FAQ Posted: New federal rules may affect your SNAP food benefits

SANTA FE — About 55,750 New Mexicans will need to work, volunteer or attend training for 80 hours a month to keep receiving SNAP food benefits under the new federal law taking effect Jan. 1, 2026. 

These federal mandates, passed by Congress in July, expand work requirements for able-bodied adults to include those ages 55-64, add an exception for Native Americans, and remove exceptions for veterans, people experiencing homelessness and former foster youth. 

The new law will only begin affecting SNAP eligibility when someone first applies for benefits or renews their case on or after Jan. 1, 2026. For most people, it will begin the month after their renewal is due or the month after they first apply for SNAP, giving households time to understand and prepare for this change.  

“These are federal requirements, not state policy, but our job is to make sure New Mexicans don’t lose food benefits because they didn’t know about the changes,” said Niki Kozlowski, director of HCA’s Income Support Division. “We know this may be stressful for families who depend on SNAP. Our staff can help you understand whether you qualify for an exception or how to report your work or volunteer hours.” 

What’s changing 

Under the new federal law: 

• Adults ages 55–64 must now meet work rules. 
• Parents or caregivers with dependents ages 14 and older must now meet work rules unless an exception applies. 
• Veterans, people experiencing homelessness and former foster youth are no longer automatically exempt. 
• Local waivers are now limited to areas with unemployment above 10 percent. 
• Native Americans are exempt and do not have to comply with this new rule.  

These rules apply when you next apply for or renew SNAP benefits after Jan. 1, 2026. 

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Who these rules apply to 
The work rules apply to you if: 

• You are between ages 18 and 64. 
• You are physically and mentally able to work. 
• You are not responsible for the care of a child under age 14. 

If an exception does NOT apply to you, you must work, volunteer, attend school or job training for a total of 80 hours a month to keep your benefits. You can combine activities to complete the 80 hours a month. 

Who is exempt 
You are exempt from the work rules if any of the following apply: 

• You under age 18 or age 65 and older. 
• You receive SSI or general assistance disability benefits. 
• You have a physical or mental disability that prevents work. 
• You are meeting TANF work requirements. 
• You are caring for a child under age 14 or for an incapacitated person. 
• You are caring for a household member with a disability. 
• You are receiving unemployment benefits. 
• You are in a drug or alcohol treatment program. 
• You are enrolled at least half-time in school, training, or higher education. 
• You are pregnant. 
• You are considered Native American under 25 U.S.C. 1603 or 1679. 
• You are a resident of Luna County, Taos Pueblo, Tesuque Pueblo, Laguna Pueblo or San Fellipe Pueblo. 

What you need to know 

• You must work or participate in approved activities for 80 hours per month. 
• Hours may include paid work, work in exchange for goods, or volunteer service. 
• You may also meet the requirement through education, job training or through federal, state or local work programs. 
• The new rule applies the next time you apply for or renew SNAP on or after Jan. 1, 2026. 
• Current SNAP eligibility rules will not change before that date. 

How to report work requirements or exceptions 

SNAP customers can report their work activities or exceptions: 

• Online: YES.NM.GOV 
• Phone: 1-800-283-4465 (7 a.m.–6:30 p.m., Mon–Fri) 
• In person: Local HCA Income Support Division office. 

If benefits stop, individuals can regain eligibility by meeting the 80-hour requirement for 30 consecutive days and reapplying. If they qualify for an exception, they can report it at any time to restart benefits. 

For more information, visit HCA.NM.Gov/updates-about-federal-changes or call 

1-800-283-4465. If you need help finding a job, visit www.dws.state.nm.us. 

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Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Who will be affected by the new SNAP work rules? 

The new rules affect adults ages 18 to 64 who are able to work and do not have children under 14 living with them. Some parents or caregivers with older kids (ages 14–17) will also need to meet the new work rules. 

2. What counts as a “qualifying activity”? 

To keep getting SNAP, you must do at least 80 hours each month of one or more of these: 

• Work for pay (part-time or full-time). 
• Be self-employed. 
• Take part in a job training or work program. 
• Go to school or a GED/vocational class. 
• Volunteer or do community service. 
• Be in the SNAP Employment & Training (E&T) program. 

You can combine different activities to reach 80 hours. 

3. When do the new rules start? 

The new requirements may apply to anyone who doesn’t meet an exception who applies or renews SNAP benefits after January 1, 2026. If you already get SNAP, your eligibility will not change before your first renewal after that date. 

4. What if I don’t meet the work rules? 

If you don’t meet the requirements of the ABAWD Time-Limit-Rule, you can only receive SNAP for 3 months during a 3- year period.  

5. How can I tell if I’m exempt or need help? 

Call the Health Care Authority (HCA) at 1-800-283-4465 or visit your local HCA Income Support Division office. Staff can help you find out if you’re exempt, connect you to job or volunteer programs. 

6. How do I report my work or volunteer hours? 

Your work hours will be checked when you apply or renew your SNAP benefits. Once you verify your hours, if they fall below 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month, you must report this to the Income Support Division (ISD). If ISD is able to verify your hours you will not have to do anything further. If ISD is unable to verify you will have to provide proof. You may need to show proof of your hours, such as: 

• Pay stubs or timesheets 
• Class or training attendance records 
• Letters from your job, school, or volunteer program 

To report a change in hours: 

• Go to Yes.NM.gov 
• Log in or create an account. 
• Click “Check My Benefits” or “View My Case.” 
• Choose “Report a Change” and enter your new work or activity hours. 

You can also call 1-800-283-4465 for help reporting your hours. 

7. What kind of work or activities should I report? 

Report all activities that count toward your 80 hours, including: 

• Paid work (part-time or full-time). 
• Self-employment. 
• Job training or work-experience programs. 
• Education or GED classes. 
• Volunteering or community service. 
• SNAP Employment & Training (E&T) hours. 

8. What proof do I need when reporting? 

You may need to show proof of your hours, such as: 

• Pay stubs or timesheets 
• Class or training attendance records 
• Letters from your job, school, or volunteer program 

If you’re not sure what to submit, contact your local HCA Income Support Division office. 

9. What happens if I don’t report my hours? 

If you don’t report your hours — and you don’t qualify for an exception— your benefits may stop after three months. You can get SNAP again once you meet the 80-hour work or volunteer rule or become exempt. 

10. Where can I get help or more information? 

To apply, renew and manage your benefits, visit YES.NM.GOV or call 1-800-283-4465. 

To learn more about the new federal changes, visit Updates about Federal Changes – New Mexico Health Care Authority 

HCA staff can: 

• Teach you how to report your hours. 
• Explain what activities count. 
• Check if you fall under an exception from the new rules. 

11. How can I report if I qualify for an exception? 

If you think you qualify for an exception, tell the Health Care Authority right away. You can report it in any of these ways: 

• Online: Go to YES.NM.GOV , sign in to your account, and report your exception. 
• By phone: Call the HCA Customer Service Center at 1-800-283-4465, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 
• In person: Visit your local HCA Income Support Division office.
  • For HCA Office locations, click here.  

HCA staff can help you find out if you qualify and tell you what proof you may need, such as a doctor’s note, proof of pregnancy, or documents showing you care for someone with a disability or a child under 14. 

12. How do I regain SNAP eligibility? 

If SNAP benefits stop, individuals can regain eligibility by meeting the work requirement for 30 consecutive days and reapplying for benefits. If they qualify for an exception, they can report it at any time to restart their SNAP benefits.