New Mexico Food Stamps: When SNAP Payments Are Scheduled in February 2023

SNAP, which stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides nutrition benefits to individuals and families who meet federal and state eligibility guidelines. Benefits are distributed monthly to New Mexico EBT cards by the Human Services Department (HSD) and your deposit schedule is based on the last two digits of your Social Security number.

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SNAP eligibility in New Mexico is determined based on your financial information — such as income and what you own. You can apply for SNAP or renew your benefits and other public assistance programs on the YesNM portal. If you prefer paper, you can download and mail your SNAP application or visit the nearest HSD field office.

Here’s a look at the February 2023 New Mexico SNAP schedule:

Note: Your SNAP benefits may also be issued on a compressed staggered schedule. Call the New Mexico SNAP hotline (1-800-432-6217) for more information.

Even if you recently applied, you don’t have to wait for benefits. A partial benefit is deposited to your New Mexico EBT card the day after your application is processed and then once per month. New Mexico SNAP benefits are distributed from the first of the month through the twentieth, based on the last two digits of your Social Security number.

Use your SNAP EBT card to purchase food at most major grocery stores and some retailers across the country or at locations that display the Quest logo. You can also double your SNAP dollars at farmers’ markets that participate in the Double Up Food Bucks program.

You can use SNAP benefits to purchase the following food items:

• Fruits and vegetables

• Meat, poultry and fish

• Dairy products

• Breads and cereals

• Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages

• Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat

SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, vitamins, medicines, supplements, live animals and other non-food items. New Mexico doesn’t participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), which means you cannot use your EBT card to buy hot meals prepared at the point of sale.

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New Mexico EBT cardholders qualify for other perks, including discounts on certain products and services. For example, SNAP recipients can sign up for an Amazon Prime EBT discounted subscription for 50% off or sign up for the Federal Lifeline Program to receive free or low-cost landline or cell phone service. Your EBT card can also be used for free or discounted admission on your next visit to a museum, aquarium or zoo.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: New Mexico Food Stamps: When SNAP Payments Are Scheduled in February 2023