SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Thousands of New Mexico residents will be required to complete paid or unpaid work in order to receive government food assistance after they ring in the new year.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that beginning Friday, most childless adults without disabilities and between the ages of 18 to 49 who receive benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will have to prove they spend 80 hours a month in an approved work activity to continue receiving monthly benefits.
Gov. Susana Martinez's administration published new rules Wednesday, ending a contentious process in which members of nonprofits and the public voiced objections to the stricter regulations from the New Mexico Human Services Department.