Application deadline for economic relief payment is approaching

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (CBS4) — Some extra money could be coming soon for those who qualify in New Mexico just as inflation continues to impact people in the borderland.

The New Mexico Human Services Department has been accepting applications from low-income residents since Monday Sept 26 and must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday.

New Mexico Legislature allocated $10 million for economic relief payments this fall.

A limited number of applicants will be accepted based on finding availability.

One time payments of at least $400 will be provided to households who qualify.

Those with the lowest incomes will be prioritized.

To qualify for the relief, applicants must be a New Mexico resident, and have at least one of the following:

• New Mexico driver’s license number
• Individual taxpayer identification number
• Social security number

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The online application is available at the Yes New Mexico website.

People will be asked to provide some personal information including:

• First and last name
• Address
• Direct deposit information

Payments will be processed by the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department and will be issued by the end of November 2022.

Applicants will be notified by mail and electronically about the status of their application.

CBS4 spoke with some Las Cruces residents about the help the state is providing.

One woman said the money is coming at the right time.

“I think our families in New Mexico need all the help they can get right now, the pandemics been hard on a lot of people. It’s important that we help people get back on their feet," Andrea Fletcher said.

But another said it's not just families who need the help.

“I think it’s a good thing for the households that have children and that are low and the parents are working cause the economics right now are really bad, but I also think it is unfair for a lot of us who are singularly by ourselves are still trying to get help,” Jezirae Alcala said.

Both, however, agreed that the extra $400 payment will be helpful to those in need.

“Families are one tragedy away from falling through the cracks. It could be fixing a car so they have transportation. It could be helping with rent, medical expenses, there's just all kinds of things that people can use it for," Fletcher said.

“They could be able to maybe put shoes on their kids feet, put food in their kids mouths," Alcala.

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