General Eligibility Requirements
NOTE: Glossary words are highlighted. Click on any glossary word to see its definition.
What is a SNAP household?
A "household" is the basic unit used by SNAP. A SNAP household is an individual or a group of people who buy food and prepare meals together to eat at home.
Spouses who live together, and children living with a parent are considered part of the same SNAP household, even if they do not prepare meals together. Some people who live in the same house, such as live-in attendants and certain boarders, are not included in the SNAP household.
If you live with family members but you do not want to be included in their SNAP household, you must show proof that you do not share meals with them.
Certain members of a SNAP household may be ineligible for benefits. For example, household members who do not have Social Security numbers or do not meet the work requirements are not eligible. Even though these household members are not eligible for benefits, their income and assets are counted in determining financial eligibility for the household.
The rules about SNAP households are complicated. If you have questions, ask your Income Support Division (ISD) worker.
Who is eligible for SNAP?
To get food assistance in New Mexico, your household:
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must buy food and prepare meals to eat at home.
Note: People living in subsidized elderly housing, drug/alcohol treatment centers, disabled/blind group homes, battered women's shelters, or homeless shelters may be able to get food stamps even if these institutions serve meals.
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must live in New Mexico in the area served by the ISD office where you apply.
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must meet the income and resource limits. For details, see Financial Eligibility.
Household members who are applying for benefits:
Some households automatically meet most eligibility requirements for assistance:
Households where all members are receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families), GA (General Assistance), or SSI (Supplemental Security Income) automatically meet residency, Social Security number, income, and resource requirements for SNAP. This is called categorical eligibility.
The Food and Nutriton Program has a pre-screening eligibility tool that you may use to help you determine if you are eligible for SNAP benefits,
Can noncitizens get SNAP?
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may be able to get SNAP if you are in one of the eligible noncitizen categories listed below.
If you are not in one of these categories, or if you choose not to report your immigration status, or if you do not provide a Social Security number, you cannot get benefits for yourself. However, you can still apply for household members who are eligible.
Getting SNAP will not make you a public charge, and will not hurt your application for change of status or citizenship.
The noncitizens listed below CAN get assistance if they meet all other eligibility requirements:
OR
- you had one of these immigration statuses prior to becoming a legal permanent resident
*eligibility limited to 7 years from the date status was granted
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- you are a child under 18
- you are receiving benefits for blindness or disability
- you have lived in the U.S. with qualified status for at least five years
- you were born on or before 8/22/31 and were lawfully residing in the U.S. on 8/22/96
- you are a veteran or active duty personnel
- or you are an LPR with 40 or more credits of qualifying work (spouse and parent credits can be used)
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- Parolees, paroled into the U.S. for at least one year
- Conditional entrants
- Certain battered noncitizens (or parents of abused children)
- Legal permanent residents (LPRs)
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- American Indians born in Canada or members of recognized tribes
- Members of Hmong or Laotian tribes that assisted the U.S. during the Vietnam Era and certain family members
- Non-citizen nationals (people born in American Samoa or Swain's Island)
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Your eligibility may also depend on other factors. Nonimmigrants (such as visiting students) are not eligible for assistance. You must have proof of your immigration status to be eligible for SNAP.
Rules about SNAP eligibility for noncitizens are complicated and change frequently. Your ISD worker will explain the rules that apply to you.
Note: The ISD will report noncitizens known to be in the U.S. illegally. If you are not sure of your immigration status, you should contact Legal Services for help.
Can elderly or disabled people get SNAP?
Many people who are elderly or disabled get assistance. There are special eligibility rules for seniors age 60 or older and for the disabled. These special rules make it easier to qualify.
Households with elderly or disabled members:
- have a higher resource limit ($3000)
- can take medical deductions for elderly/disabled members
- do not have a limit on the shelter deduction
- do not have to pass a gross income test
In addition, elderly/disabled household members:
- do not have to meet food stamp work requirements
- can have a telephone interview instead of an in-office interview.
If any one in your SNAP household is getting or applying for SSI, you can apply for assistance at your local Social Security office. You do not have to see an ISD caseworker or have another interview. The SSA worker will help you fill out the form and will send it to the ISD for you.
Can college students get SNAP?
Most college students and students in post-secondary business and trade schools are not eligible for assistance. However, students may be eligible if they meet one or more of the following conditions:
- are age 17 or younger; or age 50 or older
- are enrolled less than half-time
- are physically or mentally unfit for employment
- work for pay at least 20 hours per week
- take part in a federal or state work-study program (for any number of hours)
- care for a dependent household member under age 6 (or under age 12 in certain cases)
- are getting TANF
- are in school as part of a government job training program or employer-sponsored on-the-job training program
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