A free directory of 1434 places to get help in and around Grant County, New Mexico: shelter, food, recovery, health care, benefits, legal help and more. Kept up to date by the Silver City Gospel Mission.
Wants to apply for SNAP, Medicaid or cash helpUse when someone wants to apply for SNAP food benefits, Medicaid (Turquoise Care), or cash help (TANF or General Assistance), or needs to renew them.
Lost their EBT card, or SNAP benefits stoppedUse when someone lost their EBT card, had it stolen, forgot the PIN, sees no money on the card, or got a letter that SNAP is ending or has stopped.
Gets Social Security and needs a payee or representativeUse when someone on SSI or Social Security needs someone to manage their check (a payee), wants a different payee, has a payee problem, or wants someone to help with their claim.
A senior (55+ or 60+) needs helpUse when an older guest (55 or older) needs food, help at home, Medicare help, or may not be safe.
Who it's for: Anyone who needs ID or documents for work, housing or benefits. NO ID AT ALL - suggested order: 1) BIRTH CERTIFICATE (born in NM): Grant County Public Health Office, 2610 N. Silver St., Suite 7 (call 575-538-5318 first; vital records hours are limited). Form 607 plus the homeless Self-Attestation form = free (otherwise $10). With no photo ID, bring 2 or more backup papers (Social Security card, medical records, school records, tax form, baptismal certificate, voter card, tribal or school ID), or have a parent, sibling, grandparent, adult child or spouse with ID request it. Born in another state: use the CDC Where to Write listing. 2) STATE ID: MVD Silver City field office, 1876 Hwy 180 E (book an appointment, 888-683-4636). The Standard ID (not good for flights or federal buildings) is easiest: an identity paper from MVD List A (birth certificate, Social Security card, NM Corrections or federal prison photo ID, DD-214, Medicaid or Medicare card, SNAP/benefits printout from the HCA office, medical record under 1 year old (not ER/urgent care), Mexican consular ID, tribal ID, or an ID expired less than 1 year). If homeless, an affidavit or notarized letter from Mission staff stating where the person stays or receives services replaces the 2 proofs of NM address. The ID card is free if homeless (the person or the Mission signs an attestation; no notary needed) or 75+. A temporary paper ID is given the same day. A REAL ID also needs a birth certificate or passport plus SSN proof and 2 address proofs. 3) SOCIAL SECURITY CARD (free): with the new ID, order online at ssa.gov/myaccount (US citizens 18+, no changes), or start online and finish at the Las Cruces office (2141 Summit Ct.) within 45 days; questions 800-772-1213. 4) JUST RELEASED FROM NM PRISON: ask the probation/parole officer (Silver City 575-388-7312) to help with documents; keep the NMCD photo ID and release papers.
NM Department of Veterans Services - Benefits Division
State veteran property tax exemptions and reduced vehicle feesconfirmed October 2026
Benefits · Veterans · Utilities and bills
Up to $10,000 off the taxable value of a veteran's property; full exemption for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability on their home; reduced car registration for veterans without enough property; free state park pass.
Who it's for: NM-resident veterans (honorable discharge) and unmarried surviving spouses; disabled veteran exemption requires a VA service-connected disability rating.
New Mexico Works (job help for families on TANF cash aid)confirmed October 2026
Benefits · Jobs and training · Children, youth and families
Job program for people getting TANF cash aid. Career Link pays for part-time (20 hr/week) work with private employers; Wage Subsidy places people in full-time government jobs. Also helps with HSE (GED) and training.
Constituent Services (complaints about benefits handling)confirmed October 2026
Benefits
HCA's constituent liaison handles complaints and stuck cases about HCA services (SNAP, Medicaid, cash aid) when the local office or call center has not solved the problem.
Medicaid choice for Native Americans (IHS, tribal clinics, fee-for-service)confirmed October 2026
Medical care · Benefits · Native American services
Most Native Americans on NM Medicaid can choose to stay in regular fee-for-service Medicaid instead of a Turquoise Care plan, and can always use IHS or tribal clinics either way. Customer service helps enroll or switch.
Who it's for: American Indian and Alaska Native people on NM Medicaid. Can opt out of a plan in the first 90 days of each 12-month lock-in period. An HCA Native American Liaison is reachable by an online contact form.
Office of Fair Hearings: appeal a SNAP, Medicaid, cash aid or LIHEAP decisionconfirmed October 2026
Benefits · Legal help, courts and re-entry
If benefits are denied, cut or closed, ask for a fair hearing by phone, mail, email or fax. A judge usually hears the case by phone. Medicaid health plan problems: finish the plan's own appeal first. SNAP: ask within 90 days of the notice.
Who it's for: Anyone who applied for or gets SNAP, Medicaid (Turquoise Care), TANF/General Assistance, LIHEAP or other HCA benefits, or child support enforcement, and disagrees with a decision. A helper can be named as authorized representative.
Bring: Name and case number, the notice you got, the reason you disagree and what benefit was affected, and a phone number to reach you.
Turquoise Care Community Benefit (in-home care instead of a nursing home)confirmed October 2026
Benefits · Seniors and disability
Medicaid program for people who qualify for nursing-home care but want to stay home: personal care aides (a family member may be paid), respite, adult day, home-delivered meals, home changes, emergency alert buttons. Ask the plan care coordinator.
Who it's for: Turquoise Care (Medicaid) members who meet nursing facility level of care, assessed at home by their plan's care coordinator. Not for 24-hour care. People not on Turquoise Care: call the Aging and Disability Resource Center 1-800-432-2080.
EBT card help line (FIS, 24 hours): lost or stolen card, PIN, balancenot yet confirmed: call first
Food · Benefits
24-hour line to cancel a lost or stolen New Mexico EBT card, order a new one, pick or change a PIN, and check a balance. Also works through the ebtEDGE app or ebtedge.com.
NM Health Care Authority - Income Support Division (Grant County office)10 services
State burial assistance (up to $200) for people on assistanceconfirmed October 2026
Benefits · Death and burial
The state may pay up to $200 toward funeral costs for someone who was getting state financial or medical assistance, when the estate and legally responsible relatives cannot pay and no one else will. Family or the funeral home can request it.
Where: 3088 32nd St Bypass, Suite A, Silver City, NM (map)
Who it's for: Person who died was receiving state financial/medical assistance; resources available for the funeral under $600 (counts cash, burial insurance, Social Security/VA death benefits); spouse or parents of minor unable to pay. Claims decided within 30 days.
Bring: Death certificate, funeral home bill, info on any insurance or death benefits
Call first · Free
Cash assistance (TANF, General Assistance)confirmed October 2026
Benefits · Children, youth and families · 1 miles from Silver City
Monthly cash help for very low-income families with children (TANF) or adults who cannot work (GA).
Benefits printout or letter to use as ID and address proof at MVDconfirmed October 2026
Benefits · ID and documents · 2 miles from Silver City
People on SNAP, Medicaid or cash aid can ask for a benefits profile printout or award letter. MVD accepts these (dated within a year) as identity and NM residency proof, which helps people with no other papers get an ID.
Medicaid for Working Disabled Individuals (WDI)confirmed October 2026
Medical care · Benefits · Seniors and disability · 3 miles from Silver City
Medicaid category that lets people with disabilities keep full Medicaid while working, with no premiums or copays, at income levels well above regular Medicaid. If you also have Medicare, it pays Medicare premiums and deductibles. Also covers some people
Hours: Lobby Mon-Fri 8:00 am-4:30 pm, closed 12:00-1:30 pm for lunch. Phone line (1-800-283-4465) Mon-Fri 7:00 am-6:30 pm.
Where: 3088 32nd St Bypass, Suite A, Silver City, NM (map)
Who it's for: Adults 18+ with SSDI or a documented severe medical/psychological condition who are working (2023 flyer: at least $1,640 per quarter) and meet income/resource limits
Bring: SSDI award letter or medical records, pay stubs, proof of address, bank statements and other asset records, signed medical releases
Hours: State website lists the Lordsburg office open Tuesdays only, 9:00 am-4:00 pm. Other days call 1-800-283-4465 (Mon-Fri 7:00 am-6:30 pm) or use the Silver City office.
Trained Roadrunner staff help people apply for SNAP (food stamps), answer questions and help with keeping benefits under new work rules. Call, email snap@rrfb.org or fill out the web form; they call back within about 2 business days.
Who it's for: Anyone in New Mexico who may qualify for SNAP, including single adults, seniors, people with disabilities and people experiencing homelessness.
SNAP Outreach Hotline (help applying or recertifying by phone)confirmed October 2026
Food · Benefits
Trained staff pre-screen for SNAP and help people complete or renew a SNAP application by phone, statewide. They also train partner agencies and volunteers to help clients apply.
Who it's for: Anyone in New Mexico who wants help applying for or renewing SNAP, including people experiencing homelessness, seniors, people with disabilities and working families.
Bring: ID, income information and household details if available; staff can explain what documents are needed.
USDA National Hunger Hotline (Hunger Free America)
National Hunger Hotline - find food near you (English and Spanish)confirmed October 2026
Food · Benefits
Call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (Spanish 1-877-8-HAMBRE) to find nearby food pantries, meal sites, SNAP, WIC and summer meals for kids. Also by text and online. Good backup when a client is traveling or moving.
Western New Mexico University - One Stop2 services
Student One Stop (basic needs center)confirmed October 2026
Benefits · School, GED and reading
WNMU basic-needs center for students: the student food pantry, SNAP help and referrals to housing, health and other services. 3rd floor of the Student Memorial Building; weekdays 8am-4pm; bring your Mustang Card.
Where: Student Life Office, 3rd Floor, Student Memorial Building, 1000 W College Ave, Silver City, NM (map)
Who it's for: WNMU students (on-campus and online); show Mustang Card. The monthly mobile food pantry (1st Wednesday) is open to students, staff, faculty and the community.
SNAP application help and resource referrals for WNMU studentsconfirmed October 2026
Food · Benefits · School, GED and reading · 1 miles from Silver City
One Stop staff help WNMU students with SNAP eligibility questions, applications and enrollment, and connect them to local food, housing, health care, transportation and money help. For on-campus and online students.
CHAMPVA health coverage for families of certain disabled or deceased veteransnot yet confirmed: call first
Medical care · Benefits · Veterans
Health coverage that shares the cost of care for the spouse or children of a veteran rated permanently and totally disabled from service, or who died from a service-connected condition. Not for people who can get TRICARE.
Who it's for: Spouse, surviving spouse or dependent child of a veteran rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability, or who died from one; not eligible for TRICARE
Bring: VA Form 10-10d; veteran's VA rating or death papers; marriage or birth certificates; Medicare card if 65+
HMS Family Support Services (benefits, SNAP, utility help, insurance sign-up)confirmed October 2026
Housing and rent help · Food · Medical care · Benefits · Utilities and bills · 1 miles from Silver City
Community health workers help with SSI/disability applications (HMS is a state SOAR provider), SNAP, utility help, Medicaid/Medicare/exchange enrollment, sliding-fee sign-up, and housing and transportation referrals.
Family Support Services (benefits help, parenting classes, car seats)confirmed October 2026
Benefits · Seniors and disability · Children, youth and families · 45 miles from Silver City
Staff help people apply for SNAP, utility help and Medicaid/Medicare/beWellnm; housing and ride referrals; New Eyes glasses vouchers; child car seats; parenting classes; help for pregnant/parenting teens and seniors.
NM Department of Veterans Services - Veteran Service Officer
Veterans benefits helpconfirmed October 2026
Benefits · Veterans · 1 miles from Silver City
State veteran service officer helps veterans and families apply for VA disability, pension, health care, education and New Mexico state veteran benefits.
Where: WNMU campus, Juan Chacon Bldg., Room 138-A, 1000 W. College Ave., Silver City, NM (map)
Who it's for: Veterans and families
Bring: DD-214 (or NA 13038), VA award letter and VA letters, NM driver's license/ID or other NM residency proof; widows bring marriage and death certificates.
Case management and representative payeeconfirmed October 2026
Mental health and crisis · Benefits · Seniors and disability · 1 miles from Silver City
Intensive case management (including in-home visits) for people with severe mental illness, plus professional representative payee service with weekly contact to manage SSI/SSDI money and keep people stable at home.
Social Security disability representative (SSI/SSDI claims)confirmed October 2026
Mental health and crisis · Benefits · Seniors and disability · 1 miles from Silver City
Certified non-attorney Social Security disability representative who helps people apply for and pursue SSI/SSDI claims, specializing in people with mental illness.
Free tax preparation (claim Earned Income and Working Families credits)confirmed October 2026
Benefits · Money and banking · 1 miles from Silver City
IRS-certified volunteers and WNMU business students prepare and e-file tax returns for free during tax season, helping people claim refunds and credits such as the EITC and NM Working Families Tax Credit, even with low income.
Benefits · Money and banking · 1 miles from Silver City
WNMU business students, IRS-certified through Tax Help New Mexico, prepare and e-file federal and NM returns for free, including credits like EITC and NM rebates that can bring cash to people with little income.
Financial Assistance Program (charity care)confirmed October 2026
Medical care · Benefits · 2 miles from Silver City
Hospital bill help for uninsured or underinsured patients: free care under 200% of poverty, big discounts at 200-400%, hardship review, self-pay discounts and interest-free payment plans up to 1 year. Toll-free 866-574-4989.
Indigent burial or cremation assistanceconfirmed October 2026
Benefits · Death and burial · 2 miles from Silver City
Under NM law the county of residence pays for burial or cremation of an indigent person when no family or estate can pay (statute allows up to about $600). Does not cover viewing or funeral services. Families, funeral homes or the Office of the Medical In
Grant County Indigent Hospital and County Health Care Fund
Indigent hospital/ambulance claimsconfirmed October 2026
Medical care · Benefits · 2 miles from Silver City
County indigent fund helps pay hospital and ambulance bills for low-income county residents. No dedicated phone is published; call the county main line and ask for the indigent claims administrator, or ask Gila Regional Patient Financial Services.
NM Health Care Authority - Child Support Services Division
Child support (in-state line)confirmed October 2026
Benefits · Legal help, courts and re-entry · Children, youth and families · 2 miles from Silver City
Establish/enforce/modify child support; Silver City office at 3088 32nd St Bypass Suite B. HCA now routes child support calls through 1-800-283-4465 (ask for child support).
NM Health Care Authority - Refugee Resettlement Program
Refugee Cash Assistance and Refugee Medical Assistanceconfirmed October 2026
Medical care · Benefits · 3 miles from Silver City
Short-term state-run cash aid and medical coverage for newly arrived refugees and others with ORR-eligible status who do not qualify for regular TANF or Medicaid, plus refugee social services. Applied for through Income Support Division offices.
Hours: Statewide call center Mon-Fri 7:00 am-6:30 pm
Where: 3088 32nd St Bypass, Suite A, Silver City, NM (map)
Who it's for: Refugees, asylees and other ORR-eligible immigrants living in NM. Since May 2025, Refugee Cash Assistance lasts only 4 months from eligibility (was 12). Cannot get other state cash aid or SSI at the same time; employable adults must register for work. SSN not required.
Bring: Immigration documents (I-94, asylum approval), ID, proof of income
Gila Valley Market - SNAP/EBT and Double Up Food Bucksconfirmed October 2026
Food · Benefits · 28 miles from Silver City
Year-round farmers market in Gila run with the library. Use your EBT card for food tokens (produce, meat, cheese, eggs) and get Double Up Food Bucks: spend $20 SNAP, get $20 more for fresh produce. WIC vouchers handed out on some dates.
Some help people need still isn't available in Grant County, like inpatient detox, a local public defender office, and help applying for disability. See the list, and tell us if your organization can help fill one, or if you know of help we've missed.
📞 We need volunteers to keep this guide up to date
Phone numbers, hours and services change all the time. Volunteers call each place to make sure its listing is still right, so no one makes a trip for nothing. You can do it from home, on your own schedule. An hour a week makes a real difference.
For other organizations: this directory is free to use and share. Download the whole directory (spreadsheet, updated live).
Please credit the Silver City Gospel Mission, and remember that hours and services change: call ahead before sending someone.
Kept by the Silver City Gospel Mission · 111 S. Texas St., Silver City, NM 88061 · 575-388-5071 · Updated October 28, 2026.
Information comes from the providers themselves, public sources and our staff. It is offered as a help, not a guarantee; please call ahead.