SANTA FE — New Mexico is launching a temporary, state-funded food assistance program in response to new federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program rules that will cut food benefits for thousands of lawfully present immigrants across the state.
State officials estimate that about 19,485 lawfully present immigrants in New Mexico will lose federal SNAP eligibility over the course of the year as households come up for renewal. The change stems from new federal eligibility restrictions that took effect January 1, 2026.
To address the expected loss of food assistance, and with the support of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, the New Mexico Legislature appropriated 12 million dollars during the October special legislative session. The funding will provide a one-time, state-funded lump-sum payment to current SNAP customers affected by the federal change.
The payment will be calculated as an individualized percentage of a household’s previous SNAP benefit, helping offset the immediate loss of federal assistance. The New Mexico Health Care Authority encourages affected households to keep their EBT cards, which will be used to distribute the state-funded assistance.
Eligibility for the state-funded payment is tied to the SNAP renewal process. Current SNAP customers who lose federal eligibility due to the new rules must complete their renewal to be assessed. The one-time payment will be issued retroactively to eligible households that lost federal benefits on or after January 1, 2026. Approved households will receive a notice confirming eligibility.
The federal restrictions are tied to changes under H.R. 1, which narrowed the list of immigration status categories that qualify for SNAP. As a result, some lawfully present immigrants — including refugees, asylees, and individuals admitted for urgent humanitarian reasons — may lose federal food benefits when they renew or apply.
New Mexico Health Care Authority Secretary Kari Armijo emphasized the importance of completing the renewal process. She said renewing SNAP benefits keeps people connected to assistance programs, allows eligibility to be determined accurately, and helps ensure that state-funded support reaches families as quickly as possible during the transition.
New applicants who apply for SNAP on or after January 1, 2026, and who do not meet federal immigration eligibility requirements will not qualify for the state-funded assistance.
More information about SNAP changes is available through the New Mexico Health Care Authority website.