Benefits for seniors in New Mexico

Medicaid for people 65 and over

Turquoise Care is New Mexico's Medicaid program. HCA decides who qualifies.

• Who qualifies: people 65 and over, or blind or disabled, who get SSI, or whose income and assets are at SSI levels.
• Income: after some income is left out, below the federal SSI payment of $994 a month for one person or $1,491 for a couple.
• Assets: up to $2,000 for one person or $3,000 for a couple.
• Working with a disability: the Working Disabled Individuals program allows earned income up to 250% of the poverty level and assets up to $10,000 for one person or $15,000 for a couple.
• What it covers: doctor and hospital care, prescriptions Medicare does not cover, and other medical care. If you also have Medicare, Medicare pays first.

Long-term care. Turquoise Care can pay for nursing home care, or for care at home through the Community Benefit (see "Help staying at home").

• Income: up to $2,982 a month for one person.
• Assets: up to $2,000 for one person.
• A spouse at home can keep between $32,532 and $162,660 of the couple's assets, and may keep at least $2,643.75 a month in income.
• Home equity: your home equity must be $752,000 or less.
• In a nursing home, you keep $97 a month for personal needs. Most of your other income goes toward your care.

Estate recovery. If you got long-term care from Medicaid at 55 or older, HCA may seek repayment from your estate after you die. It will not collect if you leave a spouse, a child under 21, or a blind or permanently disabled child. Heirs can ask in writing for a hardship waiver. Call 1-800-283-4465.

Coming in 2027: starting January 1, 2027, back coverage for older adults and people with disabilities will go from up to 3 months before you apply to up to 2 months. Apply as soon as you need care.

Help paying Medicare costs

HCA runs the three main Medicare Savings Programs. They pay your Part B premium ($202.90 a month in 2026). QMB also pays Medicare deductibles and copays. New Mexico uses the federal income levels:

• QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): income up to 100% of the poverty level, about $1,350 a month for one person or $1,824 for a couple.
• SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): up to 120%, about $1,616 a month for one person or $2,184 for a couple.
• QI-1 (Qualifying Individual): up to 135%, about $1,816 a month for one person or $2,455 for a couple.
• Assets: New Mexico has no asset limit for these programs.

Some income is not counted, so apply even if you are a little over. If you get any Medicare Savings Program, you also get Extra Help with drug costs automatically.

Prescription drug help

We did not find a state drug program for seniors in New Mexico. Apply for Extra Help, the federal program that lowers Part D premiums and copays. If you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, you get Extra Help automatically. SHIP counselors can help you compare drug plans for free.

Extra state payment with SSI

New Mexico does not pay a state supplement to SSI recipients who live on their own. Social Security's most recent published description of New Mexico lists a supplement only for people living in a licensed adult residential care home. Most people get just the federal SSI payment of $994 a month. If you live in a licensed adult residential care home, ask HCA about the supplement.

Food help

SNAP helps you buy food. In New Mexico, HCA runs it.

• Apply: online at yes.nm.gov, by phone at 1-800-283-4465, or at an HCA field office.
• Utility costs: if someone in your home is 60 or older or disabled, getting energy help (LIHEAP) can still count toward your SNAP utility deduction. Tell HCA about your heating and cooling costs.
• Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program: if you are 60 or older (55 or older for Native American people) with income at or below 185% of the poverty level, you can get up to $50 for fresh produce and honey at farmers' markets and roadside stands.
• Senior meals: senior centers serve group meals, and home-delivered meals are available for people who cannot get out. Call the ADRC at 800-432-2080 or ask your local senior center.

Help staying at home

• Community Benefit: Turquoise Care members who need the level of care a nursing home gives can get help at home. Services include personal care, respite for caregivers, adult day health, assisted living, home health aide, emergency response devices and home changes. After the first 120 days you can choose a self-directed option and pick your own workers.
• How to start: if you have Turquoise Care, call your care coordinator. If you are not a member yet, call the ADRC at 1-800-432-2080 to talk with an Options Counselor.
• PACE: the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly is for people 55 and older who need nursing home level care but can live safely at home. InnovAge New Mexico PACE is the provider HCA names. Contact the PACE organization to get on its waiting list.

Property tax and housing help

These rebates are claimed on form PIT-RC with your New Mexico personal income tax return (PIT-1).

• Property Tax Rebate for people 65 or older: if your modified gross income was $16,000 or less, you can get up to $250. Renters qualify too: 6% of your yearly rent counts as property tax.
• Extra rebate in some counties: homeowners in Bernalillo, Doña Ana, Los Alamos and Santa Fe counties with income of $24,000 or less can get up to $350 more. There is no age limit.
• Low-Income Comprehensive Tax Rebate: for people with modified gross income of $36,000 or less.
• Value freeze for homeowners 65 and over or disabled: if your income is under a yearly limit, the taxable value of your home can be frozen. Apply with your county assessor. After three years in a row with no change, you do not have to reapply. Check the current income limit with your county assessor.

Help with energy bills

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), run by HCA, helps with heating and cooling bills and energy emergencies.

• Income: up to 150% of the poverty guidelines.
• Benefit: between $80 and $560 for heating or cooling. Homes with someone 60 or older get extra priority points.
• Apply: online at yes.nm.gov, by phone at 1-800-283-4465, or at an HCA field office.

Free help and counseling

• State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): free, unbiased Medicare counseling from the Aging and Disability Resource Center, part of the Aging and Long-Term Services Department. Counselors explain Medicare choices, help you enroll, and check you for programs that help pay costs. Call 1-800-432-2080.
• Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC): call 1-800-432-2080 or email [email protected] for help finding services.
• Area Agencies on Aging: New Mexico has an Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Area Agency on Aging and a Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging. The ADRC can connect you.
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: for problems in a nursing home or assisted living, call 866-451-2901.

How to apply

Check what you may qualify for