Deputy Secretary Kyra Ochoa

New Mexico Health Care Authority News:

• • • • • Eight counties gain temporary hot food access via EBT

SANTA FE – Effective immediately, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers in Lincoln, Chaves, De Baca, Guadalupe, Otero, Sierra, Socorro and Torrance counties can temporarily use their EBT cards to buy hot, ready-to-eat foods from deli departments at authorized retailers.

This emergency measure remains in effect through Aug. 30.

“When disaster happens, families shouldn’t have to worry about how they’re going to put a hot meal on the table,” said Deputy Secretary Kyra Ochoa of the Health Care Authority. “The ability to buy ready-to-eat, warm meals for themselves and their families can make a significant difference as they navigate tough circumstances.”

The emergency hot food waiver allows families affected by recent flooding to access hot meals if they are unable to prepare food at home due to damage or displacement. This temporary benefit helps ease the burden on affected households during this difficult time. The waiver applies only to deli departments at EBT-authorized retailers and does not include restaurants or non-EBT-authorized retailers.

About New Mexico Healthcare Authority:

We talk, interpret and smile in all languages. We provide written information to our customers in both English and Spanish and interpretation services are available in 58 languages through our provider,CTS Language Link. For our hearing- and speech-impaired customers, we utilize Relay New Mexico, a free 24-hour service that ensures equal communication access via the telephone to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled.