NEW MEXICO

What benefits can a single mother get in New Mexico?

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A single mother with two children in New Mexico with no income may qualify for up to $550 a month in cash assistance (TANF) and up to $808 a month in food benefits (SNAP). A one-time utility payment (LIHEAP) may add up to $490. Child care assistance and Medicaid coverage may also be available.

New Mexico Benefits Overview

Last updated: November 9, 2026

Benefit amounts and eligibility requirements are subject to change. Always verify current program requirements with the administering agency.

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Estimated benefits for a single mother in New Mexico

Program	Estimated maximum amount
Cash Aid Short-term cash assistance for basic needs, rent, and utility bills.
New Mexico Works	$550a month
Food & Nutrition Grocery and nutrition assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Summer EBT, and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.
SNAP	$808a month
Summer EBT	$240each summer
WIC	$52a month
Housing & Utilities Assistance with rent, home repairs, or heating/cooling bills.
LIHEAP	$490one time
Section 8	Check eligibility
Education & Training Tuition, books, and school expenses for single mothers returning to college or vocational training. Apply through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Pell Grant	$7,395a year
For the 2027—2028 academic year, a single mother in a household of 3 in New Mexico can earn up to $59,963 and still qualify for the maximum Pell grant of $7,395.
New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship	Check eligibility
Other financial assistance programs Copay
Child Care Assistance Program	$0at this income
Turquoise Care	Check eligibility
If help is urgent
For food, a place to stay, or help keeping the utilities on, start with New Mexico 211.

This is an unofficial benefits estimator. No personal data is collected or stored. Actual amounts may vary based on individual circumstances, location, eligibility criteria, and recent data updates at the time of application. The federal programs available in every state are described in the guide to grants for single mothers.

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 Health Care Authority
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 $808 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 $4,553 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 Health Care Authority
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 Health Care Authority
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?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in New Mexico, WIC serves women, infants, and children whose income is at or below 185% of the federally poverty.² 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 (866) 867-3124.

New Mexico Department of Health
New Mexico WIC
(866) 867-3124

New Mexico Turquoise Care

Turquoise Care is the name of New Mexico’s Medicaid managed care program. Most members receive care through a health plan, while Native American members may choose whether to enroll in managed care.

Adults ages 19 through 64 may qualify under Medicaid expansion with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level. For a household of three, that is about $3,142 per month. Income limits are higher for children and pregnant women, and pregnancy coverage continues for 12 months after the pregnancy ends.

The four participating plans offer standard Medicaid coverage along with plan-specific extra services. See the New Mexico Medicaid guide for program details.

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 Health Care Authority
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,³ CCAP has supported all families regardless of income, making New Mexico the first state in the nation to offer no-cost universal child care.

Does New Mexico provide free childcare?

Yes, New Mexico provides free, no-cost universal child care for eligible children from birth to age 13, regardless of income level.

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

There is no income limit for child care assistance in New Mexico. Before universal child care began on November 1, 2025, families generally had to have income below 400% of the federal poverty level to qualify, regardless of income or immigration status.

See the full New Mexico child care guide for income limits by household size and other details.

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.

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

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.

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. LIHEAP applications are accepted year-round, subject to the availability of federal funds.

New Mexico Health Care Authority
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
(800) 283-4465

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

New Mexico Energy$mart Weatherization

New Mexico Energy$mart provides energy-saving upgrades and home repairs at no cost to eligible homeowners and renters. Housing New Mexico, the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA), administers the program.

A household qualifies at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or when a member receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI), disability income or TANF.

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 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.⁴

To claim the credit, file your New Mexico personal income tax return (Form PIT-1) and attach the Rebate and Credit Schedule (Form PIT-RC), completing the Working Families Tax Credit lines. The credit is denied if those lines are left blank.

New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department
Tax Call Center Phone
(866) 285-2996

New Mexico Child Tax Credit

Introduced in 2022, the New Mexico Child Tax Credit is a fully refundable state tax credit of up to $637 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).⁵

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.