The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions will begin issuing one-time $1,200 payments to unemployed New Mexicans next week.
The stimulus payment, approved by New Mexico lawmakers in November, will be made before many claimants will see their benefits end on or before Dec. 26, according to federal program guidelines.
The payment, known as the Worker Pandemic Benefit, will be sent to claimants’ preferred payment method as a separate payment in addition to their weekly unemployment benefits, according to a news release from the state workforce department.
Unemployed New Mexicans who certify and are eligible to receive benefits for either the week of Nov. 22 or Nov. 29. Additionally, claimants who exhausted their benefits between Sept. 12 and Nov. 25 are eligible, according to the release.
There is no need for claimants to apply separately for the Worker Pandemic Benefit.
All unemployment programs created by the CARES Act, including the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation programs, are currently scheduled to expire Dec 26 without further Congressional action.
