MARKS THE ROLLOUT OF SNAP REPORTING CHANGES. NEW FRIDAY. THE STATE IS CHANGING HOW CERTAIN HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES ARE VERIFIED WHEN FAMILIES APPLY FOR SNAP OR REPORT CHANGES. AS OF MAY 1ST, NEW MEXICO WILL REQUIRE DOCUMENTATION FOR HOUSING, UTILITY AND DEPENDENT CARE EXPENSES, ALL TO HELP ENSURE SNAP BENEFITS ARE CALCULATED ACCURATELY, STATE OFFICIALS SAY. IF THOSE EXPENSES AREN’T VERIFIED, THEY MAY NOT BE COUNTED, WHICH COULD MEAN SOME FAMILIES RECEIVE LESS ASSISTANCE THAN THEY QUALIFY FOR. HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN USE TO VERIFY HOUSING COSTS A LEASE, MORTGAGE STATEMENTS, HOUSING AGREEMENTS, OR A LETTER FROM YOUR LANDLORD. YOU ALSO NEED TO SHOW UTILITY BILLS AND OTHER RECORDS, LIKE DAYCARE PROVIDER LETTERS. IF YOU’RE ALREADY RECEIVING SNAP, YOU LIKELY WON’T SEE ANY IMMEDIATE CHANGES. MANY OF THESE EXPENSE VERIFICATIONS ARE REVIEWED DURING YOUR RENEWAL PERIOD, ESPECIALLY IF YOUR INFORMATION HAS CHANGED. PEOPLE REALLY SHOULD KNOW THAT EVERYBODY IS WELCOME. THE NEW MEXICO FARMERS MARKETING ASSOCIATION IS ALSO OFFERING INCENTIVES TO HELP SNAP CUSTOMERS BUYING LOCALLY GROWN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AT FARMERS MARKETS. HERE’S HOW IT WORKS AT THE FARMERS MARKET. SNAP CUSTOMERS SHOULD FIRST STOP AT THE INFORMATION BOOTH. THERE, THEY’LL BE ASKED HOW MUCH THEY’D LIKE TO USE FROM THEIR SNAP CARD, AND IN RETURN, THEY’LL RECEIVE SPECIAL TOKENS TO SPEND AT THE MARKET. IT BASICALLY GIVES SNAP SHOPPERS 50% OFF THEIR PURCHASE OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES YEAR ROUND. SNAP CUSTOMERS GET THEIR BENEFITS DOUBLED, BUT FROM NOW THROUGH AUGUST 31ST, YOU’LL GET YOUR BENEFIT TRIPLED. IF THEY’RE TAKING $10 OFF THEIR SNAP EBT CARD, THEY WILL GET $30 WORTH OF TOKENS TO SPEND AT THE MARKET, MILLER SAYS. THERE ARE 51 OUTLETS ACROSS NEW MEXICO OFFERING THIS SERVICE, SO JUST GIVE IT A TRY AND YOU’LL PROBABLY FALL IN LOVE. THAT RESOURCE. REALLY COOL THERE ALL. AS WE ENTER THE FARMERS MARKET SEASON, WE HAVE A LIST OF EVERY OUTLET ON OUR WEBSITE REPORTING IN ALIYAH CHAVEZ KOAT ACTION 7 NEWS INFORMATION. SNAP RECIPIENTS CAN C
New Mexico SNAP shoppers can triple benefits at farmers markets through Aug. 31
The New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association is helping Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program customers stretch their dollars when buying locally grown fruits and vegetables at farmers markets.Shoppers can visit the market’s information booth, choose how much they want to spend from their SNAP card, and receive special tokens to use with participating vendors.At participating farmers markets and farm stands, SNAP purchases are matched dollar-for-dollar. According to Denise Miller, executive director of the New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association, the program effectively gives SNAP shoppers 50% off fresh fruits and vegetables.SNAP benefits are typically doubled year-round at farmers markets, but through Aug. 31, they will be tripled. “If they’re taking $10 off their SNAP EBT card, they will get $30 worth of tokens to spend at the market,” Miller said. There are 51 outlets across New Mexico offering this service. For more information, click here.In Bernalillo County, there are six outlets participating, including: Rail Yards Market ABQ, Downtown Growers’ Market, Cedar Crest Farmers’ Market, Big Jim Farms, Polk’s Folly Farm Butcher Shop & Farm Stand, and Rosales Produce.Farmers’ MarketsFarm Stands/Mobile Markets Abiquiu Farmers MarketRail Yards Market ABQAlamogordo Farmers’ MarketAztec Farmers’ MarketBelen Farmers’ MarketBernalillo Farmers MarketBloomfield Growers’ MarketBosque Farms Growers MarketCedar Crest Farmers’ MarketClovis Farmers’ MarketDowntown Growers’ Market, ABQEldorado Farmers’ MarketEspañola Farmers MarketFarmers & Crafts Market of Las CrucesFarmington Growers’ MarketGila Farmers MarketKirtland Growers MarketLos Alamos Farmers’ MarketMimbres Valley Farmers’ MarketPecos Farmers MarketPortales Farmers’ MarketQuesta Farmers MarketRail Yards Market, ABQRio Grande Farmers Market, EmbudoSanta Fe Farmers’ Market, RailyardSanta Fe Farmer’s Market, Del SurShiprock Farmers MarketSierra County Farmers MarketSilver City Farmers MarketSocorro Farmers MarketSouth Valley Growers’ MarketTaos Farmers MarketTesoros Del Valle Farmers MarketTri-County Farmers Market, Las VegasTucumcari Farmers Market Big Jim Farms, AlbuquerqueBluffs Farm, FarmingtonBustamante Farms Market, LemitarFrontier Food Hub – Mobile Market, Grant CountyGraves Farm & Garden, RoswellHope Garden at The Community Pantry, GallupPolk’s Folly Farm Butcher Shop & Farm Stand, Cedar CrestReunity Resources Farm Stand, Santa FeRosales Produce – AlbuquerqueRosales Produce – IsletaRosales Produce – SocorroSanta Fe Farmers’ Market, Tianguis Móvil Mobile MarketTrilogy Beef Community Market, MoriartyLa Semilla Farm Fresh, Anthony “So just give it a try, and you’ll probably fall in love,” Miller said. This resource coincides with New Mexico rolling out changes to its SNAP benefits, including new verification requirements for household expenses.Starting May 1, the state will require documentation for housing, utility, and dependent care expenses when families apply for SNAP or report changes. State officials said these verifications are intended to ensure benefits are calculated accurately. If expenses are not verified, they may not be counted, which could result in families receiving less assistance than they qualify for.To verify housing costs, families can provide a lease, mortgage statements, housing agreements, or a letter from their landlord. Utility bills and records, such as daycare provider letters, will also be required. For current SNAP recipients, these changes will likely be reviewed during their renewal period, especially if their information has changed.At the same time, thousands of New Mexicans receiving SNAP assistance can now access personalized support to fulfill their work requirements, which total up to 39 hours per month. Enrolled participants are paired with case managers to explore career options and assist with job searches.For more information, SNAP recipients can contact their local Income Support Division office or visit yes.nm.gov.
The New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association is helping Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program customers stretch their dollars when buying locally grown fruits and vegetables at farmers markets.
Shoppers can visit the market’s information booth, choose how much they want to spend from their SNAP card, and receive special tokens to use with participating vendors.
At participating farmers markets and farm stands, SNAP purchases are matched dollar-for-dollar. According to Denise Miller, executive director of the New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association, the program effectively gives SNAP shoppers 50% off fresh fruits and vegetables.
SNAP benefits are typically doubled year-round at farmers markets, but through Aug. 31, they will be tripled.
“If they’re taking $10 off their SNAP EBT card, they will get $30 worth of tokens to spend at the market,” Miller said.
There are 51 outlets across New Mexico offering this service. For more information, click here.
In Bernalillo County, there are six outlets participating, including: Rail Yards Market ABQ, Downtown Growers’ Market, Cedar Crest Farmers’ Market, Big Jim Farms, Polk’s Folly Farm Butcher Shop & Farm Stand, and Rosales Produce.
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“So just give it a try, and you’ll probably fall in love,” Miller said.
This resource coincides with New Mexico rolling out changes to its SNAP benefits, including new verification requirements for household expenses.
Starting May 1, the state will require documentation for housing, utility, and dependent care expenses when families apply for SNAP or report changes.
State officials said these verifications are intended to ensure benefits are calculated accurately. If expenses are not verified, they may not be counted, which could result in families receiving less assistance than they qualify for.
To verify housing costs, families can provide a lease, mortgage statements, housing agreements, or a letter from their landlord. Utility bills and records, such as daycare provider letters, will also be required.
For current SNAP recipients, these changes will likely be reviewed during their renewal period, especially if their information has changed.
At the same time, thousands of New Mexicans receiving SNAP assistance can now access personalized support to fulfill their work requirements, which total up to 39 hours per month. Enrolled participants are paired with case managers to explore career options and assist with job searches.
For more information, SNAP recipients can contact their local Income Support Division office or visit yes.nm.gov.
