Disaster food aid applications open for residents harmed by South Fork and Salt fires, flooding

In participating states, low-income families will receive $40 each month for each eligible school-aged child, up to $120, to buy groceries, beginning in the summer of 2024. Shown is a sign at a grocery store noting the acceptance of electronic benefit transfer, or EBT, cards, on Dec. 4, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

Applications for food benefits can be submitted today by some residents from Mescalero Apache Reservation, Lincoln or Otero counties who were impacted by destruction caused by the South Fork and Salt fires.

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) is part of the Presidential Disaster Declaration signed June 20 following the wildfire and flooding that is devastating communities in the Sacramento Mountains.

Eligibility is based on whether residents’ “home or belongings were damaged or have experienced a loss or reduction in income and have unreimbursed disaster-related expenses,” according to the New Mexico Health Care Authority, which oversees the program for people in the state.

Applicants will need to verify their identity and show Health Care Authority staff household income and disaster-related expenses. Households eligible for assistance will receive one month of D-SNAP benefits on an EBT card for use at authorized locations.

Assistance is based on the number of people per household and can range from $291 for a single person household and $1,751 for a family of eight.

The Health Care Authority will approve and send out information on how people who qualify can use their card for food purchases.

Anyone already using SNAP who lives in the areas affected by fire and flooding and are not receiving the maximum benefit allowed based on household size will “automatically” receive supplemental benefits for a month.

Applications for D-SNAP are open July 10-12 alphabetically by last name and July 14-17 for all.

• July 10: A-F
• July 11: G-M
• July 12: N-Z

Those interested in applying can do so at several locations including:

• Horton Complex, 237 Service Rd., Ruidoso, NM 88348
• Roswell ISD Field Office, 1701 S. Sunset Ave., Roswell, NM 88203
• Alamogordo ISD Field Office, 2000 Juniper Dr., Alamogordo, NM 88310

People can also apply by calling 1-800-283-4465. Locations will be open for in-person applications from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 14; the call center will be closed that day.

Residents in impacted areas who had food purchased with SNAP benefits destroyed in the fires or flooding can request replacement benefits . Applications for this assistance can be made at the D-SNAP locations or by phone at 1-800-283-4465. The deadline to apply is July 17.

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