November SNAP benefits could be delayed for New Mexicans

An estimated $90 million in food assistance could be delayed for New Mexicans next month.

If the federal government shutdown continues, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, will not get funding in November, potentially delaying SNAP benefits for more than 460,000 New Mexicans.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, was already supposed to run out of federal dollars, a shortfall New Mexico was prepared to cover. But the Trump administration funneled money from tariffs to keep WIC running through October.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture notified New Mexico’s Health Care Authority on Friday that November SNAP benefits will not be funded if the federal government shutdown continues, Health Care Authority Secretary Kari Armijo told the Legislative Finance Committee on Wednesday.

That likely means benefit delays for New Mexicans.

“We are prepared to — if the shutdown comes to an end in the next couple of weeks — really act quickly and make sure that folks get those benefits as timely as possible in November,” Armijo said. “But as of right now, it’s looking like those benefits will be delayed.”

A delay would also affect about 1,700 retailers across New Mexico that accept SNAP benefits, Armijo said.

The shutdown is entering week three, and appears to be at a stalemate.

The Republican-led House passed a temporary funding bill in September that would continue funding the federal government at the same level into November, but the bill has repeatedly failed to pass in the Senate.

Senate Democrats have proposed their own temporary funding bill that would extend expiring health insurance subsidies and reverse some of the Medicaid cuts made earlier this year. That bill has also failed to pass, and the House has been out of session, increasing pressure on Democrats to pass the Republican bill in the Senate.

During a special legislative session this month, New Mexico lawmakers approved $16.6 million in state funding to maintain SNAP benefits for low-income seniors, individuals with disabilities and other lawfully present residents.

Legislators also authorized funding aimed at preventing layoffs for employees administering the food assistance program, along with $10 million for the state Health Care Authority to implement eligibility changes mandated by a federal budget bill.

But those investments would not stave off short-term benefit delays. Even if the state had $90 million available, it does not have the infrastructure in place to quickly replace delayed benefits, Armijo said. New Mexico sends SNAP customer information to a vendor, then the federal government loads SNAP benefits onto electronic benefit transfer, or EBT, cards.

USDA is looking at deauthorizing SNAP retailers from authorizing EBT purchases in November, Armijo said.

The Health Care Authority is working with food banks and partnering with other agencies to find other ways to get food out to New Mexico’s families, Armijo said. State lawmakers also approved $8 million during the special session to support food banks, food pantries, regional distribution organizations and partner agencies.

WIC funding

WIC was funded for less than two weeks after the shutdown began but received enough federal dollars to continue running through October, according to New Mexico Health Department spokesman David Morgan.

WIC supports 45,515 mothers, pregnant women and children in New Mexico with food, breastfeeding support, infant formula, nutrition education and health care referrals.

The Trump administration is using tariff revenues to keep WIC afloat, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on X. The Trump administration moved $300 million to WIC last week to keep it running during the shutdown.

WIC was a “godsend” for Las Cruces resident Maribel Salmon when her children were young.

“It was a springboard to be able to then get into a better job, to be able to financially support my family,” said Salmon, who is a family engagement senior associate with Save the Children Action Network.

WIC clinics on military bases may be closed during the shutdown, but military families can visit any other WIC clinic in the state for services, Morgan said. Individuals getting WIC benefits through a tribe or tribally serving organization are encouraged to contact their local tribal WIC office directly for more information.

NMDOH will continue to monitor federal impacts and is committed to maintaining services, Morgan said.

Journal Capitol Bureau Chief Dan Boyd contributed to this report. Cathy Cook covers the federal government for the Albuquerque Journal. Reach her via email at ccook@abqjournal.com.