SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Gov. Susana Martinez's administration is proposing to re-impose work requirements on low-income New Mexicans to qualify for food stamps.
Starting in October, the state plans to restore a 20-hour-a-week work requirement for childless adults to get food stamps. That was suspended in 2009 because of the national recession.
The administration also proposes a new food stamp requirement for parents of children age 6 and older. Adults would have to search for a job or participate in community service.
Social services advocates say the work-related requirements are a bad idea when New Mexico has been losing jobs.
Human Services spokesman Matt Kennicott said the requirements are similar to what's required for other public assistance, including the state's welfare-to-work program.
About 420,000 New Mexicans receive food stamps averaging $265 a month.