Family Resource Guide

Supporting Families Impacted by Layoffs and SNAP Benefit Changes in New Mexico Updated: October 2025

Families across New Mexico are facing uncertainty due to recent federal layoffs and changes in food assistance (SNAP) benefits. Family Friendly New Mexico (FFNM) is sharing the following trusted resources to help families stay connected to employment, food, and support services.

Family-Friendly Employers can help by:

  • Sharing this resource sheet with employees and community partners.
  • Offering flexibility or leave options for affected workers.
  • Hosting or sponsoring emergency food drives.
  • Connecting staff to local mental-health or childcare supports.

Additional Impacts To Know About

A federal shutdown or funding cuts can ripple across services our families rely on:

  • Healthcare: Medicaid and Medicare remain active, but some public-health programs, inspections, and research may face delays.
  • Unemployment & Job Support: Federal employees should file state unemployment claims promptly; delays may occur in federal verifications.
  • Housing & Rent Assistance: HUD and USDA Rural Housing programs may pause inspections, payments, or approvals. Stay in touch with local housing authorities.
  • Small Business & Loans: SBA loan approvals and federal contracting may slow, affecting small-business employers.
  • Tax and Permit Processing: IRS and other federal administrative agencies may experience backlog delays.

What You Can Do:

  • Apply early for any state-run assistance programs.
  • Communicate proactively with housing, childcare, or benefits agencies.
  • Use trusted community organizations and helplines (2-1-1) for local updates and aid.

Share & Stay Informed

Family Friendly New Mexico will continue to monitor federal and state updates impacting families. Follow us for ongoing resources:

Government Statements (updated 10/27/25):

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Statement on the SNAP Crisis

“For New Mexico, that’s 460,000 people in our state — 21 percent of our population, the highest participation rate in the nation…My administration is immediately evaluating every available legal and administrative option, working closely with our Health Care Authority, food banks, and community partners to protect vulnerable families — including children, seniors, and people with disabilities — and we are expediting the $8 million we allocated for food banks, though that’s only a fraction of the $80 to $90 million in monthly SNAP benefits New Mexicans rely on.”

Resources for Families

1. Employment and Income Support

New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS)

  • File for Unemployment Insurance (UI) if you are a laid-off or furloughed federal employee.
  • Call: 1-877-664-6984 | Website: dws.state.nm.us
  • Tip: Gather your federal employment records, recent paystubs, and supervisor contact info before applying.

New Mexico State Personnel Office (SPO)

  • The State of New Mexico is assisting laid-off federal employees interested in transitioning to state service.
  • Email: applicant.support@spo.nm.gov | Call: (505) 476-7759
  • Website: spo.state.nm.us

Workforce Connection Centers

  • Free career counseling, resume help, and job-matching services statewide.
  • Find a center: jobs.state.nm.us

2. Food Assistance and Emergency Resources

Restaurants offering free meals to kids: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FBHcMmxmV/

New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) — SNAP Support:

  • Call for questions about SNAP eligibility, renewals, or benefit loss: 1-800-283-4465
  • Apply or renew benefits: www.hca.nm.gov
  • Note: HCA is coordinating emergency food distribution if SNAP benefits are delayed.

Find Local Food Assistance:

  • Roadrunner Food Bank (Statewide): rrfb.org/find-help | (505) 349-5340
  • The Storehouse: Storehouse New Mexico provides free groceries for nearly 80,000 hungry New Mexicans a year, open Wednesday, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9 am to noon. Hours may vary around holidays. The food pantry is located at 106 Broadway Blvd SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102, which is in downtown Albuquerque just one building south of Central on the east side of the street. www.StorehouseNM.org
  • The Food Depot (Northern NM): thefooddepot.org | (505) 471-1633
  • Food Bank of Eastern NM (Clovis area): (575) 763-6130
  • ECHO Food Bank (Farmington / Four Corners): (505) 326-3770
  • Casa de Peregrinos (Las Cruces / Doña Ana County): (575) 523-5542
  • The Community Pantry (Gallup / McKinley County): (505) 726-8068
  • ShareNM Directory: Search for pantries by ZIP code — sharenm.org

School-Based Meal Programs:

  • Families with school-age children can continue to access free breakfasts and lunches through local districts even if SNAP benefits are interrupted.
  • Contact your district nutrition office or visit newmexico.gov/education for local program details.

3. Housing, Utilities, and Financial Assistance

Kit Carson Electric Cooperative announced aid to federal employees in partnership with Taos Community Foundation.

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)

  • Apply for help paying utility bills or preventing disconnection:

New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA)

  • Offers foreclosure prevention and housing-stability programs.
  • housingnm.org | (505) 843-6880

United Way 211 Helpline

  • Call 2-1-1 or visit uwcnm.org/211 to find local assistance for food, rent, childcare, and transportation.

4. Childcare and Family Support

Early Childhood Education & Care Department (ECECD)

Family Resource Centers (Statewide)

5. Mental Health and Community Wellbeing

NM Crisis & Access Line (24/7)

  • If financial or family stress feels overwhelming, call 1-855-662-7474 or text 988.
  • Free, confidential, and available statewide.

 

Compiled by: Family Friendly New Mexico Board of Directors and Business Leadership Council. Family Friendly New Mexico shares these resources to help connect employers and families with support. This information isn’t legal advice, and programs may change—please double-check details with each organization.