New Mexico gives $12M in one-time SNAP aid to 19,500 legal immigrants who lost benefits due to a 2025 federal law.

New Mexico is providing $12 million in one-time SNAP assistance to about 19,500 legal immigrants who lost federal food benefits due to a 2025 federal law restricting eligibility to certain non-citizens. The state-funded program, launched after a special legislative session, offers lump-sum payments to affected households, with funds deposited onto existing EBT cards. Eligibility is tied to SNAP renewal, and recipients must have lost benefits on or after January 1, 2026. Residents are urged to renew benefits and contact local HCA offices or call 1-800-283-4465 for help. The state is also pushing to repeal the law’s key provisions and has allocated broader funding to offset federal cuts.