1Who has to do it?
SNAP (food stamps)
- Started January 1, 2026.
- Adults 18 to 64.
- Who do not have a child under 14 at home.
- Grant County is not excused from this rule.
Medicaid (Turquoise Care)
- Starts January 1, 2027.
- Adults 19 to 64 in the "Other Adults" group.
- You will also have to renew every 6 months (starting March 2027).
2What do you have to do?
Show 80 hours a month. That is about 20 hours a week.
These all count. You can mix them:
- A job (paid work)
- Volunteering for a nonprofit or church
- Job training or a work program
- School at least half-time
The same 80 hours count for both SNAP and Medicaid. Keep proof: pay stubs, or a signed log of volunteer hours.
You can volunteer at the Silver City Gospel Mission to earn hours: soup kitchen, food pantry, clothing bank, thrift store or front desk. Ask the staff lead to sign your hours log. Check with Income Support that they accept it.
For SNAP, if you don't show the hours, SNAP stops after 3 months. You can get it back by doing 80 hours in 30 days, or by showing you don't have to do it.
3Who does NOT have to do it?
If any of these is true for you, tell Income Support. You may not have to do the 80 hours.
- You care for a child 13 or younger. This includes single moms and dads, and grandparents raising kids.
- You are pregnant. (For Medicaid, also for 12 months after the baby is born.)
- You are under 18 or 65 and older (Medicaid: under 19 or 65 and older).
- A health problem, disability or addiction makes work hard. A note from a doctor, nurse, counselor or social worker helps.
- You are in drug or alcohol treatment.
- You care for someone who can't care for themselves.
- You are Native American.
- You already work 30 hours a week, or you get or applied for unemployment.
- SNAP only: you have been homeless more than 6 months, or more than once this past year. Ask about being "unfit for work".
- Medicaid only: a veteran rated 100% disabled, out of jail in the last 3 months, or a former foster youth under 26.
Being a veteran or being homeless no longer counts by itself, but many people still qualify another way on this list.
4What to do now
- Open every letter from New Mexico Health Care Authority (Medicaid letters come in a turquoise envelope). A letter does not mean you lost your benefits. Answer by the date on the letter.
- Keep your address up to date at yes.nm.gov or at the Income Support office. No safe address? Use the Mission's free mail service: Your Name, c/o Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City, NM 88061.
- Write down your hours every week and keep proof.
- If you think you don't have to do it, say so. Ask for the exemption and bring a note if you have one.
Need help? Come to the Silver City Gospel Mission.
111 S. Texas St., Silver City · 575-388-5071. Our case worker can help you read letters, fill out forms and check if you don't have to do the 80 hours.
Updated November 1, 2026 from the New Mexico Health Care Authority (hca.nm.gov/snapchanges and hca.nm.gov/medicaidchanges) and federal law. Rules can change. This is general information, not legal advice. Call Income Support or the Mission to check your own case.