Emergency benefits include food replacement, EBT card reissue, and hot meal purchases
SANTA FE — In light of the recent severe flooding in Chaves County and other affected areas, the New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) is providing emergency support to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers. This assistance includes replacing lost food benefits, reissuing EBT cards, and temporarily allowing hot food purchases.
SNAP customers in Chaves County who experienced food loss due to the storm and flooding have until Monday, Nov. 25 to report their loss and request replacement benefits. Replacement benefits are available for households in the following affected ZIP codes: 88201, 88202, 88203, 88230, 88232, and 88253.
“Our priority is to support those affected by the flooding in Chaves County,” said Niki Kozlowski, Income Support Division Director. “Replacing lost and damaged food is one of the ways we are helping impacted residents.”
People can report food loss in person at the local HCA field office, located at 1701 S. Sunset Ave., Roswell, NM 88203. Staff are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Reports can also be made by calling HCA at (800) 283-4465 between 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
To qualify for replacement benefits, households must:
- Report the food loss verbally or in writing to the HCA by Nov. 25. Written reports can be submitted in person at the local HCA field office.
- SNAP customers must reside in one of the affected ZIP codes listed above.
Additionally, SNAP customers statewide can replace lost or damaged EBT cards by downloading the FIS EBT Edge app, visiting www.ebtedge.com, contacting the FIS card service at 1-800-843-8303, and visiting or calling HCA.
To further support those affected, the HCA is temporarily allowing SNAP customers in flood-affected counties — Chaves, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Otero — to use their EBT cards to purchase hot foods prepared for immediate consumption. This emergency measure, effective immediately, will remain in place until Dec. 17.
“Families impacted by the October floods are still navigating significant challenges,” said Kyra Ochoa, Deputy Secretary for the New Mexico Health Care Authority. “This temporary measure ensures they have access to warm and nutritious meals as they recover.”
Hot food purchases are limited to meals prepared at grocery store deli counters that are EBT-authorized retailers. This benefit does not apply to restaurants or other non-EBT-authorized retailers. This measure covers approximately 9,148 households and was made possible through federal approval as part of the Presidential Disaster Declaration requested by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for the severe storm and flooding that took place on Oct. 19-20.
These actions are part of the state’s ongoing efforts to assist families recovering from flood-related damages. The HCA is committed to ensuring those impacted have access to the resources needed during this challenging time.
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