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Kevin S. Settlement
Keep Your Benefits NM
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The Health Care Authority’s mission is: We ensure that New Mexicans attain their highest level of health by providing whole-person, cost-effective, accessible, and high-quality health care and safety-net services.

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SNAP Changes

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

SNAP rules have changed as of January 1, 2026. If you are a SNAP customer, it is very important to keep your address and contact information up to date and respond immediately to all notices sent by HCA. Many adults who receive SNAP will need to meet work requirements by completing 80 activity hours within a month and report them when they renew, unless they qualify for an exemption.

Activity hours can include

  • Work (paid or unpaid)
  • Volunteering or community service
  • Job training
  • Workforce or education programs

Many people are exempt. Check whether activity hours apply to you.

For Help Finding Work visit dws.state.nm.us

For volunteer opportunities in the Albuquerque area, visit oneabqvolunteers.com

Looking for more volunteer opportunities? Check the link to the –> New Mexico Volunteer Sites List for opportunities across the state.

This optional form helps ABAWDs keep track of their volunteer hours. The person in charge of the volunteer work must sign it. You only need to submit this form when applying for your first grant, renewing it, or if your reported work hours are less than 20 hours per week. Link–> Volunteer Hours Verification Document

If you have any questions, ask for help. See “Where To Go For More Help” section.

THE KEY CHANGES

  • Some adults must complete 80 activity hours within a month
  • You may need to report your activity hours when you apply for or renew your SNAP
  • You can combine different types of activities to reach your 80 activity hours
  • Some people who were exempt before may now need to meet the activity hour rule
  • If you do not meet the rule for three months, your SNAP may stop. There is no limit on how many times an individual may regain eligibility and subsequently maintain eligibility by meeting the work requirement.
  • Some lawfully present immigrants may no longer qualify for SNAP when they renew their benefits. Eligibility will be reviewed during SNAP renewal. However, they may be able to receive state-funded benefits.

For additional questions and answers regarding ABAWD Work Requirements, click link here

WHO IT IMPACTS

The activity hour rule may apply if all of these are true:

  • You are 18 to 64 years old
  • You are able to work
  • You are not caring for a child under age 14
  • You do not qualify for an exemption

The rule does not apply in some areas:

  • Luna County
  • Laguna Pueblo
  • San Felipe Pueblo
  • Taos Pueblo
  • Tesuque Pueblo

You may be exempt from activity hours if you

  • Are pregnant
  • Have a disability or get SSI
  • Care for someone
  • Work 30+ hours per week
  • Are a student
  • Get unemployment
  • Are in certain treatment programs
  • Are Native American

Changes to Some Previous Exemptions

Some groups who were previously exempt may now need to meet the activity hours rule if they do not qualify for another exemption.

Examples include

  • Veterans who do not meet another exemption
  • People experiencing homelessness who are not otherwise exempt
  • Young adults aging out of foster care
  • Adults ages up to age 64

HOW TO PREPARE FOR CHANGES

To keep your SNAP benefits:

  • Check whether activity hours apply to you
  • See if you qualify for an exemption
  • Be ready to report your exemption, if you have one
  • If the activity hours apply, plan how you will reach 80 activity hours within a month
  • Keep copies of the following for your records:
    • Pay stubs
    • Volunteer logs
    • Job training forms
  • Make sure your contact information is up to date, and watch for letters from HCA

HOW TO REPORT YOUR ACTIVITY HOURS

How to report your activity hours (when required):

You need to report at these times:

  1. When you apply for SNAP
  2. At your SNAP renewal
  3. If your hours drop below 20 hours per week (80 hours per month)

Why this matters:

  • If you do not meet the 80 activity hours rule, the month counts as a missed month
  • After 3 missed months, your SNAP benefits may stop
  • You can get SNAP again if you meet the rule later

WHERE TO GO FOR MORE HELP

    Other SNAP changes

    Immigrant Eligibility Changes

    Started January 1, 2026

    Federal SNAP rules have changed for some lawfully present immigrants.

    Under the new federal law, H.R.1, some lawfully present immigrants no longer qualify for federally funded SNAP when they renew their benefits.

    Your eligibility will be reviewed when you renew your SNAP benefits.

    SNAP Utility Deduction

    Started November 1, 2025 

    If your household does not include: 

    • A person 60 or older, or 
    • A person with a disability, 

    then LIHEAP alone will no longer count toward your SNAP utility deduction. 

    You will need to tell us if you pay for heating or cooling costs for your home. If you don’t have a utility bill, lease, or landlord letter, ask us for help showing your heating and cooling costs.  

    👉 Learn more: New SNAP Utility Deduction Rules 

    ¡Mantenga sus beneficios, Nuevo México!

    Actualice su información

    Lo Que Necesita Saber 

    Una ley federal aprobada en julio de 2025 cambiará los beneficios de Medicaid y SNAP en Nuevo México. Algunos cambios en SNAP comenzarán a finales de 2025 y otros en 2026. Es importante mantenerse informado y tomar acción cuando sea necesario para no perder sus beneficios por error. 

    Lo que necesita hacer ahora mismo

    • Asegúrese de que la Autoridad de Atención Médica tenga su número de teléfono y dirección actuales. 
    • Si se muda, actualice su dirección de inmediato para no perder avisos importantes.
    • Abra y lea todo el correo que reciba de la Autoridad de Atención Médica. 
    • Manténgase informado sobre los próximos cambios de SNAP visitando esta página web, siguiéndonos en redes sociales o llamando o visitando su oficina local. 
    • Responda de inmediato si le piden información.
    • Reporte cambios en sus ingresos, dirección o en su hogar de inmediato.
    • Mantenga registros de sus horas de trabajo, capacitación o voluntariado.
    • Pregunte ahora si podría calificar para una excepción de trabajo o voluntariado

    Cómo mantenerse prepararse 

    • Empiece a prepararse ahora—no espere. 
    • Mantenga copias de: 
      • Talones de cheque
      • Formularios escolares 
      • Registros de voluntariado  

        ¿Necesita ayuda para entender estos cambios? 

        ¡Estamos aquí para ayudar!

        ¿Cuáles son los cambios en SNAP?

        Requisito de Trabajo de SNAP

        Están comenzando nuevas reglas de trabajo. 

        Muchos adultos de entre 18 y 64 años que no cumplen con los requisitos de una excepción deben trabajar o ser voluntarios para conservar sus beneficios. Pregúntenos si califica para una excepción. Para obtener ayuda para encontrar trabajo, visite: www.dws.state.nm.us,y para oportunidades de voluntariado en el área de Albuquerque, visite: oneabqvolunteers.com.

        ¿Busca más oportunidades de voluntariado? Consulte el enlace de la –> Lista de sitios de voluntariado de Nuevo México para oportunidades en todo el estado.

        Este formuliario  opcional ayuda a los ABAWD a llevar un registro de sus horas de voluntariado. La persona a cargo del trabajo voluntario debe firmarlo. Solo necesita presentar este formulario a solicitar su primera beca, renovarla o si sus horas de trabajo reportadas son inferiores a 20 horas semanales. Link–> Documento de verificación de horas de voluntariado.

        Cambios en los requisitos de trabajo de SNAP y preguntas frecuentes

        Cambios en la Elegibilidad de Inmigrantes

        Las reglas federales de SNAP han cambiado para algunas personas inmigrantes con estatus legal.

        Bajo la nueva ley federal, H.R.1, algunas personas inmigrantes con estatus legal ya no califican para beneficios de SNAP con fondos federales cuando renuevan sus beneficios.

        Su elegibilidad se revisará cuando haga la renovación de sus beneficios de SNAP.

        Deducción de Servicios Públicos de SNAP

        Comenzó el 1 de noviembre de 2025 

        Si su hogar no incluye:

        • Una persona de 60 años o más, o
        • Una persona con discapacidad,

        entonces, LIHEAP por sí solo ya no se contabilizará para su deducción de servicios públicos de SNAP.

        Avísenos si usted paga la calefacción o el aire acondicionado de su vivienda.
        Si no tiene una factura, contrato de renta o carta del dueño, contáctenos para ayudarle a comprobar estos gastos.

        👉 Más información: Nuevas reglas de la deducción de servicios públicos de SNAP  

        Kit de Herramientas de Divulgación

        Cambios en SNAP – Volantes (Ingles Y Español)