General Eligibility Requirements
NOTE: Glossary words are highlighted. Click on any glossary word to see its definition.
Who is eligible for GA?
To be eligible for General Assistance, you must meet these requirements:
You must be in one of these categories:
- Been found to have a time-limited (30 days to six months from date of disability), temporary, or permanent disability. You must show proof of your disability to ISD.
- Not receiving other cash assistance benefits such as TANF or SSI, including cash assistance from any other state. You can be receiving supplemental nutrition assistance (food stamps), LIHEAP and Medicaid.
- A dependent child who is attending school full time.
AND
- You must be a New Mexico resident.
- You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
- You must have a Social Security number or have applied for one.
AND
- You must meet financial eligibility requirements (non-liquid and liquid resources).
Who is not eligible for GA?
You are NOT eligible for General Assistance:
- If you have an outstanding default warrant (for example, if you did not pay a fine or you missed a court date)
- If you are an undocumented noncitizen
- If you are a caretaker family and you are not trying to get custody or guardianship of the children living with you, unless you have good cause for not doing so.
Can noncitizens get GA?
If you are not a U.S. citizen but you meet all of the other eligibility requirements for General Assistance, you may be able to get General Assistance if you are in one of the following eligible noncitizen categories:
- Legal permanent resident (LPR)
- Refugee
- Asylee
- Withholding of deportation noncitizen
- PRUCOL: permanently residing under color of law
- Cuban/Haitian entrant
- Amerasian from Vietnam
- Victim of severe form of trafficking
In addition to being in one of these categories, you must:
- be ineligible for SSI, TANF, or other cash assistance programs
- be able to show proof of your immigration status and residency in New Mexico
- be taking steps to become a citizen, if you are eligible to become a U.S. citizen within the next three years.
Rules for noncitizens are complicated and subject to change. Your caseworker will explain the rules that apply to you.
Are there work requirements for people receiving GA?
General Assistance recipients who are disabled and other exempt individuals are not required to work. There may be work requirements for families with children receiving General Assistance.
Can seniors get GA?
Yes, seniors age 65 or older can get General Assistance. To qualify, seniors must:
- be New Mexico residents
- be citizens or eligible noncitizens
- have a Social Security number (or applied for one)
- meet General Assistance financial eligibility requirements
- have applied for SSI and are waiting for benefits or were found not eligible for SSI benefits.
Most seniors with low incomes and few assets are eligible for SSI once they turn 65. However, it may take several months before the Social Security office sends you your benefits. General Assistance will give you short-term benefits while you wait for SSI benefits. Once SSI benefits start, General Assistance benefits will stop.
Seniors not eligible for SSI will receive General Assistance as long as they continue to meet the General Assistance requirements.
Can families get GA?
Some families may be eligible for General Assistance if everyone in the benefit group meets the requirements for General Assistance. Remember: you cannot receive General Assistance if you are receiving TANF.
If I am not married, but live with another adult and have children, can our household get GA?
Yes, you can get General Assistance providing you meet the other eligibility requirements of General Assistance (such as income and assets). Adults caring for children must have legal guardianship or custody of the children or be applying for guardianship or custody.
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