New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 8 - SOCIAL SERVICES
Chapter 139 - FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
Part 610 - PROGRAM BENEFITS - ISSUANCE AND RECEIPT
Section 8.139.610.12 - GENERAL (BENEFIT AMOUNT)

(1) The HCA uses a 30-day calendar month to determine a household's SNAP benefit amount. A household applying on the 31st of the month will be treated as if it applied on the 30th.

(2) When a household is determined eligible, the SNAP benefit amount is calculated, issuance authorization is processed that night, and SNAP benefits are issued the following work day.

(1) The maximum SNAP allotment shall be based on the thrifty food plan (TFP). TFP means the diet required to feed a family of four persons consisting of a man and a woman 20 through 50, a child six through eight, and a child nine through 11 years of age, determined in accordance with USDA calculations. The cost of such diet shall be the basis for uniform allotments for all households regardless of their actual composition. In order to develop maximum SNAP allotments, USDA shall make household size and other adjustments in the thrifty food plan taking into account economies of scale and other adjustments as required by law. The TFP amounts and maximum allotments are adjusted annually.

(2) Except when SNAP benefits are prorated and when reductions are made at the national level, a household's monthly SNAP benefit amount is equal to the maximum SNAP allotment for the household's size reduced by thirty percent of its net monthly income.

(3) The maximum SNAP allotment can be calculated by multiplying a household's net income by thirty percent, rounding the result up to the next whole dollar, and subtracting that amount from the TFP for the appropriate household size (https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/cost-living-adjustment-cola-information).

(1) Applying from institutions: For households applying for SSI and SNAP benefits before release from an institution, the SNAP benefit amount for the initial month of certification will be based on the date of the month the household is released from the institution. The household will receive SNAP benefits from the date of the household's release from the institution to the end of the month.

(2) Benefits less than ten dollars ($10): If the initial month's calculations yield a SNAP benefit amount of less than ten dollars ($10), then no issuance will be made for the initial month. For households entitled to no SNAP benefits in the initial month, but eligible in subsequent months, ISD shall certify a household beginning with the month of application.

(1) Except during an initial month, all eligible one- and two-person households, including categorically eligible households, will receive a minimum monthly SNAP benefit amount.

(2) Determination: Minimum amounts are determined by federal guidelines and may be adjusted each year. All eligible one and two person households, including categorically eligible households, will receive the minimum monthly SNAP benefit amount, which can be found at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/cost-living-adjustment-cola-information.

(3) All eligible households with three or more members which are entitled to no benefits (except because of the proration requirements and the provision precluding issuances of less than ten dollars ($10) in an initial month as per Paragraph (2) of Subsection C of 8.139.610.12 NMAC), ISD shall deny the household's application on the grounds that its net income exceeds the level at which benefits are issued.