemployment in New Mexico?

There are two ways to file for unemployment in New Mexico, either electronically  at New Mexico Workforce Connection online system or over the phone at (877) 664-6984.

New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions
Unemployment Insurance Division
(877) 664-6984

New Mexico Student Incentive Grant

Student Incentive Grant is in place to encourage New Mexico students with unmet financial need to pursue higher education at New Mexico public colleges or universities.

SIG is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need — those with the lowest Student Aid Index (SAI) and least ability to pay for college.

Eligible students may receive up to $2,500 per year depending on financial need and may be renewed on an annual basis until the student graduates.

No separate application is required as eligibility is determined by the FAFSA. As funding is limited, students are encouraged to file their FAFSA as early as possible after October 1.

New Mexico Higher Education Department
Financial Aid Division
(800) 279-9777

New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship

New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship is a tuition-free college program that covers 100% of tuition and required fees for eligible New Mexico residents pursuing career training certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees at New Mexico public colleges and universities.

The scholarship covers up to 90 credit hours for an associate’s degree and 160 credit hours for a bachelor’s degree. It also covers up to $50 per credit hour for course-specific fees.

There is no separate application for the Opportunity Scholarship. Eligible students are automatically awarded the scholarship upon enrollment at a participating institution.

New Mexico Higher Education Department
Financial Aid Division
(800) 279-9777

New Mexico Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC)

New Mexico’s Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) is the state’s equivalent of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) that helps put money back in the pockets of hard working New Mexicans.

The New Mexico’s refundable credit is now worth 25% over and above the allowable credit you get from the federal government.² That’s additional $250 for every $1,000 you claim on your federal tax return.

New Mexico is also one of a handful states that have expanded the credit to filers as young as 18 and expand eligibility to ITIN filers.

How much is NM Working Families Tax Credit?

Can I get a refund if I owe no tax in New Mexico?

If your NM EITC is $2,012 and you owe $1,000 in state income tax, the credit cancels your tax bill and you receive the remaining $1,012 as a refund as illustrated in the table below:

New Mexico Child Tax Credit

Introduced in 2022, the New Mexico Child Tax Credit is a fully refundable state tax credit of up to $653 per qualifying child for families in the lowest income bracket.

The credit amount is determined on a sliding scale based on income and will phase out in smaller increments but remains available for households earning up to $350,000.

The following brackets represent the credit amount you can claim in 2025 for each qualifying child based on your adjusted gross income (AGI).³

Because it is fully refundable, if the credit exceeds the amount of tax you owe, the difference is returned to you as a cash refund.

To claim the New Mexico Child Income Tax Credit, complete the PIT-1 Personal Income Tax Return or use the Taxpayer Access Point  (TAP) for faster processing.