SNAP BENEFITS TO BE DISBURSED FOR FEBRUARY IN NM

NEW MEXICO (KSMX) – The New Mexico Human Services Department says it will participate in a federal waiver option that will clear the way for benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to be issued early.

The agency made the announcement Wednesday, a day after the federal government asked states to issue February food stamps benefits on or before Jan. 20 so that they can be paid to the nearly 40 million Americans in the program should the shutdown continue.

The program is already funded for January. New Mexico officials say the option will be a big relief to the 455,000 New Mexicans who rely on the benefits.