SNAP and food help for older adults in New Mexico

Who qualifies

• Income: New Mexico uses a gross income limit of 200% of the federal poverty level for SNAP households.
• Household: SNAP looks at the people you live with and buy and make food with.

Your benefit is based on your income after certain costs are taken off. Tell HCA about your housing costs and your heating and cooling bills, and give proof of medical bills you pay yourself.

New Mexico's state supplement for older households

New Mexico pays a state SNAP supplement to some older and disabled households. You get it if all of these are true:

• everyone in your household gets SNAP
• everyone in your household is elderly (60 or older) or disabled
• no one in your household has earnings from work
• your federal SNAP amount is at or below the federal minimum benefit

The state sets the supplement amount each year, based on the money it has. It is added to your EBT card at the same time as your federal SNAP, and you use the same card. You do not apply separately. HCA checks for it when it figures your SNAP.

The state confirmed in August 2026 that it still supplements senior SNAP benefits.

How to apply

1. Use one form for several programs. The HCA 100 application covers SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs and LIHEAP energy help.
2. Choose how to send it:
   • Online: yes.nm.gov
   • By phone: 1-800-283-4465
   • In person: at a local HCA Income Support Division office
   • By mail: Central ASPEN Scanning Area (CASA), PO Box 830, Bernalillo, NM 87004
   • By fax: 1-855-804-8960
3. Sign Section One. HCA will accept your application if it has your name, address and signature, so send it even if you do not have all your papers yet.
4. Send proof if HCA asks for it, such as a Social Security award letter, pension statement, rent or mortgage papers, utility bills and medical bills.
5. Get a decision. HCA decides within 30 days, or within 7 days if you qualify for faster (expedited) help.

After you apply

• Renewal: most SNAP households renew every 12 months. Elderly or disabled households with steady income that is not from work can be approved for 24 months.
• Report changes: tell HCA within 10 days if you move. Report other changes within 10 days if they would end your SNAP or raise your benefit. Some households report only every six or twelve months; your notice tells you which rule you have.
• Appeals: you have 90 days from the date of the notice to ask for a fair hearing. If you ask within 13 days, your benefits stay the same until the decision. Fill in the bottom of your notice, call 1-800-283-4465, or write to HCA's Office of Fair Hearing, P.O. Box 2348, Santa Fe, NM 87504-2348 (505-476-6213).

Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

This program gives older adults money to spend on fresh fruits, vegetables and honey at approved farmers' markets and roadside stands.

• Age: 60 or older, or 55 or older for Native American people.
• Income: at or below 185% of the poverty level.
• Benefit: up to $50.
• How to apply: call the Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-800-432-2080 to find out where to sign up near you.
• Where: farmers' markets, mobile markets and roadside stands.

Monthly food boxes (CSFP)

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program gives people 60 and older a food box each month, with recipes and nutrition tips. You must meet income rules and show a photo ID and proof of age. HCA has more information at hca.nm.gov.

Senior meals

• Group meals at senior centers and home-delivered meals are for people 60 and older.
• A spouse or caregiver of a homebound person who qualifies can also get meals.
• To sign up, contact your local senior center or Area Agency on Aging. New Mexico has the City of Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Area Agency on Aging and the Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging. The ADRC at 1-800-432-2080 can connect you.

Things people often miss

• Energy help can raise SNAP. If someone in your home is 60 or older or disabled, getting LIHEAP energy help can still count toward your SNAP utility deduction.
• Apply even with a small expected benefit. The state supplement can add to a small federal amount.

Free help

• Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC): 1-800-432-2080, [email protected].
• HCA Customer Service Center: 1-800-283-4465.
• Free legal help: 1-833-545-4357.

See also SSI and all benefits in New Mexico.

Phone numbers: Free help lines for New Mexico agencies

Check what you may qualify for